As more and more smartphone brands invest in foldable phones, the variety on the market is increasing. However, despite the progress the foldable format has made in recent years, I am still hesitant to buy a foldable phone for these reasons…

1 The durability problem

I shudder to think back to the days when phones were neither waterproof nor dustproof. Small accidents could completely ruin a device. And as someone who regularly wipes down their smartphone with alcohol, liquid resistance is essential.

However, due to their flexibility, foldable smartphones still have a long way to go in terms of durability. Typically, when you turn on a foldable phone, you’ll be greeted with a series of warnings, including things like:

• Do not press the phone screen with hard or sharp objects.
• Keep the phone away from credit cards and devices that are affected by magnets.
• Avoid exposing the phone to liquids, sand and dust.

While Samsung has made some strides in the durability of its phones, there’s still a lot that can go wrong with foldable devices. Plus, you can’t attach a screen protector like you would with a regular smartphone.

2 They are still very expensive

The relatively new technology of foldable screens comes at a price, even if the rest of the phone’s specs aren’t that impressive. For example, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 was launched at a price of $1,899. For comparison, the company’s non-foldable flagship, the Galaxy S24 Ultra, cost $1,299.

Depending on what you want from a phone, you could argue that the S24 Ultra is the better deal; with a built-in S-Pen, larger battery, and more powerful camera lenses.

Some companies are working on lower-cost alternatives, but these will not necessarily be introduced to the U.S. market.

3 The technology still needs to be refined

While companies have improved the technology behind foldable phones, there is still a long way to go before the purchasing decision can be made easily without numerous compromises.

Many foldable phones leave the crease visible, and I’ve come across devices that have been used for a long period of time that have started to show signs of wear and dead pixels along the crease.

The fact that these phones usually have dual batteries as well usually results in smaller batteries, around 4,400mAh, rather than the 5,000mAh we see on many flagships. While apps can adapt to the form factor, I feel like not enough apps take full advantage of the technology.

There are reasons to love foldable phones, but often I worry too much about damage or don’t use the foldable features often enough to really get any benefit from them.

4 The updates were done iteratively

While the technology is mature, I feel like many companies have already fallen into the habit of releasing small updates between generations that don’t justify the price increase. This is a problem with both foldable and non-foldable smartphone formats, but I find it’s particularly glaring with foldable phones.

Some companies are more guilty of this than others, but often it feels like we’re getting minor design improvements rather than real progress. If companies can find a way to make significant strides in durability and usability, I’ll be more likely to consider buying a foldable phone.

5 Foldability offers limited advantages

There are two main form factors for foldable phones: book and clamshell. The book format, found on phones like the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Honor Magic V2, has a vertical fold line so you can close the screen like a book. The clamshell or compact format, found on phones like the Oppo N3 Flip and Galaxy Z Flip 6, folds along a horizontal line like a compact mirror or flip phone.

The benefits depend on which form factor you choose. With foldable books, you get a larger screen when you unfold the phone. This can give you a better visual experience and increase productivity when viewing two apps at once.

The advantages of the clamshell form factor are that you can use the bottom part of the phone as a tripod and fold the phone into a smaller size, making it easier to carry. You can also see notifications and camera previews on the cover screen.

While these are cool extra features, given the price and durability limitations of these phones, they’re not worth the trade-offs for me. If I want a bigger screen on my phone, I can switch to a tablet or my PC. And I don’t often need a tripod to take a quick photo.

The apps and features available on cover screens are also still relatively limited. While there are some interesting gimmicks, they don’t exploit the full potential of the form factor.

Don’t get me wrong – phones like the Honor Magic V2 give me high hopes for the future of foldable smartphones. But it will still require a little more refinement and development before I would be willing to invest in a foldable smartphone myself.