Do Foldable Phones Actually Make Sense? Tried Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 to Find Out.
Alright, so foldable phones. You’ve probably seen them popping up everywhere—on ads, in YouTube reviews, maybe even in someone’s hand at a coffee shop. They kinda look futuristic and cool, like something Tony Stark might whip out of his pocket. But here’s the real question: do foldable phones actually make sense, or are they just another tech gimmick that looks flashy but doesn’t really do much?
I’ve been wondering the same thing for a while. So recently, I decided to try one out for myself. The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5. After years of rocking regular flat phones, I figured it was time to see what the hype was about. Spoiler: it’s not all hype, but it’s not all amazing either.
The One I Tried
I got my hands on the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold (not the Flip, the Fold—the one that opens like a little book). First impressions? This thing is chunky. It’s thicker than my old phone when folded and definitely heavier. Like, you notice it in your pocket. But then you open it, and bam—tiny tablet vibes.
It was kinda fun, not gonna lie. Just being able to unfold the screen and get that extra real estate felt satisfying. It’s like having a tablet that fits in your pocket… sort of.
Cool Things About It
Let’s start with the good stuff. The screen is beautiful. When it’s unfolded, scrolling through Instagram or reading an article feels super immersive. I also really liked using it for YouTube and Netflix—just more space to enjoy stuff, you know?
Multitasking is another win. You can have two or even three apps open at once. I had YouTube playing on one side while texting a friend and checking Google Maps on the other. That kind of thing is actually pretty useful, especially if you’re someone who’s always doing ten things at once (like me).
Also, the wow factor is real. People notice. I had two strangers ask me about the phone while I was out. One guy was like, “Whoa, is that the foldable one?” It kinda felt like when smartphones first started getting popular—there’s this curiosity around it.
But Here’s the Catch…
Okay, so while foldable phones are cool, they’re definitely not perfect.
First off, the crease. Yep, the infamous crease in the middle of the screen where it folds—it’s real and you can feel it. At first it was weird, but after a few days I stopped noticing it most of the time. Still, it’s there, and depending on the lighting, it can be kinda annoying.
Then there’s durability. I didn’t drop mine (thankfully), but I was constantly paranoid about it. It just doesn’t feel as tough as a regular phone. Like, with my old phone I’d toss it on the couch or use it with one hand while walking. With the Fold? I was cradling it like a baby. Samsung says it’s more durable now, but I wouldn’t test that theory.
Also, battery life wasn’t great. I guess it makes sense—more screen means more power needed—but I found myself charging it before the day was over. If you’re someone who’s out and about all day without access to a charger, this could be a dealbreaker.
And let’s talk price. These things are expensive. Like, flagship phone plus a tablet kind of expensive. I get that the tech is new and all, but still… it’s a big chunk of change.
Does It Make Sense Then?
So, do foldable phones actually make sense? Well, yes and no.
If you’re into tech and love being an early adopter, you’ll probably enjoy it. There’s something really fun and satisfying about unfolding your phone into a mini tablet. It makes certain things—like reading, watching videos, or multitasking—way better.
But for the average person? I’m not so sure. There’s still a lot of compromises. The size, the battery, the price, and the worry about durability all kind of add up. It feels like we’re still in the early stages of this tech, like the first iPhones or the first flat-screen TVs. Cool to have, but not quite there yet.
I ended up going back to my regular phone after a couple of weeks. Not because I hated the foldable, but because I missed the simplicity. I don’t really need all that extra screen for my day-to-day life. Maybe in a few years, when the tech is more refined and the prices come down, I’ll give it another shot.
Final Thoughts
Trying out a foldable phone was a fun little adventure. It made me think about how much we take our phones for granted, and how wild it is that we’ve come so far in such a short time. The fact that foldable screens even exist is kind of amazing.
But for now, they still feel more like luxury gadgets than practical everyday tools. If you’re curious and have the money to spend, go for it—you’ll probably enjoy it. But if you’re just looking for a solid, reliable phone to get you through the day, the regular slab-style phones are still the way to go.
Let’s see where this foldable thing goes in the next few years. I’m definitely keeping an eye on it.
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