foldables

Foldables are products designed to be folded to reduce size, enabling portability or compact storage. In consumer electronics, the term commonly refers to devices that use flexible displays and hinge mechanisms to switch between a compact form and a larger screen.

Common form factors include foldable smartphones and tablets with inner folding screens, as well as foldable laptops and devices that combine multiple displays. Notable examples are smartphones with inward- or outward-folding displays and models such as Galaxy Z Fold, Galaxy Z Flip, and Huawei Mate X, along with laptops like the ThinkPad X1 Fold. Some devices employ dual-screen configurations or book-style folding to achieve a larger viewing area.

Technology centers on flexible displays, typically OLEDs built on bendable substrates such as polyimide, and robust hinge systems. Manufacturing challenges include durability under repeated folding, controlling display creases, sealing against dust and moisture, and achieving acceptable reliability. Software must support transitions between folded and unfolded states, app continuity, and interface resizing to accommodate changing screen real estate.

History of foldables includes early explorations of bendable displays in the mid-to-late 20th century, with commercially available foldables emerging in the late 2010s. Since then, manufacturers have iterated on materials, hinge designs, and form factors to balance usability, durability, and cost.

Market status varies by region and product line, with foldables remaining a relatively niche segment compared to traditional devices. They influence product design and research into flexible displays, even as questions about long-term durability and pricing continue to shape adoption and development.