Foldable phones are finally going mainstream. Here’s what they are and who should buy one.

Your phone is about to learn a new party trick. It will fold in half.

On July 22, Samsung takes the stage in London to show off its next folding lineup: a Galaxy Z Fold that’s shorter and wider than before, plus a smaller flip-style model. The teaser says it flat out: “A new shape unfolds.” Then this fall, Apple crashes the party with its first folding iPhone. Two giants, one bendy idea. Suddenly, that slab in your hand looks a little flat.

So let’s break down what a foldable actually is and whether you want one.

🔍 What is a foldable?

Picture a phone that opens like a little book. Closed, it’s a normal phone in your pocket. Flip it open, and boom, a screen close to 8 inches. Basically a mini iPad you can slip in your bag.

Samsung’s been building these for years, so it’s the seasoned pro. Apple’s the new kid. Word is its version opens to a 7.8-inch screen, ditches Face ID for a fingerprint reader, packs two cameras with no zoom lens and starts north of $2,000, likely $2,800 with max storage. The priciest iPhone ever made. (Take a breath. I’ll wait.)

Every foldable until now had one ugly flaw: a crease down the middle. They spent a decade erasing one wrinkle. Meanwhile, my face has questions.

Here’s the deliciously petty part. That crease-free screen inside Apple’s iPhone? Built by Samsung. You can’t make this up. Apple’s fanciest part, made by the rival it roasts in its own ads. Talk about an awkward Thanksgiving.

💰 Should you buy it?

Devour books and articles? That big page is a joy. Travel a lot? It’s your phone and your tablet in one, so you pack lighter. Imagine FaceTiming the grandkids on a screen that size. And if you’re forever squinting at tiny text, your eyes will send a thank-you note.

But if you just want a phone that makes calls and takes great photos, this is a mountain of cash for a party trick. Skip it. Foldables are also thicker, heavier and rougher on the battery than a slim phone.

Unless you’re in that sweet spot above, wait. Let them iron out the kinks, then grab a cheaper, better version in a year or two. 

First-generation anything is a beta test you pay full price for. Curious now? Samsung’s July 22 show is the one to watch. Those phones hit shelves while Apple’s is still warming up backstage.

Here’s the thing. You can already fold your current iPhone. Trouble is, you only get to do it once.

📩 Send this to someone who’s already raiding the piggy bank for a folding phone.