Survey suggests the days of viewing foldable phones as a novelty are over

Source: Android Authority

Overview

Foldable phones have never enjoyed a more established position in the smartphone market than today, with almost every major and minor manufacturer offering a bendable device. Some are highly refined thanks to multiple revisions across generations, while others are more experimental. Either way, they remain an outsider’s choice for those seeking a reliable, simple, daily smartphone.

Recent Poll Results

In a recent poll, we asked readers whether they would use a foldable as their daily phone in 2026, given the multitude of choices on the market and the form factor’s maturity since its debut seven years ago. The survey attracted just over 2,500 respondents, with more than 2,000 settling on a single answer.

84.4% of voters said they would use a foldable as their daily driver—a huge win for foldable phones and the companies that make them.

Comparison with 2021 Poll

Back in 2021 we asked whether foldables were the “new mainstream” for smartphones. Of the nearly 3,400 votes received:

• 26.2% answered “yes”
• 32.7% answered “no”
• 41.1% answered “Not yet, but it will be”

The shift from a minority belief in 2021 to a strong majority in 2026 highlights how perceptions of foldables have changed in just a few years.

Reader Opinions

Concerns About Durability

“To each his own, but foldables are really just a joke and those who buy them are the punchline.” – plumblucky

Criticism of Feature Parity

“I don’t understand why Samsung treats their foldables like a tier below. No S Pen, bad cameras, missing features from the Ultra series. If someone is going to spend $2,000+ on a phone they just won’t get one missing features. Why is the S Ultra line the flagship but Folds don’t get that treatment?” – zaryababutt

Praise for Daily Use

“I’ve owned the Samsung Fold 6 and 7, Oppo N Fold and now the Honor Magic V5. I’ve never had an issue with any of them and find them fantastic for daily use.” – kopkiwi08

Conclusion

Foldable devices — not just phones — are certainly having a moment in the spotlight. While it might take a far greater leap in value for some to adopt a foldable as their daily driver, many users are already enjoying the flexibility and capabilities they offer.

Do you use a foldable phone as your main device? What are your joys and gripes? Share your thoughts in the comments below.