A recent CNET survey has found that 64% of respondents are not interested in owning a foldable smartphone — a figure that signals ongoing consumer hesitation toward one of the mobile industry’s most hyped innovations.
The survey, which polled over 1,000 people, reveals that cost, durability concerns, and a lack of clear functional advantages are top reasons why foldables continue to struggle for mass adoption. This comes despite several years of aggressive marketing and product iterations from major players like Samsung, Google, and Motorola.
Samsung, in particular, has led the foldable charge since launching its first Galaxy Fold in 2019. The company is set to unveil its latest Galaxy Z Fold and Z Flip models at its Unpacked event this week in Paris. Meanwhile, Google entered the foldable market in 2023 with the Pixel Fold, and Motorola continues to refine its Razr series. Still, interest in these high-priced devices appears limited.
Market research firm IDC echoes the survey’s findings. In its 2024 report, IDC projected that foldable phone shipments would grow from 18.6 million units in 2023 to 48.1 million in 2027. While this suggests steady growth, foldables are still expected to account for less than 5% of total smartphone sales in the near term.
The Asian market, particularly South Korea and China, has shown more openness to foldables. Samsung dominates the South Korean segment, while Chinese brands like Huawei, Oppo, and Honor have been expanding their foldable offerings domestically and internationally. However, even in these tech-forward markets, foldables remain a niche product.
Foldable devices typically come with premium price tags, often exceeding $1,000 — a key barrier in price-sensitive markets such as Southeast Asia and India, where budget and midrange smartphones continue to dominate.
For now, despite advancements in hinge durability, battery life, and multitasking features, most consumers appear to prefer traditional smartphone designs. As CNET puts it, the foldable future may be here, but not everyone is ready to embrace them.
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