Foldable Phones: Are They the Future or Just a Passing Trend?

Bloomberg / Contributor — (Image credit: Getty Images)

Foldable phones occupy a niche section of the mobile market. While many have shied away due to their bulky size or huge price tag, some customers are starting to give them a closer look.

They've come a long way from the early days of mobile. Now, they feature gigantic screens, rich graphics and functionality that simplifies many things you do online. One phone that illustrates this perfectly is the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7.

I'll break down the phone's pros and cons, trade-in incentives and where you can receive the best deal on one. Armed with this information, you can determine if now is the time to switch to a foldable phone.

From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance

Become a smarter, better informed investor. Subscribe from just ~~$107.88~~ $24.99, plus get up to 4 Special Issues

CLICK FOR FREE ISSUE

https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/y99mlvgqmn1763972420.png

Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free Newsletters

Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.

Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.

What I like about the Samsung Z Fold7

Let's start with the phone's pros. I really like the eight-inch screen size, as I always seem to be furrowing my eyebrows when reading on my Google Pixel 9 now. Not only does the screen size make it easier to read, but it creates an almost tablet-size screen that's perfect for streaming your favorite shows, playing mobile games or accessing apps on the go.

Another perk I enjoy is the storage. The Z Fold7 comes standard with 256 gigabytes (GB) of storage, though you can upgrade to 512GB for free through Samsung or go with the 1 terabyte (TB) option. If you have grandkids or nieces and nephews, you know how quickly your storage can fill up from pictures alone, so this feature separates it from flagship offerings on other Samsung and Google devices.

I also like the foldable design because it creates some security, and it's thinner and lighter than previous models. With the next-generation Snapdragon mobile processor, you receive a responsive and smooth experience, whether you're streaming, reading the news or taking pictures.

Therefore, if you're looking for a durable phone with a fast processor and a large screen, this could be the right device for you.

What are some challenges to consider?

When considering this or other foldable phones, the first con is cost. Because it's a phone with unique folding capabilities, it means you'll pay more than you would with other phone models. The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7 is $1,999.99 for both the 256GB and the 512GB models.

However, you can lower your total costs. Samsung allows you to trade in your device and receive up to $1,000 in trade-in credits. The amount of credits depends on the phone you trade in.

To demonstrate, the iPhone 16 Pro Max earns you a trade-in credit of up to $750, while the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra will fetch you up to $1,000.

The other thing is that the phone, when folded, can be bulkier. This could create a George Costanza-like wallet for your pocket or purse.

Lastly, because it's a larger phone, it'll require more battery. Heavy users experience a run time of six to 10 hours between charges, depending on what you're doing.

Where can I find the best deals on foldable phones?

T-Mobile

Along with Samsung's generous trade-in offer, you should check out mobile carriers, as well. T-Mobile offers a trade-in credit of up to $1,000 via 24 billing credits when you trade in an eligible device and choose a qualifying plan.

Broken down, it means you'll only pay $1,099.99 plus tax, or you can make 24 monthly payments of $50 per month when you add a line.

Verizon

Another option is Verizon, which offers several different incentives. If you plan to buy more than one Z Fold7, they currently offer a buy one, get the second for $1,100 off when you choose the Select Unlimited plan for both new lines.

New and existing customers can receive half off the phone per line with the Unlimited Ultimate plan. This incentive allows customers to get the new phone for as low as $27.77 per month, with 36 bill credits of $27.78.

How does the Samsung Galaxy ZFold7 compare with other options?

Here's a breakdown of how the Galaxy ZFold7 compares with other top models:

Swipe to scroll horizontally

Comparing top options
Phone	Price	Storage	Screen size	Camera in MP	Refresh rate
Samsung Galaxy ZFold7	$1,999.99	256GB	8 inches when folded out	200.0 MP + 12.0 MP + 10.0 MP	120Hz
iPhone 17 Pro Max	$1,199.99	256GB	6.9 inches	48MP Pro Fusion camera system	120Hz
Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold	$1,799.99	256GB	8 inches when folded out	48 MP Quad PD wide camera	120Hz

As you can see, despite its higher costs, the Galaxy Z Fold7 punches above its weight in screen size, camera resolution and storage. Keep in mind if you buy with Samsung, you receive a free upgrade to 512GB.

Ultimately, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7 offers a lot of perks, such as a fast processor, an exceptional camera and a generous screen size. Moreover, you can earn a substantial discount by trading in a device with Samsung or with your mobile carrier.

That said, most foldable phones are expensive, bulky and won't retain the same battery life as regular devices. Therefore, these phones work best for those looking for a larger screen and a more responsive experience, who don't mind the bulk.

Sean is a veteran personal finance writer, with over 10 years of experience. He's written finance guides on insurance, savings, travel and more for CNET, Bankrate and GOBankingRates.