New Foldable Phone Designs Are Setting Up an Ambitious 2026

After six years on the market, foldable phones in 2025, new design improvements and new ideas have made the category particularly interesting as we approach 2026. Although still far from mainstream, foldable phones are finding their audience and, for the first time, seeing double-digit growth forecast in the category.

According to a December report from market research firm IDC, global foldable phone shipments are expected to increase 10% in 2025 compared to 2024. And that figure will continue to grow in 2026, with an expected 30% year-over-year jump, thanks to rumors of an upcoming launch. Foldable iPhone from Apple. And while Samsung’s Flip and Fold phones have been around for years, the company’s newest TriFold and the rumorWide fold“I’m excited about what’s going to happen in 2026.

On the other hand, Huawei has led the way with innovative products, including its own triple that beat Samsung in the category: the Huawei Mate — as well as a one-of-a-kind widescreen flip phone, the Huawei PuraX. It dominated China’s foldable phone market with a massive 68.9% market share in Q3 2025, according to a report from IDC (via MyDrivers). That’s huge for a single brand in any market, especially when a niche category like foldables has multiple competitors (Oppo, Vivo, Xiaomi and more).

These new styles of foldable phones, along with Apple’s iPhone Fold, which reportedly has a passport-sized design, could mean we’ll see four different types of foldable phones by 2026, giving people more options for compact devices that fold out onto larger screens.

The four types of foldable phones to expect in 2026

Until now, the most popular foldable phones have been book-style (like the Galaxy Z Fold 7) and flip phones (like the Motorola Razr). While the first is a phone that unfolds into a mini-tablet, the second folds into a more compact design. Both models have their advantages, but if the rumors are true, there are other ways to build a foldable phone.

2026 will see two new models in the category, and one of them has already been launched in several markets. Here’s why I think all these new foldable phones will have an audience.

Flip phones

THE Galaxy Z Flip 7 And Motorola Razr the ranges are designed for those who want a compact phone without compromising on screen size. Not everyone has huge pockets in their jeans, but that doesn’t mean they have to settle for a smaller screen. These flip phones are designed to be more compact while still offering the same 6.9-inch screen as a regular panel phone.

Foldable into book shape

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7, Google Pixel 10 Pro foldable, Oppo Find N5 And Honor the Magic V5 are all foldable in the shape of a book, which unfolds into a mini-tablet. I like this design because I like to browse the web and read on my phone and the square aspect ratio when unfolded makes it a great e-reader.

Recent developments in battery technology (silicon-carbon anode batteries) and hinge design allowed manufacturers to reduce the fold depth and overall thickness to make them almost as thin as regular panel phones. These phones usually have large screens which are not ideal for videos, due to a thick mailbox. But they can be propped up on their own, so you don’t need an external kickstand to watch 21:9 or 16:9 videos.

Book-style foldable phones are designed for those of us who want to be more productive on a phone without needing a separate device.

The triples

It is the most versatile foldable phone model at present and its best examples include the recently launched model. Samsung Galaxy Z tri-fold and the Huawei Mate. However, not all triples are designed the same.

The Huawei Trifold is the most versatile phone I’ve ever used, allowing me to use it as a phone, mini-tablet, and 16:11 widescreen tablet for productivity and media consumption. This is a true all-in-one device that offers everything in a portable design.

In comparison, the Galaxy Z Trifold gives you a 10-inch large-screen tablet that fits in your pocket and can also be used as a phone. It doesn’t offer a mini-tablet mode – you can use it folded like a phone or fully unfolded – but Samsung’s triple is designed as a productivity and media powerhouse. It’s essentially a Galaxy Tab S-style flagship device that fits in your pocket.

Widescreen foldables

The Huawei Pura X is the best example of a widescreen foldable so far. Although some might argue that the first generation Oppo Find N And Google Pixel Fold could fit into this category, their interior screens were also square (8.4:9 on the Oppo phone and 5:6 on the Pixel Fold); they were smaller folding books.

In contrast, the Pura I used the phone recently for a few days and it’s the best combination of pocketability and versatility. You can watch videos with minimal letterboxing (thick black borders at the top and bottom) on its 16:10 screen or use it as an e-reader in vertical orientation. And for those times when you need to take selfies using the rear cameras, you get a decent viewfinder in the form of a large screen cover – without making the phone bulky like a book-style foldable.

Apple is rumored to be taking this approach with its next Foldable iPhonebut with a larger cover screen. And Samsung is reportedly developing a similar “Wide Fold” that will also give you a 4:3 interior screen. According to a report from ETnews, this new Samsung foldable could have a 5.4-inch cover screen and support 25-watt wireless charging.

If the Korean company launches it alongside the rumored Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Flip 8, potentially in July 2026, it would launch before Apple’s rumored foldable, which is expected to launch in the fall.

While these foldable phones are likely to be expensive – especially the new tri-fold and wide-fold shapes – they bring a lot of new competition to a phone market that is otherwise dominated by the candy bar shape. As we approach 2026, I look forward to having multiple size, design, and feature options, much like we do with traditional phones.