A return to form. In 1996, Motorola released the world’s first flip phone, the Startac — a simple, compact, and inconspicuous device that would go on to inspire other manufacturers. The flip became one of the noughties’ most popular phone form factors, but by the early 2010s, they all but died out — until now. From Google to Samsung, and — if the rumors are true — Apple, flip phones are back in fashion, and they’re smarter than ever.

Is it just a nod to nostalgia? There certainly is a vintage appeal to modern flip phones, with many users who made the switch taking to social media to recreate iconic pop culture moments featuring the classic flips. Yet, it’s not just nostalgia driving the flip’s resurgence — it’s convenience. Flip smartphones are compact, easy to operate, and offer all the perks one has come to expect from a flagship smartphone. With today’s tech and yesteryear’s form factor, manufacturers began to act.

In 2020, Samsung released the first mainstream flip smartphone. The Korean tech giant claimed that it “broke the laws of physics” by bending glass. The device had its issues, including severe scratching and screen damage — those, however, would be addressed in later models within the series. Samsung’s dare to bring back the flip — and introduce a new form factor which would expand the phone into a tablet — inspired myriad other manufacturers to do the same. Months after Samsung’s flip debut, Motorola would release a new and improved smart model of its signature Razr — and so the race began.

We’re about to see a lot more flip smartphones. What was once deemed a passing fad is potentially proving that it’s here to stay. Since its debut, Samsung has released six more editions of its Z Flip models, with the upcoming seventh generation rumored to be substantially thinner yet more powerful than its predecessors.

Earlier in 2024, rumors began spreading that Apple was toying with the idea of a foldable iPhone, with the latest pointing towards a potential 2026 release. A belated start to the race, but that’s just how Apple likes to do things. Google, OnePlus, Oppo, and Honor are also pushing out more and more flip and foldable models.

While the numbers aren’t skyrocketing, there’s noticeable growth. According to IDC’s Worldwide Foldable Phone Forecast, total foldable phone shipments worldwide are expected to reach a total 45.7 mn units by 2028.

There’s a catch — they’re significantly more expensive than traditional smartphones. Samsung’s Z Fold 6 starts off at USD 1.1k, and its counterparts aren’t that far behind. Yet as competition heats up and manufacturing becomes more efficient, it’s likely that we’ll be seeing a resurgence in the flip form factor — especially if Apple follows through on its plans. “Price cuts, increased durability, and perhaps a certain brand joining the party could be the catalyst in the years to come," the IDC forecast reads.

Tags: