We all remember our flip phones from the early 2000s – they were practical and added a level of portability and durability that other phones lacked. So the concept of a foldable phone isn’t new, but when companies started perfecting foldable screens to turn our smartphones into clamshells, it became more than a fun trip down memory lane. Suddenly we remembered how cool and useful a foldable device can be.
What started as a mobile phone first has gained significant momentum as foldable phone sales reached 7.1 million units in 2021 (a significant increase of 264.3 percent from 2020), and market researcher IDC says the trend will continue, and forecasts that mobile foldable devices will reach a market value of $29 billion in 2025.
IDC notes that with 7.1 million units shipped in 2021, foldable devices didn’t account for a large portion of total smartphone sales, but the devices managed to capture a third of the premium Android market (over $1,000).
Nabila Popal, research director at IDC’s Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker, said in a statement, “While the importance of foldable devices is no longer questioned for brands wanting a slice of the premium Android space, vendors should continue to keeping a close eye on the overall foldable market as it continues to grow and bring new players into the market.”
As part of CRN’s 2022 Mobile 100, here are five cool foldable phones available in 2022:
* Galaxy Z Fold3 5G
* Galaxy ZFlip 3
* Oppo Find N
* Motorola Razr 5G
*Huawei Mate Xs