Remember those flip phones that once dominated the markets? For nearly a decade, these phones never got to see the light of day. Well, some brands existed but they were targeting the local markets. Now, the resurrection of the folding phones is on its way in a new form. Smartphones are starting to have the flip factor, giving them a whole new sense of fun to use and own.
Motorola’s StarTAC was released in 1996 and was the first flip phone that entered the market. Ever since its introduction, it has sold over 60 million units. The main reason it boomed was that this was the first portable and lightweight phone available. Prior to the introduction of brands such as Nokia and Samsung, Motorola was the name in the world of phones.
The StarTAC was the first phone that did not have the regular brick design and was portable. This was the inspiration for other brands such as Blackberry, Samsung, and Nokia who became the pioneers of flip phones. Unlike the straight bars (phones consisting of the screen and keyboard in one), flip phones gave the vibe of being a businessman’s phone and something to show off in public.
By mid-2010, flip phones started to be replaced with smartphones. The introduction of the iPhone saw the form factor shift from buttons to a touchscreen. These phones started to be replaced with slabs of glass.
Even in the smartphone era, flip phones showed some signs of survival. Manufacturers such as Samsung and Aiwa started fusing flip phones with the Android OS. The only problem was that they could not cover worldwide networks, which limited them to the Japanese and Korean markets. These flip phones were just 10% of the total smartphone market.
In the modern smartphone era, flip phones are now rebranded as foldable phones. This is because they are nothing more than smartphones with a fold in the middle. Unlike traditional flip phones, these foldable phones act as one smartphone with two screens. It will not provide the fun form factor that original flip phones provided back in the day.
Chinese brands such as Huawei and Oppo started experimenting with such ideologies. The Huawei Mate X was the first successful foldable smartphone that made a big impact on the market. While other smaller companies tried to create foldable smartphones, they faced problems, especially with hardware, software, and spare parts availability. With the success of Huawei, bigger brands are now copying the same concept.
Apple is widely rumoured to be working on its first foldable iPhone. Analysts expect it to launch in late 2026. It may be part of the iPhone 18 series. Apple has not confirmed anything yet, but speculation is growing as leaks and patents hint at a foldable design.
The CEO of Huawei, Ren Zhengfei, said that over half of Huawei’s models will be foldable. Unlike Samsung’s Galaxy Fold series which opens like a book, Huawei will take it to another level with a curved screen that will be a continuation even after being folded. Huawei has also introduced the first double-fold smartphone. The Mate XT Ultimate has taken things to another level with three foldable screens that turn into a pad once fully unfolded.
Tech reviewers and YouTubers have mixed opinions about foldable phones. Many appreciate how new technology and innovative designs have come together to create something different from regular smartphones. However, despite the growing popularity of these phones, some experts say there is still room for improvement.
The return of the flip, now reimagined as foldable technology, signals more than just nostalgia. It reflects a consumer desire for devices that feel fresh, practical, and distinctive. With Samsung refining its foldables, Huawei pushing boundaries, and Apple preparing to enter the race, the flip phone’s story is no longer about the past. It’s about how the future of smartphones might once again fold in unexpected ways.
