Nearly a decade after its launch, folding screen phones are no longer a "niche" option.
(Dan Tri) - Nearly a decade since its launch, folding screen phones have escaped the stereotype of an experimental technology item to become a practical high-end choice.
At Mobile World, folding devices account for 6.6% of phone industry revenue. Counterpoint Research forecasts that the global market will continue to grow by 21% in 2026, of which the book-folding design accounts for 76%, showing that this is already a solid product branch with a clear customer base and demand.
In Vietnam, signs of movement are clearly shown through the new generation of Galaxy Z. According to Samsung Vietnam, the number of pre-orders for the Galaxy Z8 series is 2.4 times higher than the previous generation, of which the Galaxy Z Fold8 alone accounts for more than half. In the first 24 hours of sale and delivery, the total number of orders for Galaxy Z Fold8 and Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra increased by 52% compared to Galaxy Z Fold7 in the same period last year.
Design limitations are gradually being resolved
After many years of development, the gap between foldable phones and regular phones has been significantly narrowed. The new device is lighter, thinner, the hinge is stronger, and the screen ratio is designed to closely match actual usage behavior.
This change is important because mainstream users don't buy a device just because it's foldable. They are only willing to switch when the machine still brings a familiar feeling in daily tasks, while also opening up new values when needed.
Galaxy Z Fold8 helps optimize daily work and entertainment tasks (Photo: Samsung).
Galaxy Z Fold8 is an example. With a weight of 201g, this is the lightest Galaxy Z Fold model Samsung has ever produced. The 10:16 aspect ratio external screen supports familiar operations such as texting, surfing social networks and watching short videos, while the 4:3 ratio main screen is more suitable for reading content, watching movies and playing games.
The folding design no longer forces users to completely change their usage habits, but adds another layer of experience when opening the device.
The benefits of large screens have become more concrete
Folding phones are transforming from an attention-grabbing design into a tool that can solve specific needs.
Users can join meetings while taking notes, open emails next to documents, drag and drop images between applications or monitor multiple sources of information without having to constantly switch windows.
For entertainment needs, a device that can act as a phone when folded and have a large screen when opened also reduces the need to carry a separate tablet.
This is suitable for management teams, business people, content creators, media, sales or those who often handle work on the go.
AI is creating more reasons to need a flexible display
One of the new market drivers is the development of AI on mobile devices. Counterpoint Research says demand for large screens is growing as AI moves from chatting to multitasking and handling workflows. This is also one of the factors that helps book-shaped folding phones become the main growth driver of the market in 2026.
On Galaxy Z Fold8 and Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, Galaxy AI is optimized for the folding screen space. Users can maintain a conversation with AI on one part of the screen and process information on the other part.
This is where the folding design makes more sense: the large screen is not just for displaying larger content, but for users to see more context and perform multiple steps in the same process.
Premiumization trends and financing programs reduce barriers
Folding phones still command high prices, but the market landscape is becoming more favorable for high-end devices. In the first half of 2026, phones with a wholesale price of $600 or more accounted for 29% of total global sales, up from 25% in 2025 and 20% in the first half of 2022.
Counterpoint believes that the long device replacement cycle is causing users to tend to invest in higher-end devices for long-term use.
At the same time, innovative collection programs, interest-free installment payments, device insurance and buyback commitments are changing the way users access high-end phones. List prices are not drastically reduced, but initial costs and ownership risks are more appropriately allocated.
In Vietnam, the Galaxy Z8 series pre-order program used to apply 0% installment payments for up to 24 months, support old renewal fees and screen replacement benefits for two years. Such policies are especially important with foldable phones, because they directly address two of buyers' biggest concerns: price and repair costs.
Samsung popularized folding phones around the world
Samsung is not the only enterprise entering the market, but is one of the brands that plays an important role in turning folding phones into a complete commercial segment.
Samsung maintains a continuous cycle of improvement for seven generations. With a completely new product type, maturity can only be formed after a long period of receiving real feedback, adjusting hardware, optimizing software and perfecting after-sales service.
Samsung contributes to expanding user base through two product directions. The Galaxy Z Flip series brings folding design closer to customers who care about compactness, fashion and content creation. Galaxy Z Fold focuses on large screen, multitasking and work performance.
By the eighth generation, the separation of the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra shows that the market is mature enough to form many product levels within the same folding design.
Galaxy Z8 series offers many product levels in the same folding design (Photo: Samsung).
Samsung invested in the One UI interface, taskbar, multi-window mode, continuity between the external screen and the main screen, and cooperated with developers to make the application display more streamlined.
A wide distribution system, experience stores, innovative old collection program, Samsung Care+ and warranty network also help reduce fear.
Galaxy Z Fold8 and Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra: Two different approaches, perfect for all user needs
Galaxy Z Fold8 is aimed at users who want a device that folds naturally and closer to their daily habits. The device weighs 201g, has a 5.5-inch external screen with 10:16 ratio and a 7.6-inch main screen with 4:3 ratio.
Configuration includes Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy, 4,800mAh battery, 45W fast charging and wide-angle and ultra-wide camera systems both with 50MP resolution.
This screen layout is suitable for the needs of watching vertical videos, surfing social networks and texting when the device is folded; When opened, users have more space to read, view content and entertain.
Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra brings Ultra standards to the folding design. The device has a 6.5-inch outer screen, an 8-inch main screen, a thickness of 4.1mm when opened and a weight of 215g.
200MP main camera, 50MP ultra-wide-angle camera, 3x optical zoom telephoto camera, 5,000mAh battery, 45W fast charging and extended cooling system target the device for intensive multitasking and content creation users.
The fact that Samsung simultaneously launched two approaches for the Fold line is proof that folding phones have begun to differentiate according to needs, instead of just existing as a unique technology product for pioneers.