Foldables are more practical than they used to be
Foldable phones are no longer just early-adopter devices. In Canada, shoppers can now find book-style foldables like Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold series and Google's Pixel Fold line, along with flip-style phones from Samsung and Motorola.
The main change is refinement. Newer foldables are thinner, lighter, brighter, and better supported by software than earlier models. Samsung's Canadian Galaxy Z Fold7 page, for example, highlights a slimmer body, larger displays, Galaxy AI features, and a 200 MP main camera.
That does not mean foldables are the right choice for everyone. The value depends on what you use your phone for, how long you plan to keep it, and whether the larger or smaller folding design solves a real problem for you.
What counts as a foldable phone?
There are two main types of foldable phones.
Book-style foldables open like a small tablet. When closed, they work like a regular smartphone. When opened, they give you a larger screen for reading, multitasking, media, and productivity. Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold series and Google's Pixel Fold line are examples.
Flip-style foldables fold down into a smaller square or compact shape. They usually have an outer screen for notifications, quick replies, camera previews, and basic controls. Samsung's Galaxy Z Flip series and Motorola Razr phones are examples.
The difference is important because these two categories solve different problems. A book-style foldable is about more screen space. A flip-style foldable is about making the phone easier to carry.
What improved in recent foldables?
The early foldable phones had clear limitations. They were thick, expensive, fragile-looking, and sometimes awkward to use when closed. Newer models are still expensive, but the hardware has become more normal.
Recent foldables have improved in several areas:
- thinner bodies when folded
- lighter weight
- wider cover screens that are easier to type on
- brighter inner displays
- stronger hinge designs
- better water and dust resistance on some models
- longer software support
- better camera systems
- more apps that handle split-screen and large-screen layouts properly
Samsung says the Galaxy Z Fold7 has an 8-inch main screen, a wider 21:9 cover screen, an 8.9 mm folded thickness, a 200 MP wide camera, and a 4,400 mAh battery. Those details show the direction of the category: foldables are becoming less like prototypes and more like premium phones with a flexible screen.
The main reasons to buy one
A foldable can make sense if you want one device that can act like a phone and a small tablet.
The strongest use cases are:
- reading documents, webpages, and email
- editing photos or videos on a larger screen
- using two apps side by side
- watching video with a larger display
- taking selfies or video calls with the rear camera and cover screen
- carrying a smaller flip phone that still has a modern outer display
If those are daily uses for you, a foldable may feel more useful than a regular flagship phone.
Who should consider a foldable?
A foldable may be a good fit if you use your phone as a work device. The larger screen can make it easier to review documents, compare information, write longer emails, edit spreadsheets, and keep two apps open at once.
It can also fit people who travel often. A book-style foldable can replace some tablet use for maps, boarding passes, email, video, and reading. A flip-style foldable can be easier to fit into small pockets or bags.
Content creators may also benefit from the screen and camera flexibility. Some foldables let you use the rear cameras for selfies or video calls while seeing yourself on the outer screen. That can be useful for higher-quality photos, video calls, or short-form video.
If you mainly use your phone for calls, texts, social media, photos, and browsing, a regular phone may still be simpler and better value.
The reasons to wait
Foldables still come with trade-offs.
The biggest one is price. Book-style foldables are usually among the most expensive phones sold in Canada. Carrier financing can lower the upfront cost, but the total device cost can still be high, especially if a return option or deferred amount is involved.
Other trade-offs include:
- a visible or noticeable crease on the inner display
- more moving parts than a regular phone
- thicker cases
- repair costs that can be higher than standard phones
- fewer accessory options
- battery life that may be weaker than a large regular flagship phone
These trade-offs are smaller than they were a few years ago, but they have not disappeared.
Price is still the main issue in Canada
Foldables are usually priced like premium phones, and book-style foldables can cost more than many laptops. Carrier financing can make the monthly amount easier to manage, but it can hide the full device cost.
When comparing prices, look for:
- the full retail price
- the monthly financing amount
- any upfront payment
- the required plan price
- whether a return option or deferred balance applies
- the cost if you cancel early
- the total paid after 24 months
A phone that looks affordable on a monthly plan may still be expensive once the plan requirement and return terms are included.
Durability and repair costs
Foldables have more complex hardware than regular slab phones. The hinge, inner display, screen protector, and folding mechanism all add points to consider.
Before buying, check whether the warranty covers the inner display and hinge, and whether accidental damage requires a separate protection plan. Also check local repair options. Some foldable repairs may take longer or cost more than repairs for standard phones because parts are more specialized.
It is also worth looking at case options before buying. Foldable cases can be bulkier and more model-specific, and not every case protects the hinge in the same way.
Book-style foldable or flip-style foldable?
A book-style foldable, such as the Galaxy Z Fold or Pixel Fold, is best if you want a large inner screen for work, reading, multitasking, or media.
A flip-style foldable, such as a Galaxy Z Flip or Motorola Razr, is best if you want a phone that folds smaller in your pocket. It is less about productivity and more about portability.
Most people choosing a foldable should decide between those two categories first. After that, compare the camera, battery, software support, repair coverage, and total price.
Foldable versus regular flagship phone
A regular flagship phone will usually be better for someone who wants the simplest option. It will often have stronger battery life for the size, more case choices, lower repair risk, and a lower purchase price than a book-style foldable.
A foldable is better if the screen format changes how you use the phone. If you often zoom into documents, switch between apps, read long pages, or watch video on your phone, the larger display can be useful. If you rarely do those things, the foldable screen may not justify the extra cost.
For cameras, compare the exact model rather than assuming the foldable is better because it is more expensive. Some regular flagship phones still have stronger camera systems, larger batteries, or better zoom hardware than foldable models at a similar price.
Software support affects long-term value
Foldables rely heavily on software. The larger inner screen is only useful when apps scale properly, support split-screen, or make good use of the space.
Before buying, check how long the manufacturer promises software updates and security updates. A foldable is expensive enough that most buyers will want several years of support. Samsung and Google both now compete heavily on long software support windows, but the exact promise can vary by device and region.
If you are buying used, confirm the model year and update status. A used foldable can be a good way to lower the purchase price, but an older foldable may have weaker durability, shorter remaining support, or more battery wear.
What to check before buying in Canada
Before buying a foldable, check:
- Total device price: Look at the full price, not only the monthly payment.
- Return option terms: Some carrier plans include a deferred amount if you do not return the phone at the end.
- Warranty coverage: Confirm what is covered for the hinge and inner display.
- Repair pricing: Screen and hinge repairs can be expensive.
- Case availability: Foldable cases are more specific than regular phone cases.
- Trade-in value: Foldables can be expensive to buy, but resale and trade-in values can vary more than iPhones or standard Galaxy S phones.
Buying new versus used
Buying new gives you the cleanest warranty position and the least concern about hinge wear, screen wear, and battery health. That can be useful for a foldable because repairs are more specialized.
Buying used can make sense if the discount is large enough. Before buying a used foldable, inspect:
- the inner display for bubbles, dents, dead pixels, or lifting screen protector edges
- the hinge for uneven movement or grinding
- the cover screen for scratches or cracks
- the frame for drops near the hinge
- the battery health or real-world battery performance
- whether the phone is unlocked and not financed
- whether the manufacturer warranty or protection plan transfers
If you cannot inspect the phone in person, ask for photos of the inner screen while open, the hinge from both sides, and the phone folded shut.
Are they worth it now?
For the right buyer, yes. Foldables are now practical enough to consider as daily phones.
They are a better fit if you regularly use your phone for reading, multitasking, travel, email, or content work. They are a weaker fit if you mostly text, browse social media, take photos, and want the lowest possible repair risk.
If price is the main concern, a regular flagship phone or a used recent flagship will usually be better value. If the larger screen changes how you use your phone every day, a foldable can be worth the extra cost.
Quick answer
Foldable phones are finally worth considering in Canada, but mostly for people who will use the folding design every day. A book-style foldable makes sense for reading, work, multitasking, and media. A flip-style foldable makes sense for portability.
For most value-focused buyers, a regular flagship phone or a used premium phone will still be the more practical choice. Foldables are better than they used to be, but price, repair costs, and long-term durability should still be part of the decision.
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