You’ve seen the videos. Someone pulls a slab out of their pocket, clicks a hinge that sounds like a luxury car door closing, and suddenly they’re holding a small tablet. It looks like magic. It looks like the future. But honestly, the galaxy z fold phone is probably the most misunderstood piece of tech on the market right now.
People either think it’s a fragile toy for rich nerds or a miraculous productivity machine that replaces every other device. The truth? It’s somewhere in the messy middle. We are currently in early 2026, and the landscape has shifted. We aren't talking about the experimental "beta test" days of the original Fold anymore. With the recent release of the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and even the wild new TriFold, the conversation has moved from "will it break?" to "do I actually need this much screen?"
The Durability Myth vs. Reality
Let's get the big one out of the way. Is the screen going to crack if you look at it funny?
Five years ago, maybe. Today, not really. Recent data from 2025 ownership surveys shows that the "RMA" (return) rate for the newer models like the Fold 6 and Fold 7 has plummeted to about 5%. Compare that to the nearly 50% failure rate people were seeing back with the Fold 4, and you realize Samsung finally figured out the physics. They switched to something called Corning Gorilla Glass Ceramic 2 on the cover and toughened up the internal "Ultra Thin Glass."
But—and this is a big but—it isn't invincible.
I’ve talked to users who have used their galaxy z fold phone in construction sites without a hitch, and others who had a "line of death" appear because a single grain of sand got under the OLED. Samsung’s IP48 rating is great for a splash of water, but it’s basically a polite suggestion when it comes to dust. If you take this thing to the beach, you’re playing Russian Roulette with a $2,000 investment.
Why the Fold 7 Changed the Game (And Made People Mad)
Samsung pulled a weird move with the Galaxy Z Fold 7. They made it incredibly thin—8.9mm folded. That’s barely thicker than a standard iPhone. To do that, they ditched S Pen support.
For some people, that was a dealbreaker.
👉 See also: Why Your Fitness App Military Base Location Data Is a Massive Security Headache
The S Pen was the whole reason to have a big screen, right? But Samsung’s bet was that most people care more about the "bulge" in their pocket than they do about sketching. They gave us an 8-inch internal display and a 200MP camera (the same one in the S25 Ultra) to soften the blow. It’s the best camera setup ever put in a foldable, but you pay for it. $1,999.99 is a lot of money. You could buy a flagship phone and a very nice iPad for that price.
The Real Use Case: It’s Not Just "Big Netflix"
If you buy a galaxy z fold phone just to watch movies, you’re going to be disappointed.
Because of the square-ish aspect ratio, 16:9 videos end up with massive black bars. You don't actually get much more "movie" than you would on a standard Pro Max phone. Where it actually wins is the "boring" stuff:
- Email and Slack: Seeing your inbox on the left and a thread on the right is a massive workflow shift.
- Spreadsheets: If you have to edit an Excel doc on a train, this is the only phone that won't make you want to throw it out the window.
- Gaming: Playing Genshin Impact or Wild Rift on an 8-inch screen feels like cheating.
The Software Side: Galaxy AI in 2026
Software is where Samsung is currently trying to justify that $2k price tag. The 2026 update to Galaxy AI introduced "multimodal" Gemini Live.
Basically, the phone uses its cameras and screen to understand what you’re looking at in real-time. You can point the camera at a broken sink, and the AI will guide you through the repair on the big screen while you’re looking at it. Or you can circle something on a website and have it instantly translated or summarized. It’s cool. It’s also a little creepy. But on the galaxy z fold phone, you actually have the screen real estate to use these tools without hiding your keyboard or the app you’re actually working in.
📖 Related: Getting Closed Caption Off YouTube TV: Why the Settings Keep Coming Back
Is It Time to Switch?
Honestly, it depends on how much you value your pocket space.
If you are coming from a Fold 3 or 4, the jump to the 6 or 7 is massive. The crease is still there—you can feel it—but it’s become like the notch on an iPhone; your brain just edits it out after three days.
However, we’re seeing huge competition now. The Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold is out, and the OnePlus Open 2 (or its Oppo equivalent) is still the king of multitasking for many power users. Samsung is no longer the only game in town, and that's forced them to make the Fold 7 thinner and faster than anyone expected.
Actionable Tips for New Fold Owners
If you decide to take the plunge, do these three things immediately:
- Get the Insurance: I don't care how careful you are. A screen replacement on these costs more than a brand-new mid-range phone. Samsung Care+ is a non-negotiable tax on foldable ownership.
- Don't Peel the Protector: That plastic film on the inside? It’s structural. If it starts to bubble, take it to a certified repair center. Do not—under any circumstances—try to "fix" it yourself with a hair dryer and a credit card.
- Master the Taskbar: Go into settings and turn on the permanent taskbar. It makes the galaxy z fold phone feel like a tiny laptop rather than just a big phone.
The foldable dream is finally maturing. It’s no longer a "maybe one day" technology. It’s here, it’s expensive, and it’s surprisingly durable—as long as you keep it away from the sand.