Foldables are cool as long as you don't mind carrying around a little (or a lot) of bulk.
It's the calm before the storm. (Just don't read the news.) Samsung announced the details for the next Unpacked event this week. It's taking place on July 9 in Brooklyn, New York. The event will be live-streamed for all to tune in on YouTube and elsewhere. Part of the Android Faithful crew will be in attendance, including yours truly, so you can expect to get the lowdown on what's new in foldables and wearables. That's what we're expecting Samsung to announce.
It's been six years since Samsung debuted the first mainstream foldable smartphone, the Galaxy Fold, a book-style device. That device effectively stumbled on its entry into the world. Remember when reviewers were peeling off the adhesive part that was holding the entire phone together? That was a fun time. Samsung followed up with the Galaxy Z Fold 2 despite all that. The Z added to the model name stands for "do not peel off the adhesive."
Eventually, I caved just like everyone else. I reviewed the Galaxy Z Fold 4 and then remained loyal to the foldable form factor. I used it for everything, from reading to watching videos, to editing videos, and using the device as a de facto computer while in the UK last summer. I had the Keychron K3 stowed in my bag, a Logitech Pop mouse, and the Z Fold 6 connected via an adapter to the TV where I was staying. DeX and I did some incredible things. At one point, I propped up the 7-inch Z Fold 6 on the kitchen table, and it became the morning's headquarters before I departed for the day.
But can I let you in on a little secret? I haven't thought about that foldable since last summer, which was the last time I needed something that small to take with me on a trip. And it isn't just a Samsung thing either, because I have the Oppo Find N5, which is thinner. I'm not using a folding smartphone because I don't want it as my daily driver.
I love the concept and the utility of the book-style foldable. But unless you carry a bag everywhere, which I do not, pocketing the device when it's closed shut feels like walking around with an anchor everywhere you go. I hate the feeling of the bulky smartphone sagging in a pair of sweatpants. I can't run or speed walk with it in a pocket since the phone bounces against my thigh. It is a proverbial albatross weighing down mind, body, and soul rather than an all-in-one smartphone that has everything you need.
I don't need everything all the time. And I'm already carrying around the Google Pixel 9 Pro, which has a lot crammed into it. However, I would love it to be thinner. I understand why this is the year of the thinner smartphone—supposedly, Apple is going to follow suit with the iPhone, just as Samsung attempted with the Galaxy S25 Edge, even though we found out last week that it isn't selling all that well. It's all part of the plan, though. Put out the thinner chassis into the market. Let the fans who have to be on the cutting edge spend their money since those same users are "loyal" enough to fill out a feedback form to complain that they didn't like the way they spent their money. Then Samsung takes that feedback to continue whittling away at the phone's thickness. It's something like that.
This is my long-winded way of saying that although I expect this year's Galaxy Z Fold 7 to have impressive specifications and possibly an even thinner chassis than last year's 8.9mm (folded), the actual foldable smartphone that I want seems eons away. A thinner device would inspire me to try wielding a folding phone again sometime in the near future. For now, I'm fine with not carrying a tiny tablet in my pocket.
I was on the show this week! It was our 100th episode! It was me, Ron, and Jason discussing a variety of topics, including our impressions of the Moto Razr and Moto Razr Ultra.
