2026 officially becomes the year of the passport-style foldable

A wider, passport-like foldable shape is rapidly becoming the defining premium smartphone design trend of 2026. Apple has entered the category with iPhone Duo, Samsung widened the Galaxy Z Fold 8, Xiaomi's 18 Fold follows the same ergonomic direction and Motorola has signalled a broader foldable concept of its own. The change addresses one of the long-running weaknesses of early book-style foldables: narrow external displays that felt cramped for ordinary typing and everyday phone use.

Wider devices behave more naturally while closed and become squarer mini-tablets when opened, which can make split-screen multitasking and video more practical. The convergence is particularly notable because these companies reached similar conclusions independently. Foldable competition is therefore moving beyond the simple question of whether a flexible screen works.

The next phase concerns proportions, software adaptation, weight, battery life and whether the unfolded screen genuinely improves everyday tasks enough to justify premium pricing.