Foldable phones may have already proven that smartphones can bend, fold, and transform, but their next challenge could be convincing consumers that the form factor is more than a novelty.
For Stephen Cheng, vice president of HONOR, that change is already taking place as consumers become more familiar with foldable technology and begin asking more practical questions about what these devices can offer.
“The conversation is no longer just about the novelty of having a phone that folds. Consumers are asking about durability, battery life, cameras, performance, and, more importantly, how the device can fit into their everyday lives,” Cheng told PhilSTAR Tech in an exclusive interview.
Consumers’ changed expectations could drive wider adoption as manufacturers focus less on novelty and more on demonstrating the practical value of foldables.
Cheng said foldables can appeal to users who want more from a smartphone without carrying multiple devices, particularly professionals who multitask and consumers who spend significant time on content.
A device such as the HONOR Magic V6, for instance, can function as a conventional smartphone on the go before opening into a larger display for work, entertainment, communication or multitasking.
Affordability won’t just be the answer
Making foldables more accessible will require more than simply lowering their prices.
“As the industry continues to improve manufacturing processes, materials, and components, we expect foldable technology to become more accessible over time,” Cheng said.
At the same time, he said consumers need a clear reason to make the switch, pointing to the larger flexible display’s potential to improve productivity, entertainment and everyday convenience.
“The more the category moves from being something new to something genuinely useful, the more opportunities there will be for wider adoption,” Cheng said.
The interest in practical value also backs how HONOR approaches the ongoing evolution of smartphone hardware.
With other manufacturers exploring new form factors, Cheng said the company does not want to introduce a new design simply because it is trending.
Instead, HONOR is looking at whether new technology can provide a meaningful improvement to the user experience.
A market with potential
For the Philippine market, Cheng sees room for that proposition to resonate. He described the country as an important market for HONOR and said Filipino consumers are receptive to new technology when it delivers a clear improvement to their everyday experience.
He also said HONOR wants Filipino consumers to have access to the same advanced technology available in other key markets while continuing to learn from what local consumers value and expect.
For foldables, then, the path to wider adoption may ultimately depend less on how futuristic the hardware looks and more on how seamlessly it fits into people’s lives.
