Foldable smartphones are now an established product category, gaining traction among both consumers and manufacturers. Samsung and Google have brought the hybrid experience of unfolding the small screen of a smartphone into a bigger screen for easier access and a new method of interacting with devices.
The Samsung Z Flip and Galaxy Z Fold, as well as the Google Pixel Fold have integrated this approach into their product to draw attention and create a new space of user experience. More multitasking and user interactions can be accomplished with these devices.
As manufacturers keep innovating and investing in foldable technology, the segment is gradually getting wider market acceptance. So, as per Statista, almost 18 million foldable smartphones were expected to have been shipped by the end of 2024, with projections going up to 70 million units by 2027.
In mobile app development and testing, this growth means brand-new demands. Foldable devices introduce multiple screen states, changing aspect ratios, and behaviors absent in a common smartphone. With such constraints in place, foldable devices testing strategies need to be updated to ascertain that an application works in folded and unfolded modes, with dynamic layouts, and with any performance checks. In this blog, we will discuss the need to test for foldable devices, the challenges involved, and the best practices for an immaculate user experience.
Understanding Foldable Devices
Before exploring testing strategies, it’s essential to understand what sets foldable devices apart from traditional smartphones. Whereas traditional mobile phones have fixed screen sizes and layouts, foldables are programmed according to how they are folded or unfolded. This flexible design brings new possibilities for users to interact with applications, either by adjusting between compact and expanded views or running two apps simultaneously.
There exist two significant categories of foldables:
- Book-style foldables: These open horizontally like a book, revealing a larger tablet-sized screen inside. When closed, they function similarly to a standard smartphone. Devices like the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold series belong here: These devices offer an extra screen for more immersive activities like reading, watching videos, or multitasking.
- Clamshell foldables: These open vertically and offer less screen when closed. When unfolded, however, the screen tends to be taller than a traditional smartphone. The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip and the Motorola Razr are examples. These devices lean towards keeping things pocketable while granting a full-size display when needed.
Being able to switch between screen sizes and orientations introduces a new category of complexities for app developers and testers to think about. Screen continuity, aspect ratio change, app resizing, orientation transition, and so forth are part of the elements. The initial step toward making and testing an app that functions well on foldable devices would be understanding these characteristics.
Importance of Testing Apps on Foldable Devices
Foldable devices testing is necessary for several reasons:
- Different States of Screens: Foldable devices can be used either in a folded, unfolded, or an in-between mode. Each state brings some UI and UX challenges that must be carefully tested for the sake of consistency and functionality.
- Layout Continuity: In the absence of thorough testing, an app may hang during screen transitions with elements out of place, user input lost, or the layout changing abruptly when switching from one screen mode to another.
- More Performance Demands: The foldable, thanks to its larger screen and multitasking capabilities, consumes more processing power. Applications must be optimized and tested for performance, memory consumption, and battery efficiency to prevent any lag or crash.
- Multi-Window & Split-Screen Behavior: Most foldables allow apps to live alongside each other. Testing must ensure that the apps render correctly in multi-window mode and remain usable when resized or repositioned.
- Orientation Handling: Foldable phones often shift between portrait mode and landscape orientation. Apps must smoothly handle these transitions without breaking UI or affecting user tasks.
- User Expectations & Market Trends: As foldables go mass-market, the users will expect apps to offer a seamless experience across all device formats. Available apps with poor ties to their performance or incompatibility will damage brand reputation and reduce app engagement.
Future-Proofing Apps: As foldable shipments are expected to reach 70 million by 2027, the adaptation of apps to this form factor is both a way for businesses to stay competitive and to reach more users.
Read More: Device Coverage Report
Key Areas to Validate in Foldable App Testing
Here are the critical aspects for QA for foldable devices, teams must validate for foldable devices testing:
- Foldable States & Postures
Test across all foldable postures, flat (fully open), half-open (tent or book posture), and fully folded. Ensure UI adapts correctly, avoids occlusion, and remains responsive in each state.
- App Continuity & State Restoration
Validate that user state persists through fold/unfold transitions: typed text, scroll positions, media playback, and UI focus should all be restored seamlessly.
- Responsive Layout & Adaptive UI
Verify that app layouts adjust fluidly to varying screen sizes and aspect ratios. UI components should resize or reflow to prevent content from being cut off or misaligned across states.
- Multi-Window & Multi-Resume Functionality
Test split-screen, free-form, and pop-up modes on Android versions where these are supported. Ensure apps function smoothly when running side by side or in floating windows, maintaining UI clarity and interactivity.
- Input & Gesture Handling Across Displays
Validate keyboard behavior and input fields transition smoothly between screens. Ensure touch gestures, edge interactions, and focus states continue to work when moving between the cover and main screens.
- Resource Optimization: Performance, Memory, and Battery
Monitor app performance in unfolded states, paying close attention to memory consumption, CPU/GPU usage, and battery drain. Test under load and during sustained multi-window usage.
- Orientation Changes & Aspect Ratio Management
Test on both portrait and landscape modes across folded and unfolded states. Make sure UI scales and reflows are correct without layout breaks or content truncation.
- UX Considerations Near Hinges & Fold Lines
Prevent critical UI components or touch targets from aligning with fold areas. Check that pop-ups and dialogs remain fully visible and accessible in all postures.
- Media and Animation Continuity
Validate seamless media playback or animations during fold/unfold transitions. There should be no pauses, restarts, or visual glitches as the device posture changes.
Read More: Now test your apps on Samsung Galaxy Fold
Challenges Faced While Testing Foldable Devices
As foldable smartphones move into the mainstream, testing apps on these devices presents a unique set of challenges. The variable screen configurations, advanced gestures, and device-specific behaviors mean QA teams must go beyond traditional testing methods. Below are the key challenges of testing apps on foldable screens:
- Complex Form Factors & Layout Adaptation
Foldable devices operate in several postures: fully closed, folded halfway (tent or book mode), and fully open. Each setting has constraints of specific aspect ratios and resolutions that applications need to work with more smoothly in handling these changes in a smooth transition, with UI elements having to either reposition themselves, reflow, or scale themselves depending on the change in canvas area. The poor or absence of optimization of the layout behavior can cause problems with the cut text, elements being out of alignment, or navigation controls whose use is blocked.
- Continuity and State Management
Switching between folded and unfolded states may interrupt app processes. Users often lose data such as form entries, scroll position, video playback, or in-progress actions if app states are not retained properly. QA teams need to rigorously test state persistence to ensure a smooth, uninterrupted experience across all transitions.
- Multi-Display Scenarios
In some foldables, such as those of some Samsung Galaxy Fold, with a small screen on the outside and a larger screen on the inside, the app has to support instant transition between those two displays without breaking functionality. For example, when a user starts typing a message on the outer screen of the foldable and unfolds the device, the app should continue from that input position on the larger screen with no lapses in loss of data or layout issues.
- Multi-Window and Freeform Mode Support
Foldable devices support multitasking modes such as split-screen, pop-up view, and freeform windows. Apps must accommodate resizing on the fly while preserving content hierarchy and usability. QA needs to verify how the app behaves when it shares the screen with another app, is dragged around, or is resized arbitrarily.
- Performance Stress and Resource Consumption
Larger displays and multitasking features increase demand on system resources. Foldables often require more CPU, GPU, and RAM to deliver smooth interactions. Apps not optimized for resource usage may experience lag, frame drops, crashes, overheating, or abnormal battery drain during high-load scenarios. QA must include performance monitoring in their testing strategy.
- Limited Emulator and Simulator Accuracy
The emulators work for simple testing but aren’t able to replicate hardware-dependent behaviors. Hinge responsiveness, folding animations, gesture tracking, and touch sensitivity are hard to simulate perfectly. To capture problems in the real world that slip by in a virtual one, one must test on the physical device.
- Device-Specific UX Patterns
Each OEM brands its functionalities- Flex Mode from Samsung, Open Canvas from OnePlus, Adaptive UI from Google- in a way that interferes with app functioning and appearance. QA teams should test for ensuring app compatibility with foldable phones with such custom implementations to avoid bugs or foldable UX challenges on any platform.
- Unpredictable Gesture & Interaction Patterns
Fold/unfold actions, swipe gestures along hinges, and edge-based touch zones add new interaction layers. These can interfere with in-app interactions if not thoroughly validated. Testing should cover all gesture inputs across folded and unfolded states to ensure responsiveness and accuracy.
- Increased Test Coverage and Maintenance Burden
Multiple screen modes, orientations, and layouts expand the matrix of testing. Along with regular OS updates and OEM updates, are all factors considered by QA teams when deciding on spending hours and resources in maintaining test scripts and compatibility across the board? This risk for regressions increases with every UI update or every hardware change.
- Camera and Sensor Integration
A few foldables are likely to change the sensor position, such as those of cameras, ambient light sensors, and gyroscopes, during the state transition. Applications using these sensors must work in any form factor of the device: Augmented Reality applications, or barcode scanning software, for example. Therefore, testing should ensure that sensor orientation, calibration, and permission handling are correctly performed.
- Animation and Transition Fluidity
The folding action itself is a visually engaging transition. If app animations, screen resizing, or reorientation are sluggish or inconsistent during these moments, it breaks the overall user experience. QA teams must validate that transitions remain fluid and that UI responsiveness is maintained throughout.
- App Initialization and Reinitialization
Certain apps reload or reinitialize when folding/unfolding, leading to potential delays or restarts. Testing should confirm that initialization processes do not negatively impact user flow, especially for time-sensitive or data-heavy applications.
Best Practices for Testing Apps on Foldable Devices
QA teams need to do more than just the normal tests to make sure to optimize apps for foldable devices so that people will have a good and quick experience on all foldable devices.
Here are some of the main good ways to perform foldable devices testing:
- Implement Responsive and Adaptive Layouts
Design and test apps using ConstraintLayout, FlexboxLayout, or responsive design principles that adapt fluidly to various screen sizes and aspect ratios. This ensures your app maintains consistency whether folded, unfolded, or used in multi-window modes.
- Use Window Size Classes
Android introduced Window Size Classes (compact, medium, expanded) to help developers design layouts that respond appropriately to screen configurations. Testing should confirm that the app behaves accurately across all size classes, maintaining usability and visual integrity.
- Test Across All Fold States
- Test your app in every possible fold posture:
- Folded (cover screen)
- Unfolded (main screen)
- Half-open (tent or book mode)
Ensure the UI dynamically transitions between these states without breaking or misplacing content.
- Validate App Continuity
Ensure that activities and fragments maintain their state during transitions. For example, if a user fills a form on the cover screen and unfolds the device, the data should persist without reloading or resetting.
- Use Jetpack WindowManager APIs
Use Android’s Jetpack WindowManager library to detect fold posture, hinge position, and screen separation. This helps simulate real-world foldable interactions during automated and manual tests.
- Test Multi-Window and Split-Screen Modes
Foldables often run apps side-by-side. QA teams should validate that the app behaves well in split-screen or freeform mode. This includes ensuring no layout overlap, proper scaling, and uninterrupted functionality.
- Handle Configuration Changes Gracefully
Folding and unfolding typically trigger configuration changes (like screen rotation or size change). Test that the app handles these changes properly using lifecycle-aware components, without restarting or losing state.
- Optimize Touch and Gesture Interactions
Foldables often support new gesture inputs, particularly near hinge areas. Make sure buttons, swipes, and taps work seamlessly across different fold positions and don’t get accidentally triggered near hinges.
- Use Real-Device Cloud for Broad Coverage
Access to real device testing for foldable smartphones like the Samsung Galaxy Fold and Samsung Galaxy ZFold 3 via cloud platforms simplifies testing efforts. With Pcloudy’s device lab, teams can perform both manual and automated testing across multiple configurations and devices, without maintaining in-house hardware. Features like remote gesture support, real-time performance analytics, video logs, and consistent test environments make it easier to identify hinge‑related or device-specific issues.
- Ensure Performance Under Load
Foldables often run multiple apps simultaneously. Test your app under multitasking scenarios to ensure it doesn’t consume excessive CPU, memory, or battery, especially when switching states or running in the background.
- Prioritize UX Consistency
Beyond technical stability, visual testing and functional testing must be done. Typography, icon alignment, and component scaling should remain consistent across orientations and window sizes.
- Test Camera, Sensors, and Permissions
Some foldables change the position or behavior of cameras and sensors based on posture. Make sure features like camera access, biometric authentication, and light sensors work reliably in all device states.
Book a personalized demo with Pcloudy and see how real-device testing on foldables can streamline your QA process.
Conclusion
As foldable smartphones enter the mobile space, an apt testing strategy must be implemented. Because they offer challenges like varied screen sizes and aspect ratios, device state transitions, and multitasking features, apps must be far more dynamic and responsive than ever.
The application should be tested for usage regardless of fold states, orientations, and display modes. Test cases should include inter-screen continuity, handling in multi-window environments, and smooth UI transitions. Ignoring these factors can lead to usability issues and user dissatisfaction.
By using the industry best practices and platforms like Pcloudy, teams can test their apps on real foldable devices without investing in expensive hardware. These platforms validate how well your app performs and its compatibility with UI behavior against real-time scenarios while also speeding up your releases and leaving the users at an elevated satisfaction level.
With the adoption and popularity of foldables continuing to rise, app quality will directly affect how well it adjusts to these devices. Thus, testing for foldables gives your product a path for long-term sustenance and sets you up to address user expectations, which keep updating in the mobile market.
FAQs
How is Android adapting to support foldable phones?
Support for foldable devices begins with responsive design. Responsive layouts enable an app to look and work great on a range of display sizes.
What is the main disadvantage of folding smartphones?
Generally less durable due to the complex folding mechanisms and flexible screen. Traditional Smartphones: Typically more durable with solid, non-flexible construction and fewer moving parts. Foldable Phones: Higher price range, often more expensive.
What is the difference between a foldable phone and a flip phone?
Fold phones often include a full-size cover screen that works like a regular smartphone display, allowing full functionality without unfolding. Flip phones have smaller external displays, useful for quick tasks like checking notifications or answering calls, but with limited interactivity.
