Summary of the Analysis
Over the past five to six years, the foldable screen industry has been trapped in a paradox of being stuck between two extremes: those focusing on large, horizontal foldables have ended up with devices that are so heavy they’re almost like bricks to carry around, completely going against the purpose of portability; those focusing on small, vertical foldables have resulted in screens that aren’t much larger when unfolded, making the so-called “large-screen experience” a mere gimmick. Xiaomi’s new foldable phone doesn’t follow either of these extremes. Instead, it introduces a new category of “mid-size foldables” that aims to combine the two most desired features for users: a device that’s not too heavy to carry and still has a screen large enough for practical use. Essentially, the foldable screen industry has finally moved away from the artificial challenges created to differentiate products and started to focus on the actual needs of the majority of smartphone users.
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Explanation in Plain Language
Why did foldable screens become so extreme?
The reason for the extreme designs was simply that manufacturers were trying to differentiate their products in a lazy manner. They didn’t consider how ordinary users actually use their phones on a daily basis. Their main focus was on creating parameters that would attract attention, such as “my foldable has a 7.5-inch screen while yours has a 7-inch one”; they just kept increasing the screen size and made the devices heavier, with some models weighing up to 280 grams—almost like carrying two eggs in your pocket, which can be very uncomfortable after a long day. On the other hand, some manufacturers focused on making the devices small enough to fit into jeans pockets or women’s wallets, but the screens were only slightly larger than those of regular phones, offering no significant improvement in usability. In both cases, the extreme designs were a result of manufacturers avoiding the real issues and creating gimmicks, forgetting the original purpose of foldable screens, which was to provide both portability and a large screen.
The “mid-size foldable” solves the long-standing dilemma for users
Ordinary users who wanted to try foldable screens were faced with a tough choice: if you wanted a large screen for watching movies or working on multiple tasks simultaneously, you had to buy a large foldable, but it was too heavy to carry around, often ending up used as a home entertainment device. If you wanted a lightweight device, you had to buy a small foldable, which was more expensive than a regular flagship phone and offered no real benefits beyond its folding feature. The “mid-size foldable” solves this dilemma by being about the right balance—similar in weight to a regular phone, making it comfortable to carry, and with a screen that’s about half the size of a regular phone but still provides a great viewing experience. This is exactly what users have been asking for for years.
This new category isn’t just a marketing concept; it’s a necessary response to the stagnant smartphone market
The smartphone market has reached a plateau, with new flagship chips offering ample performance and everyone being able to take clear photos. Old phones still last for several years, leaving users with no reason to upgrade. As a result, sales have been declining for years, and manufacturers are eager to find new growth points. Although foldable screens were once touted as a replacement for regular phones, their low penetration rate (less than 10%) meant they were mainly for early adopters with extra money. The introduction of “mid-size foldables” targets the remaining 90% of users who haven’t tried foldable phones and offers a device that can truly serve as a daily essential, potentially opening up a new market with millions of potential customers.
If the “mid-size foldable” category succeeds, it will benefit ordinary consumers
The high cost of foldable phones (often in the tens of thousands of yuan) was due to the low sales volumes of both large and small models, which kept the cost of key components high. If the mid-size foldable category becomes popular, production volumes will increase, reducing the cost of these components. In a couple of years, a good mid-size foldable might be available for around three to four thousand yuan or even less. When that happens, consumers won’t need to spend a lot to get a device with a large screen and foldable functionality. Other manufacturers will also compete by offering even lighter and more affordable models, and over time, both the quality and price of foldable phones will improve, benefiting the general public.