“History Repeats Itself”

The amalgam of three words is a globally popular phrase that stands true in many instances, be it culture, fashion, or technology. Recall the time of foldable smartphones. Flaunting a flip phone was a significant trend among people of all age groups. Eventually, the trend vanished from the market but guess who’s back?

Foldable phones have made a stronger comeback in the market and now, they are here to stay for long. A couple of years ago, the foldable smartphone market saw an upsurge in its revenue touching 5.5 billion USD. Considering the pace of adoption, it is predicted that by 2025, the revenue will surpass 105 billion USD with a CAGR of 80%.

The foldable phones have revolutionized mobile app development. This is the time when mobile app developers need to rethink how to create an app for foldable smartphones. We’ve compiled an entire list of vital factors and intricacies that must be implemented to prepare the app for foldable smartphones.

The Impact of Foldable Smartphones on Mobile App Development

Android developers get more space when they create an app for foldable mobile devices. A foldable smartphone gets more screen space when unfolded due to which videos get sufficient room for seamless streaming on larger screens. 

Not just navigation, but multi-tasking on bigger screens becomes sublime. Users can easily switch between windows without getting the work stalled. Considering the growing popularity of foldable smartphones, many brands would soon unveil their flagship foldable mobile devices.

It means that test cases would upsurge owing to a different development environment. Hence, the mobile app development cost of foldable mobiles would be higher, as compared to native apps and hybrid apps. 

With all these comes a serious question for mobile app developers - how to create an app for foldable phones? Ahead, you’ll find answers to all your questions related to foldable mobile app development.

Foldable Phone Mobile App Development Technicalities

The following considerations are vital for developing an app for a foldable smartphone.

Screen Form Factor

While building mobile apps for a foldable smartphone, it is essential to consider the two major screens - Folded and Unfolded. The folded display of the smartphone screen is the primary display, whereas, the unfolded display screen is the regular display.

The user experience changes in both states of the screen because the device changes its size. Individuals usually operate their cell phones in a regular state but certain features like streaming videos and playing games would make the individual use the mobile in the unfolded state.

App Screen Continuity

In foldable smartphones, an app can effortlessly adjust itself according to the screen size when switched according to the screen size. Mobile app developers need to pay heed to the transition of the app when the user switches from folded to the unfolded state. 

The functionality of the app shouldn’t hamper the user experience. It should resume in the same state when the user folds or unfolds the mobile device. Hence, the app should save the UI state by supporting the change without swapping anything in the layout.

Multi-Window Feature

With the advent of foldable smartphone technology, operating multiple windows on the same screen has become possible. Previously, operating only one window was on the cards whilst the remaining windows were paused.

Now, it has become possible to operate multiple windows simultaneously with all of them in the resume/active state.

Screen Ratio

Developers must consider the latest android versions for developing apps for foldable smartphones. Mobile devices with Android version 10 and above support a wide range of screen ratios. Hence, mobile app developers must test the app for screen ratios ranging between 1:1, 3:2, 4:3, 5:3, 16:10, 16:9, 21:1, 21:9, and beyond.

This would help the app to adapt to various screen sizes without hampering the seamless user experience. The ultimate goal for testing the app for various screen sizes is to make it compatible with as many screen types in the market as possible. 

Foldable Phone App Development Stages

Building an app for a foldable smartphone can be a little time-consuming, however, developers cannot skip any step in the process. Here’s a quick look at the foldable mobile app development process.

Market Research & Competitor Analysis

It is essential to conduct market research before entering the competition. It will help in digging for answers to questions like potential competitors, target market, the purpose of the app, and its USP.

App Concept

Once you have sought answers to the questions in the previous stage, you’ll get a clear picture of the concept of the app. It will help you to figure out how users would engage with the app & what sort of features must be integrated for offering a seamless user experience.   

App Monetization Module

Your app for foldable smartphones will generate revenue once you decide on the monetization module. Usually, mobile apps spin revenue through different options. These options include in-app purchases, subscriptions, advertisements, and partnerships.

UI/UX Designing

Mobile app developers should be extra cautious about designing the UI and UX for foldable smartphone apps. Scaling all features while developing an app keeps it away from the pitfall. Hence, developers must make maximum use of enlarged screen space.

Marketing Strategy  

The promotion of an app should never be ignored, especially when it is a fresh entrant in the market. Since the launching strategy is equally important as the development strategy, it becomes paramount to promote the app rightly. 

An app for foldable phones can be promoted via different channels like paid marketing, content marketing, and many other ways. The right marketing strategy would surely bring in a lot of recognition for the app.

How To Create Apps For Foldable Smartphones - Key Takeaways

The new-gen foldable smartphones have made a stronger comeback. Samsung foldables in the market like the Samsung Galaxy Z fold series and Samsung Galaxy Z flip series have already fetched appreciation based on their operating system, battery life, rear cameras, and sturdy performance. Since Samsung is the ‘Czar of Foldables’, so far, it is the best example to get inspired from not only in terms of aesthetics but applications as well. 

Soon, the world would be witnessing an upsurge in the number of foldable smartphones. It has been forecasted that there will be an increase of 1.5% in the shipment of foldable smartphones by 2025 globally.

You came across the key factors that are mandatory for setting up a mobile app for foldable phones. By following these vital steps, creating an app for foldable phones would become easier because foldables are here to stay. With that being said, you can easily create the app for foldable phones in the right way. 

Guest post by Prateek Sharma