Foldable Phones vs Standard Phones: Are Foldables Worth It in Pakistan?
In the everyday rhythm of Lahore's traffic, Karachi's bustle, and Islamabad's quiet evenings, most of us use phones for messages, social scrolls, photos, and often keep them in pockets or small bags. Standard phones (slab smartphones) have long been the norm. But foldables—phones that bend like a petal, expand like a book—are tempting. They promise more screen, flexibility, style. But the question: do they make sense here, in Pakistan? Considering cost, durability, usefulness, and service.
Below, I compare foldables vs standard phones, spotlight the top foldable models in the Pakistani market, and help you decide whether to invest in one.
What is a Foldable Phone
A foldable phone is a smartphone with a hinge: either folding inward (like a book "" "fold" form), folding outward ("flip" or "clamshell" style), or newer designs. When unfolded, they offer larger screens (tablet-like), more space for multitasking, media, productivity. When folded, they become more pocketable (depending on design). But these bring unique challenges.
What You Gain with Foldables
Foldables offer certain "poetic advantages":
Larger Screen Real Estate "" More space for multitasking (side-by-side apps), reading, sketching if you like. "" Better media/video experience "" watching movies, splitting screen, etc.
Novelty & Style "" They stand out. Carrying a foldable draws attention. Feels premium. "" The experience of unfolding, using an inner screen is satisfying in a way slabs can't match.
Compact "Dual Experience" "" For flip-style foldables, smaller "cover" screen for quick tasks, folded pocket size; then open for the more immersive screen. "" Possible better handling of multitasking for power users: work apps + messaging + media.
Flagship Features Packed In "" Foldables tend to come from premium lines: top chipsets, good cameras, decent displays. If you buy a foldable, you often get a lot of specs.
What You Lose / The Trade-Offs
But with all their charm, foldables have drawbacks—especially in the Pakistani context.
| Factor | What You Sacrifice / Challenges |
|---|---|
| Cost | Foldables are very expensive: both the purchase price, and import/PTA/taxes. The Z Fold 5, for example, costs over PKR 600,000 in many listings. |
| Durability | Hinges can wear, foldable screens (inner) are more fragile than flat glass; crease, wear over time. Screens may be plastic layers or more fragile glass. Water/dust resistance is often less robust or missing. |
| Battery & Thickness / Weight | Folding phones often are thicker, heavier. Also multiple screens draw more power, reducing battery life. More parts = more things that can fail. |
| Service & Repair Costs | Spare parts (folding screen, hinge) are expensive. Repairs often difficult locally, may require importing parts or servicing in limited service centres. High cost for screen replacement. |
| Practicality for Everyday Use | Folding and unfolding every time; bulk in pocket when folded; perhaps more fragile in rough handling. Also, the cost-benefit might not be justified if you mostly use phone for standard tasks. |
Top Foldables Available (or Known) in Pakistan & Their Key Specs
Here are some foldables that are / have been available or listed in Pakistan. This gives you a sense of what options exist, and how they compare.
| Model | Price (PKR) Approx | Key Specs | Pros / Unique Features | Where It Falls Short (in Pakistan context) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 | ~ PKR 550,000-660,000+ for 256-512-1TB variants in many stores. | 7.6-inch main foldable Dynamic AMOLED 2X 120Hz, cover outer screen (6.2-inch), Snapdragon high end chip (Snapdragon 8 Gen 2), 12GB RAM, 256/512/1TB storage, 4,400 mAh battery. | Flagship features: powerful processor, good cameras, premium design, multitasking, good for power users. | Very high cost; battery life not as strong vs big slab phones with larger batteries; weight and thickness; repair/spare parts cost; risk of damage in rough usage. |
| Oppo Find N5 | Not widely officially priced yet in Pakistan; described in February 2025 as a very slim foldable launched elsewhere. | Remarkably thin unfolded / folded; titanium hinge; premium construction. | Design prestige; better portability when folded; advanced hinge tech may improve durability. | Cost likely very high; repair/spare part availability may be poor; replacing folding screen likely costly; features may be "flagship niche" rather than everyday utility. |
(There are flip-fold models like Samsung Z Flip 5 / Flip 7, etc., but I did not find strong local PTA-approved listing or good stable prices in Pakistan at this time for many of them in my search.)
Cost Comparison: Foldables vs Standard Flagships / Mid-ranges
Standard flagship phones (slab phones) with similar performance (chipset, RAM, camera) often cost much less for similar specs in display, battery, camera. For example, if a Samsung S25 Ultra or Xiaomi 15 Pro does most of what a Fold 5 does (except folding) for perhaps half or less the price.
Taxes / customs / PTA import costs apply to foldables too, often more heavily because their declared values are high. Spare parts are more expensive to import.
For everyday usage, many users may find that a standard flagship gets them 80-90% of what they want at far lower cost and effort.
Durability / Repair / Service in Pakistan
Samsung is probably the most reliable brand in foldables locally, with official warranty and service centres. But even Samsung service likely charges premium for hinge repair or screen replacement.
Local repair markets often lack genuine spare foldable screens. Using non-genuine repair parts may lead to worse fold/crease, less stable hinge, loss of display quality.
Water/dust resistance is weaker in many foldables or limited to certain models. Dropping a foldable is riskier; carrying in bags without protection may lead to damage.
Battery life: foldables have more screen area (when unfolded) plus dual screens, which consume more battery. Also, folding/unfolding frequently might add stress to components.
Who Foldables Make Sense For "" Use-Cases
Foldables are not for everyone. Here are the types of users who might really benefit versus those for whom they're an expensive luxury.
| You Might Benefit From a Foldable If You "¦ | Foldable Might Be Worth It |
|---|---|
| Do a lot of multitasking (document editing, split-screen apps), or want the feel of a small tablet + phone in one. | Yes, the large inner screen helps productivity. |
| Use your phone as a media device (watching films, comics, reading, sketching) and value the immersive screen. | Yes, foldables shine in display experience when unfolded. |
| Want to stand out, show off premium design, enjoy novelty/tech luxury. | Yes, if you budget for it and accept trade-offs. |
| Don't mind spending extra, and can handle the risk of repair/fragile parts. | Yes, but ensure solid warranty, service centre, spare availability. |
| You Might Be Better Off with a Standard Phone If You "¦ | Save money, get more durability / simpler maintenance |
|---|---|
| Mostly use phone for social media, messaging, video, occasional multitasking but don't need a big inner screen. | Standard phones will serve you perfectly well. |
| Frequently drop phones, have rough handling, travel in harsh conditions. | Simpler slabs are more robust, cheaper to repair, back covers and screens more available. |
| Want longer battery life, lighter phone, cheaper repairs. | Slabs often win here because one screen rather than two, simpler components. |
| Budget is limited, or you want to maximize value per rupee. | You'll get much more value from non-foldable flagships or upper mid-ranges. |
Are Foldables "Worth It" in Pakistan in 2025?
After considering cost, durability, usefulness, and service, here is my view:
For many people, foldables are not yet worth the cost vs risk. The premium is huge, and the risk of damage, the weight, the repair cost means you must really need what they offer to make them worth it.
But for niche users "" power users, people who will use that inner large screen daily for productivity; enthusiasts who care about design; those who want showpiece tech "" foldables can justify their price. If you buy one, buy PTA-approved, get warranty, maybe extra protective cover, care about handling.
Over time, foldables will become more common, cheaper, with more durability improvements. Already we see better hinges, thinner foldable devices (like the Oppo Find N5), newer materials, better water/dust resistance claimed in new models globally. Pakistan might get more options soon.
Recommendation: My Verdict
If I were you, and thinking of spending large rupees:
Go for a standard flagship or high upper-mid phone unless you really will use the foldable features daily (reading, multitasking, sketching, media). You'll get more durability, lower cost of ownership, better battery in slabs, and easier / cheaper service.
If you decide on a foldable, Samsung Z Fold 5 seems the most mature option in Pakistan currently: strong specs, known brand, warranty/support potential. But expect its price to be VERY high (often PKR 500,000—650,000+ depending on variant).
If budget is a concern, skipping foldables and taking a flagship slab gives you more value.
Closing Thoughts (A Gentle Whisper)
A foldable is like a poem that opens its pages "" breathtaking when unfolded, but fragile, needing care. A standard phone is more like a well-worn novel "" reliable, ever-present, less dramatic but functional, resilient.
In Pakistan's climate, economy, roads, and everyday roughness—often what you don't lose matters more than what you can gain. If foldables give you real daily utility, go for it. If they only feel "cool," maybe wait a little longer until they become less a luxury, more a practical friend in pocket.
