Technologies

CNET Survey: 64% of People Still Don’t Want a Foldable Smartphone

Despite the growing hype around foldables from companies like Samsung and Motorola — and maybe someday Apple — most smartphone buyers have their hesitations.

Foldables have been a staple of the smartphone release cycle for years now, with products from companies like Samsung, Motorola and Google. Despite the refreshingly unique form factor in a sea of mobile uniformity, the vast majority of consumers still aren’t sold.

According to a CNET survey, 64% of respondents say they aren’t willing or interested in buying a foldable smartphone in the next year, while just 13% say they are. An additional 20% aren’t sure if they want a foldable and only 3% say they already own one.

Foldables began making a resurgence in smartphone form about six years ago, when Samsung released the first Galaxy Z Fold and Motorola brought back the iconic Razr. Other companies like Google, Honor, Oppo and Huawei have released their own foldable devices, from book-style iterations to clamshell versions.

There’s still one key player that hasn’t entered the game yet: Apple, which has been rumored to be developing a foldable iPhone for several years now. Reports say it’s working with Samsung Display to develop screens for that upcoming phone. It’s possible that once Apple enters the foldables space, interest will grow across the board.

«Apple’s potential entry in the market later in 2026 could indeed help [with] legitimizing and democratizing the category,» Thomas Husson, principal analyst at Forrester, told me this month.

A niche market

Despite the amount of options, foldables remain a niche market. They make up less than 5% of smartphone shipments, according to a report by TrendForce. But sales are expected to rise. An IDC report says foldable shipments will reach 45.7 million units worldwide by 2028, a significant increase over the 18.1 million units shipped in 2023. Still, adoption is relatively slow.

«It’s a pretty big commitment for the average user to switch something they depend on so much,» Ryan Reith, group vice president for IDC’s Worldwide Device Tracker, told me ahead of Samsung Unpacked in early July. «Nobody wants a trade-off, especially when you’re going to make that big transition.»

That’s why companies are fighting tooth and nail to make their phones sleeker, cheaper and more powerful — to varying degrees. Samsung’s latest Galaxy Z Fold 7 puts the emphasis on a slimmer build and better camera, while slapping on a $2,000 price tag that will likely make it appeal only to die-hard tech enthusiasts or people without strict budget constraints.

Motorola, meanwhile, has focused on developing more budget-friendly versions of its Razr smartphones, so you don’t have to break the bank to tap into that foldable nostalgia in 2025 and beyond. (Samsung also has a «more affordable» version of its Galaxy Z Flip 7 that starts at $900).

Still, appealing to a wider consumer base can be challenging, especially when so many people have reservations.

The barriers to buying a foldable

Some of the biggest issues preventing people from buying a foldable smartphone are high prices (36%), durability concerns (31%), not understanding the advantages over a regular phone (31%) and a perceived lack of practicality (26%). Also, 15% of people say foldables are too bulky, 10% said their preferred brand doesn’t make a foldable yet and 8% are concerned about subpar camera quality.

Many of those perceptions could soon change, thanks to the release of phones like the Z Fold 7, which focuses on thinness, durability and a higher-grade camera. But other factors like a high price can still be a hindrance. And if you’ve sworn allegiance to another brand like Apple, it’s possible nothing will convince you to switch to a foldable until that specific company makes one. That’s the power of brand allegiance.

The resistance to buying a foldable phone is fairly consistent across age groups. Millennials are the most keen to venture into foldable territory, with 19% of respondents saying they’d be interested in buying one in the next year (nostalgia no doubt plays a role here). They’re followed by 14% of Gen Zers who would be willing to make that purchase, 10% of Gen Xers and 8% of Boomers.

So far, that doesn’t appear to be stopping phone makers from putting their hat in the ring and seeing if they can convince shoppers to fold.

Methodology

CNET commissioned YouGov Plc. to conduct the survey. All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 2,121 adults, of whom 2,064 do not own a foldable smartphone. Fieldwork was undertaken between July 1 and 3, 2025. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all US adults (aged 18+).

Technologies

Verum Messenger Launches an AI Mini-Series

Verum Messenger has unveiled a new project — a mini-series created using Verum AI. The story consists of 7 episodes and will be released on the messenger’s social media channels.

The plot revolves around a global corporation seeking to take control of digital communications and a group of heroes who use Verum Messenger as a tool of resistance. Beyond the story itself, the series highlights the app’s key features, technologies, and advantages.

Combining entertainment with a showcase of the Verum ecosystem, the project presents a dynamic digital series designed for the modern era.

The first episode premieres today, with the remaining episodes to be released over time.

Stay tuned for more.

Watch on YouTube
Watch on Instagram

Technologies

Verum Finance: Earn While You Communicate — The Super App That Pays You

Verum has officially launched Verum Finance, an innovative financial application that transforms a private messenger into a true financial super app. News of the launch was also featured on the respected platform Dealroom.co.

Verum Finance can now be used both within Verum Messenger and as a standalone application for iPhone and iPad. When users sign in to Verum Finance with their Verum Messenger account, all balances, settings, and account data are automatically synchronized for maximum convenience.

Users can now do more than communicate securely and protect their data — they can also generate passive income directly within the ecosystem.

What Verum Finance Offers

• Top up your balance with a bank card, Apple Pay, or USDT
• Send money instantly anywhere in the world
• Issue and manage debit cards (virtual and physical)
• Full Apple Pay support
• Exchange assets and withdraw funds quickly

One of the most unique features is the built-in cryptocurrency mining system inside Verum Messenger.

The application utilizes your device’s resources and allows you to earn cryptocurrency in the background — passively, while chatting, traveling, or simply using the messenger.

Maximum Privacy + Real Freedom

• Registration without a phone number, email address, or passport
• End-to-end encryption and full control over your data
• Lifetime free VPN
• eSIM connectivity in more than 150 countries
• Reliable offline communication mode
• Support for 12+ languages for users worldwide

Everything is available in one place: secure communication, financial tools, earning opportunities, and privacy protection.

Users can access the full experience directly within Verum Messenger or switch to the dedicated Verum Finance app for iOS. All data is synchronized automatically between the two applications.

Why Download Verum Today

While many messaging platforms collect user data and expose users to restrictions, Verum offers greater independence and the opportunity to earn.

With a one-time purchase of the feature package, users receive lifetime access to privacy tools, VPN, eSIM services, cryptocurrency mining, and financial features.

This is more than just a messenger.

It is your personal tool for financial and digital freedom.

Download Verum Finance and Verum Messenger today — start communicating securely and begin earning tomorrow.

Download Links:

→ App Store (iPhone / iPad): Verum Finance
→ App Store (Verum Messenger): Verum Messenger

Technologies

Verum Finance: A Super App for Private Finance Integrated Into a Messenger

Verum Finance has announced the launch of a new financial application that allows users to manage their money directly within the secure Verum Messenger ecosystem.

The project has already attracted attention from major media outlets. A dedicated feature was published by Forbes Türkiye, while one of the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchanges, MEXC, covered the launch. Yahoo Finance had previously reported on the evolution of Verum Messenger into a comprehensive financial ecosystem.

What Verum Finance Offers

Verum Finance transforms a messenger into a complete financial platform. Users can:

• Manage their balance and top up using bank cards or USDT
• Send money instantly to other Verum users
• Issue and use debit cards, including Apple Pay support
• Exchange assets and withdraw funds
• Access all these services without installing separate banking applications

A strong emphasis is placed on privacy. The platform offers registration without a phone number or email address, end-to-end encryption, and full user control over personal data.

Recognition from Forbes Türkiye

In a dedicated article, Forbes Türkiye highlighted Verum Finance as a notable example of modern privacy-driven fintech. The publication emphasized the growing trend of financial services moving from standalone banking applications into unified messaging ecosystems — a model that has proven successful in Asia through platforms such as WeChat and Alipay and is now expanding globally.

Support from the Crypto Community

Alongside the Forbes Türkiye coverage, news about the launch of Verum Finance was also featured by MEXC, one of the world’s leading cryptocurrency exchanges. This reflects growing interest in the project from both traditional business media and the cryptocurrency community.

A Strategic Vision

“We are building more than a payments application and more than a messenger. Verum is a unified secure ecosystem where communication, finance, and privacy tools work together,” the company stated.

Verum Finance is now available for iPhone and iPad users. The application complements Verum Messenger, which offers anonymous chats, voice and video calls, VPN services, eSIM connectivity, and other tools designed to enhance digital freedom.

Verum Finance: https://finance.verum.im

Verum Messenger: https://verum.im