Designing UX/UI for Foldable Phones: Opportunities and Challenges in the Era of Foldables
In a world where technology is advancing at an unprecedented pace, foldable phones have emerged as one of the most exciting and challenging innovations for UX/UI designers. With increasing rumors about the arrival of a foldable iPhone and the success of Samsung in this market, foldable devices are not just changing the look of smartphones; they are reshaping how we interact with technology in our daily lives. This article will delve into the core principles, opportunities, and challenges of designing a user experience for these devices, with the goal of preparing UX/UI designers for the future that is on the horizon.
Why Are Foldable Devices Important for UX/UI?
Before we dive into the details of design, we need to understand why foldables are so crucial for the UX/UI field. These devices are not just a technological gimmick; they present a new form factor that offers unprecedented flexibility and potential for use:
• Flexible Screen Real Estate: From a compact, portable size when folded to a large, tablet-like screen when unfolded, the ability to adjust screen size is at the heart of foldable devices.
• Multi-modal Interactions: Users can interact with the device in multiple modes, whether using the outer screen for notifications and basic tasks or the large main screen for complex, immersive work.
• Potential for Multi-tasking: The larger screen when unfolded provides a better environment for multi-tasking than a typical smartphone.
• Design Innovation: Foldable devices push designers to think outside the box and create new solutions that were not possible on traditional devices.
Understanding this potential is the first step toward creating an excellent user experience for foldable phones.
Core Design Principles for Foldable Phones
Designing UX/UI for foldable devices is not just about adapting screen size; it’s a complete rethinking of the user’s interaction with the device. Here are the key principles designers should follow:
1. Continuity of Experience
This is the most critical principle. The user should have a smooth and continuous experience, whether transitioning from a folded to an unfolded mode or vice versa:
• Seamless UI Adaptation: When the user unfolds or folds the device, the UI should automatically and quickly resize and re-arrange elements without interrupting the task.
• Application State Persistence: If a user is watching a video or reading an article in folded mode, when they unfold the device, the content should instantly appear from where they left off on the larger screen.
• Managing Input Modes: Consider how input methods will change, such as one-handed typing on the small screen and two-handed typing on the large screen.
2. Leveraging Dual Screens
Many foldable devices have both an outer cover screen and a main inner screen. Good design should effectively utilize both:
• Outer Screen (Cover Screen): Ideal for quick tasks or notifications, such as replying to short messages, checking the time, controlling music, or taking a quick photo.
• Main Screen (Inner Screen): Used for tasks that require significant screen real estate, like reading long articles, watching videos, gaming, or running multiple apps simultaneously.
• Data Synchronization: Notifications or information displayed on the outer screen should be synchronized with the main screen to prevent redundancy and confusion.
3. Designing for Multi-tasking and Multi-window
The large screen of foldable phones allows users to open multiple apps simultaneously. The design must support this functionality:
• Screen Space Management: Design a UI that allows users to easily resize and reposition each app.
• Drag & Drop: Facilitate the easy transfer of data between open applications.
• Templates for Multi-window: Provide recommended layouts for common use cases, such as opening a chat app alongside a work app.
4. Considering Fold and Flex Modes (Hinge & Flex Mode)
The device’s hinge is not just a mechanical component; it creates unique design opportunities:
• Flex Mode / Tent Mode: When the device is partially folded, it can stand on a surface, allowing for hands-free video viewing or video calls.
• UI Adapts to Fold Angle: Designers can create a smart UI that changes its display based on the fold angle, such as splitting the screen into two parts, with the top showing a video and the bottom serving as a control panel.
5. Adaptability
Applications should be able to adapt to the environment and how the user is holding the device:
• Portrait/Landscape Adaptation: Not just for the main screen, but also adapting the UI when the device is folded and held vertically or horizontally.
• Whitespace Management: On a large screen, using whitespace appropriately is crucial to prevent the UI from looking either too cluttered or too empty.
Opportunities and Challenges for UX/UI Designers
Designing for foldable phones comes with both new opportunities and challenges:
Opportunities:
1. Creating Novel Experiences: Designers have the chance to create experiences that have never existed before, which will make their applications stand out and be memorable.
2. Product Design Innovation: Foldable phones push for the invention of new features and interaction models that leverage the flexible form factor.
3. Expanding Use Cases: Applications can offer a wider range of experiences, whether for work, learning, or entertainment.
4. Market Leadership: Designers and brands that can create an excellent UX/UI on foldable phones will have an opportunity to lead this new market.
Challenges:
1. Testing Complexity: Testing applications on foldable phones requires considering every mode of use, screen size, and fold angle, which is much more complex than with traditional devices.
2. Managing the Crease: The crease in the middle of the screen can affect visibility and touch interaction. Designers must consider the placement of key elements to avoid the crease.
3. Backward Compatibility: Designing for foldable phones should not degrade the experience on regular smartphones. Designers must ensure the application still works well on all device types.
4. Learning Curve: Designers must learn new principles and guidelines, which may require time and resources.
5. Lack of Specialized Tools: Although design tools are evolving, there are still no perfect tools that fully support foldable phone design, making prototyping and testing difficult.
6. User Expectations: Users have high expectations for new innovations. Failing to deliver an excellent experience can lead to disappointment.
Samsung and iPhone: Leaders in the Foldable Phone Market
When discussing foldable phones, we cannot overlook the two main players: Samsung, the market pioneer, and **Apple (iPhone), which will play a crucial role in the future.
Samsung: The Pioneer and Standard-Setter
Samsung has set the standard for foldable phones with its Galaxy Z Fold and Galaxy Z Flip series:
• Galaxy Z Fold: Focuses on productivity with a large, tablet-like screen and features like Multi-Active Window for efficient multi-tasking.
• Galaxy Z Flip: Emphasizes compactness and portability with a clamshell design that appeals to users who prioritize style and convenience.
• Flex Mode: Samsung has actively promoted Flex Mode, which allows users to position the device at different angles and use the bottom half of the screen as a control panel or keyboard.
What Designers Learn from Samsung: Samsung has shown that successful design must focus on practical use cases and problem-solving for users. Creating a software ecosystem that smoothly supports foldable phone usage is essential, as is collaborating with external app developers to optimize their apps for these devices.
iPhone (Apple): A Market-Changing Entry
Although Apple has not officially launched a foldable iPhone, rumors and patents suggest that Apple is seriously developing this technology:
• High Expectations: Apple’s entry into a market often sets a new industry standard and pushes the technology toward mass adoption.
• Apple’s Design Philosophy: It’s expected that a foldable iPhone will focus on simplicity, elegance, and a seamless user experience, which are Apple’s key strengths.
• Ecosystem Integration: Apple has a strong ecosystem (iOS, iPadOS, macOS). The design for a foldable iPhone will likely emphasize seamless interaction between different devices.
What Designers Should Prepare for with a Foldable iPhone: Designers should prepare for a design approach that may be "different" from Samsung's Android foldables. Apple might introduce new interaction models or usage patterns that have not been seen before, possibly focusing on a more complete integration of hardware and software.
Tools and Best Practices for UX/UI Designers
To design effectively for foldable phones, designers should consider the following tools and practices:
1. Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD: These tools remain central to UI design, but additional techniques are needed, such as using Auto Layout, Components, and Responsive Sizing to simulate UI adaptation on different screens.
2. Design Systems: A strong Design System will make creating adaptive UIs easier, as it allows for control over components and their resizing behavior.
3. Prototype Tools: Use prototyping tools that can simulate the device's state change, such as from folded to unfolded, to test the user flow.
4. Manufacturer Guidelines: Study the Design Guidelines published by Google (for Android) and, in the future, possibly Apple, to understand recommended principles and UI components.
5. Testing with Real Devices: If possible, test designs on a real foldable phone to understand the user's feel and experience.
Conclusion and the Future of Foldable Phones
Foldable phones are rapidly reshaping the smartphone landscape. With their potential to offer flexibility and a diverse range of use cases, they present a significant challenge and a huge opportunity for UX/UI designers.
Whether it's Samsung pioneering the market with its innovation or Apple's iPhone set to shake up the industry in the future, every designer needs to understand the core principles, learn from what has worked, and be ready to create new solutions to meet the needs of users in the era of foldable phones.
Designing for foldable devices is not just about creating a beautiful UI; it's about crafting a profound experience that understands context and provides a seamless flow for the user, no matter how they fold, unfold, or use the device. The future of UX/UI design depends on our ability to embrace change and create new things driven by these innovations.
