Foldable devices are no longer prototypes—they’re mainstream. From the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold to Microsoft’s Surface Duo, users are interacting with apps across dual screens, resizable windows, and hinge-based interfaces.

For QA teams, this presents a whole new category of use cases to validate. So the question is: Are you ready?

Why Foldable Devices Matter?

Users expect your app to work whether they’re browsing on one screen, unfolding to multitask, or using a split view across two apps. Fail to deliver, and they’ll switch to one that can.

Risks if untested:

• Layouts and UI elements shift, stretch, or disappear
• App relaunches or resets state when switching screen modes
• Poor compatibility with app continuity features

Key QA Challenges on Foldable Devices

Foldables don’t just stretch screens—they stretch assumptions. The variety of screen modes demands a rethink of responsive design and state management.

What to watch out for:

• Handling fold states (flat, tent, book, etc.)
• Managing window continuity across screen transitions
• Verifying correct input behavior across split or dual screens

Best Practices for Testing on Foldables

Your test strategy should cover UI responsiveness, state retention, and user flow adaptability across fold modes.

How to test smarter:

• Use the Android Emulator to simulate fold/unfold states
• Test drag-and-drop between screens (if supported)
• Validate animations and media playback across transitions
• Ensure consistent session handling from compact to expanded mode

Tools That Help

Foldable devices may still be niche, but you don’t need a warehouse of phones to test effectively.

Useful platforms:

• Android Studio Emulator with device configuration for foldables
• Remote device farms (e.g., Sauce Labs, BrowserStack, AWS Device Farm)
• On-device developer tools to simulate postures and multi-window scenarios

Concluding Words

Foldables aren’t the future—they’re the now. QA teams that build for these devices early gain a strategic edge in delivering polished, adaptive mobile experiences. And by incorporating foldable testing into your workflow, you’re not just fixing bugs—you’re futureproofing your app for the next generation of mobile devices.