In the modern business environment, we use smartphones to improve business processes. However, with the rise of remote and on-the-go work, average smartphone displays have proven insufficient to meet everyday tasks. As such, many have to carry laptops around to be able to work while on the move. But with foldable phones, hybrid and remote workers now have the option to switch to a more convenient device.

The innovation of smart foldable phones, like the Galaxy Z Fold4 5G, has spearheaded a new technological revolution for remote working and hybrid workforces. Research by IDC, Worldwide Foldable Smartphone Forecast, 2021–2025, February 2022, predicts that shipments of foldable phones will reach 27.6 million units in 2025 compared to 7.1 million units in 2021.¹ These smart devices empower workers to be more productive on the go with larger screens and improved computing capabilities while still offering single-hand usage.

The everywhere and anywhere nature of these mobile devices offers a powerful new tool for onsite and remote working conditions to ensure seamless connectivity and availability for hybrid workers. Yet, some companies still shy away from adopting foldable phones as part of their business operations because of the many myths surrounding them. Let us dive into some of the misconceptions that hinder the adoption of foldable phones for remote working: 

A huge factor that stops companies from investing in foldable phones is the misconception about their durability. Many assume that folding and unfolding the phone numerous times a day will damage the screen or hardware. In addition to that, there are concerns surrounding the durability of the phone in wet conditions and its ability to withstand rain.

Contrary to popular belief, foldable phones are more durable than you think. For instance, the Galaxy Z Fold4 5G comes with exceptional hinges, Gorilla Glass Victus+, and an armour aluminium body. These features allow the device to be durable and robust enough for working on the go.

Additionally, some foldable phones are water resistant with the IPX8 water-resistant rating, allowing the phone to remain submerged for up to 30 minutes without sustaining damage.² These features enhance the protection of foldable smart devices, so you can rest assured that outdoor conditions will not slow you down. 

Small screens often hinder remote workers from adopting smart devices because they cannot get a holistic view of their tasks and deliverables. Consequently, smaller screens prevent workers from jotting down notes or reading the fine print in contracts.

However, with foldable phones, workers can access a large display screen that enables teams to communicate and share screens without losing clarity.³ This is imperative in today's workforce as 75% of small businesses are employing the use of a remote or hybrid work model in 2022.⁴

The versatility of the foldable phone screen allows for better collaboration between internal and external teams, as workers can use the phone both single-handedly or as a tablet. Conversely, the screen doubles in size when unfolded and transforms into a tablet that workers use to view and sign documents, conduct presentations, and participate in virtual meetings. 

According to The Hybrid Workspace: Enabling Security and Mobility for an Agile Workforce January 2021 report by IDC, in partnership with Samsung, 50% of organisations planned to increase their spending on mobile devices.⁵ This means that more companies will rely on business communication applications, cloud storage, and project management databases and applications to optimise their day-to-day processes. Thus, it is crucial that their employees have uninterrupted access to them. However, employees worry that they cannot access their favourite workplace applications on smart foldable devices.

Foldable phones are complementary devices to your laptop or PC that run on Android operating systems, which are compatible with most workplace applications, such as Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, and other business applications.⁶ In fact, Google and Microsoft optimised several of their Android apps, such as Chrome, Gmail, Meet,⁷ and Microsoft OneDrive,⁸ for Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 5G.⁹

For workers that need a large screen, the Galaxy Z Fold4 5G can connect to a wireless display or monitor via Samsung DeX for a PC-like computing experience. Samsung DeX converts these smartphones into mobile PCs by acting as the central processing unit that bridges the two devices. With seamless integration and better connectivity, workers can communicate with their teams and access company folders, documents, and shared calendars to maximise productivity. 

When working on PCs or laptops, it is normal to have multiple tabs open to reference documents and sources. However, this is not commonly featured with smartphones, raising the concern of multitasking on foldable phones.

Foldable devices allow employees to use various apps and view multiple windows simultaneously. This paves the way for improved multitasking, boosting productivity for workforces who use apps like Microsoft Office, Teams, and Outlook concurrently without using a PC.⁸

Companies are often concerned about their enterprise devices' security as they contain sensitive information regarding their business.

Samsung foldable phones, like the Galaxy Z Fold4 5G, are equipped with Samsung Knox, a mobile security platform that protects all the data in your devices. Samsung Knox detects malware and hacking attempts in real time and immediately blocks access to sensitive data. It is designed to protect apps and data by defining the process and data that each app can access. Business owners can rest assured that company data is safe and secure under the protection of mobile security platforms, such as Samsung Knox. 

Many assume that investing in a stylus pen is purely for aesthetic value and offers no productivity value. Yet, workers can use styluses for so much more than just note-taking.

For instance, the main feature of the Samsung S Pen¹⁰ is its ability to convert your digital handwriting to text. When conducting presentations, the S Pen acts as a remote clicker that allows the presenter to navigate a presentation, play and pause videos, or snap a photo. With all these features, the S Pen can do so much more than you can imagine.

The bottom line is that foldable phones are the perfect devices to complement the new hybrid workforce. Recognising the value that foldable phones offer for remote working can set you apart from the competition and give you a competitive edge against other businesses in the market. 

Given that most of the misconceptions surrounding foldable phones are alleviated, you can stop worrying about their durability and reliability. Invest in foldable phones and start enhancing productivity and boosting business performance here.