Factors to Consider when Planning Foldable App Development

A lot of companies were working on the foldable device concepts. However, it wasn’t until 2020 that the foldable phone technology came into existence. The first foldable phone was released by Motorola named Razr, followed by Samsung Flip and then Samsung Fold. Today, several players in the market compete against each other to gain a maximum share of voice. The release of a new concept also led to an opportunity for mobile apps.

The existing mobile apps may not work with the foldable devices, as the apps need to fold when the phone folds. That’s why foldable app development is gaining popularity, and many companies are considering being the first-movers in their niche to offer exceptional experience on foldable devices.

Before we move to the users, let’s look at a few numbers that will help us understand this technology better. It is essential to know if the phones are part of another fad or really will change the world for the better.

According to a survey conducted by Gartner, the foldable phone market will be 5% of the high-end phone market by 2023.

By 2022, the global shipment of foldable devices will reach 50.1Mn units.

These statistics show that the foldable devices will penetrate the market and lead to a significant overhaul in the coming times.

What will Users Expect in Foldable App Solutions?

As a developer or a decision-maker of a mobile app company, you are responsible for ensuring that the foldable apps meet the end user’s expectations. However, this becomes a tad bit impossible if you aren’t aware of how the users think of mobile apps in their foldable devices.

The device can be folded outside or inside. As a result, the apps may go from being on a single screen to two screens, depending on whether the phone was opened or closed. This plays a pivotal role in the customer experience. Here are some of the things that the end-user may expect.

1. Uncompromised app quality

Whether developing a regular high-end phone or a foldable phone, your quality should be unmatched. However, when creating a foldable phone, you need to use high-quality visuals that can captivate the users with intelligent OLED technology.

The idea is to use the best technology and best units to provide quality view and app navigation through the foldable device.

2. High-performance app solutions

There can be no compromise on the app’s performance and speed either. You will notice that users don’t stay on an app that shows low performance or loads slowly. The app transition should be smooth and seamless whether they are viewing on the folded screen or a split-screen. It should not impact the speed of the app either.

3. Accessible app solutions

When you are operating a regular phone, it allows you to reply to your friend or another person without unlocking the screen. However, when it comes to a foldable device, your user should be able to respond or access certain aspects of the device without flipping the phone open.

For example, the user should be able to use the messenger in the folded state. This is just one example of things work.

Things to Consider When Designing Apps

By now, you would have realized how a foldable app works differently than a regular app solution. It isn’t like any other app solution. You have to consider different aspects, including forms and possibilities, when designing them. Every strategist or foldable app team needs to consider a few design considerations before enrolling the features.

#1 The different states

The foldable phone will not remain in one state forever. It will move from being in the folded state to a flipped open state and vice versa. Your app should be able to transition to both states and give the same experience.

When you are designing for the folded screen, your design will be slightly more compact than the flipped open screen. The size, form factor, and even the whole feel of these two states differ. So, within a single device, you are accessing two different states or types of devices.

#2 One or two-handed use

How does the user use the applications in the niche you are operating?

• Do they use their thumb to complete the exercise?
• Do they use two hands to use the mobile application?

Again, this leads to how they hold the phone in one hand while operating it using the other. Designers need to create a profile of how the mobile devices are used before they can conclude the design for the app. It helps understand how and what level of accessibility you need to offer.

For instance, if you think the users tend to use the mobile device with their thumb, you might want to leave the unreachable areas from your design scope.

#3 The app continuity

Imagine this- when the user transitions from the folded to flipped open or vice versa screen while using the app. Will the app shut down? Will the app that was running on another screen stop for the moment?

You need to think through app continuity during the design phase itself. It helps you ensure the experience is not ruined while the user is operating the application. It also gives the developer to identify ways to ensure continuity and seamlessness while running the app.

The Step-by-step Guide to Foldable App Development1. App Exploration and Discovery

You have an app idea or an existing app that you want to translate into the foldable app. The exploration and discovery phase is essential before you start strategizing or even developing the app solution. In this phase, you verify the app idea, check for end-users, and identify the target market to know it better.

You will also need to identify the competition operating in this niche and what they have to offer their customers. The exploration phase is also when you try and determine why your competition is doing better and what they tend to provide your customers.

2. The Business Model

Once you have validated the market for the app idea and checked its feasibility, it is time to think through the business model. How do you aim to earn from the application? The earlier you decide this, the better it would be for development. It will help you identify the phases, features, and process for development.

Eventually, this business model will help you set forth the development plan and gain maximum returns.

3. Features for the App

Once your business model is defined, it is essential to choose the features you want to include in the mobile app. The business model combined with the elements will help you know what will be part of the free app solution versus what will be included in the premium foldable app solution.

You can prepare a detailed list of all the features based on understanding the market, the existing features, and the gaps that the customers feel.

4. Choosing the IT Partner

Before you enter this step, you might need to decide whether you want to go through with the development in-house or outsource it to a reliable company. If you plan to outsource, choosing the right solution partner plays a pivotal role.

You need to ensure that the partner company has a rich experience, vast expertise, and in-depth knowledge that can help you gain a competitive advantage. Check with their clientele and also go through their website before concluding the partner.

5. Prototype Approval

This is the stage where you will know how your mobile app will look and whether you want to go ahead with the same. The company should ideally come up with prototypes displaying the UI/UX for the mobile app.

The development should begin only after you have approved the prototypes. Any changes you aim to make to the mobile app should ideally be done at the prototype stage.

6. Development and Deployment

This is a critical phase as it includes coding and other aspects that detail everything about the app. It is during this phase that your app goes from being an idea to reality. Make sure you have a phased app development and deployment strategy so that you can make the changes as soon as the build happens. Thorough testing cannot be compromised if you want to make sure the customer experience is exceptional.

Conclusion

It is not enough to build a reliable app solution. It would help if you planned a conclusive go-to-market strategy so that your app gains traction and people start downloading the same.

At the core, make sure your foldable apps are intuitive and straightforward. Accessibility and continuity are features you cannot ignore when developing foldable apps.

Expert App Devs are expert mobile app developers with a legacy of exceptional and experiential mobile app solutions. We have proficiency in varied technologies such as React Native, Flutter, and AngularJS. Whether you want a foldable app solution or a cross-platform app development, our dedicated team will offer you reliable and capable solutions that assure impressive experiences and better conversions.

These statistics show that the foldable devices will penetrate the market and lead to a major overhaul in the coming times.

We are a leading-edge mobile software and IoT solutions provider with award-winning teams of mobile app designers and mobile app developers.