The term “foldable device” dates back to Nokia’s Morph concept, which was introduced in 2008. The availability of flexible OLED displays that can be folded into a double-size full-screen display is a distinguishing featureUsers get a better and more immersive experience with foldable devices. The Samsung Galaxy Fold, which is now available for purchase, is the most vivid example of such a device. Manufacturers of smartphones and tablets, on the other hand, are expected to become more interested in the technologyIn fact, Statista predicts that 75,6 million foldable smartphone displays will be sold by 2025. So now is the time to learn the fundamentals of developing apps for foldable devices.
HOW DOES FOLDABLE IMPACT APP DEVELOPMENT?
nWhile the concept of foldable technology is appealing to users, there is no clear understanding of how it will affect Mobile App Development Services and Website Development Services. With many companies exploring the new technology, the technology has already had a significant impact on the industryLet’s take a look at some of the changes and advantages foldable devices bring to app development:nnExtra screen real estate – the main goal of foldable devices is to give users an immersive experience by allowing them to use a large screen. The foldable technology combines two screens into one large screenSmall form factor – today’s users must choose between a small form factor and a large screen. They get everything in one device with foldable devicesWhile the concept of foldable technology is appealing to users, there is no clear understanding of how it will affect mobile app development. With many companies exploring the new technology, the technology has already had a significant impact on the industryLet’s take a look at some of the changes and advantages foldable devices bring to app development:nnExtra screen real estate – the main goal of foldable devices is to give users an immersive experience by allowing them to use a large screen. The foldable technology combines two screens into one large screenSmall form factor – today’s users must choose between a small form factor and a large screen. They get everything in one device with foldable devices.
CHALLENGES OF BUILDING APPS FOR FOLDABLE
nBefore diving into developing an app for foldable smartphones, make sure you know the challenges that will stand in your way. Consider the following factors to build a high-quality and user-friendly foldable application:n
1. SUPERIOR QUALITY
nNo one is saying that the development of apps for foldable devices is a walk in the park. You will need to keep in mind that foldable phones must provide multiple orientations and have a different aspect ratio from traditional smartphonesUser expectations, on the other hand, remain unchanged. They want to be able to use your app without any issues. As a result, you must understand how to create apps for foldable smartphones; otherwise, your app will be doomed.
2. ADDITIONAL TESTING
nDifferent use cases and scenarios are available with foldable solutions. You must test every feature and possible usage scenario to ensure that there are no bugs lurking in the background. More time and money will be spent on QA and testing the multi-window app as a result.
3. TIME AND COST OF DEVELOPMENT
nIf you decide to create a foldable device app or adapt an existing one, you will be entering a new territory with your solutionYou’ll have to design, develop, and test your app for a variety of modes and scenarios. With more work comes higher costs and the need for more time for development.
4. IMPROVEMENTS AND MODIFICATIONS
nFollowing the release of your app to the market, you will need to make a number of changes based on user feedback. If you already have an app and want to make it compatible with foldable devices, this is especially importantIf you want to learn how to overcome all of the aforementioned challenges while developing a foldable app, keep reading to learn about the best strategies for doing so.
MAIN CONSIDERATIONS FOR DEVELOPING APPS FOR FOLDABLE SMARTPHONES
nAs you may be aware, developing apps for foldable devices differs from developing traditional websites. From design to development and testing, you must keep it in mind at all times.
THERE ARE TWO SCREEN STATES
nOn foldable smartphones, the screen can be in two states: folded and unfoldedA foldable device resembles a regular smartphone or tablet when folded. The way users interact with the smartphone and its features is identicalA regular smartphone becomes a large-screen device when it is unfolded. The additional space provides an immersive experience as well as numerous challenges for feature developmentAs a result, your app will need to be designed to work in both states. You’ll have to figure out what happens after a user unfolds the device and which features will be displayed on screensA smartphone in its unfolded state provides a lot of room for developing new features that were previously impossible.
ONE-HANDED OR TWO-HANDED APP DEVELOPMENT
nThe state of the screen has an impact on the user’s overall experienceUsers interact with their smartphones with one hand in the majority of cases. They will need to interact with both hands in the unfolded state. As a result, the placement of user interface elements will need to be adjusted accordinglyAs a result, your app will need to be designed to work in both states. You’ll have to figure out what happens after a user unfolds the device and which features will be displayed on screensA smartphone in its unfolded state provides a lot of room for developing new features that were previously impossible.
ONE-HANDED OR TWO-HANDED APP DEVELOPMENT
nThe state of the screen has an impact on the user’s overall experienceUsers interact with their smartphones with one hand in the majority of cases. They will need to interact with both hands in the unfolded state. As a result, the placement of user interface elements will need to be adjusted accordinglyAs a result, your app will need to be designed to work in both states. You’ll have to figure out what happens after a user unfolds the device and which features will be displayed on screensA smartphone in its unfolded state provides a lot of room for developing new features that were previously impossible.
1. DISCOVERY STAGE
nThe discovery stage is critical to the long-term success of your foldable app, as it allows you to save time and money on future reworksIf you work with an IT vendor, the discovery stage will be used to determine your needs, technical requirements, and how the development team will approach the projectThe following are some of the most important deliverables from the discovery stage:nnMarket researchnnAnalyze your competitorsnnSpecifications for functionalitynnBacklog of productsnnUX/UI design takes up a significant portion of the discovery stage. You’ll need to create the logic behind the user interface, figure out how users will interact with your foldable app, and design the UI’s visual elementsThe following are examples of UX/UI deliverables:nnWireframes for user experiencennMockups of user interfacesnnElements of brandingnnAnimations and illustrationsn
2. DEVELOPMENT STAGE
nThe development stage is where your application’s coding and creation takes place. You’ll need to define the entire set of future tasks, create project specifications, and set an implementation timeline at this pointDevelopment is usually broken down into several stages:nnCoding – laying the groundwork for your future application, including API integration and other third-party solutionsQA & Testing – an important part of mobile app development that ensures that the functionality is implemented as specified. This stage typically consists of various types of testing and QA, depending on the type of applicationDeployment, Ongoing Development, and Support – After your foldable app is released to the market, you’ll need to keep working on it. Ongoing support and updates will keep it afloat, allowing it to surprise users with new features and fix bugs in a timely manner.
CONCLUSION
nIn the world of mobile devices, foldable devices are just getting started. Samsung’s foldable smartphones are the most striking example. Experts predict that the future of technology will be dominated by foldable devices. Now that you’ve learned how to make a foldable app, it’s time to put what you’ve learned into practice.
