Designing for Foldables & Wearables: Layouts Beyond Phones

Your next killer app might need to fold in half – or shrink to the size of a watch face. It's not sci-fi: in 2024 alone, over half a billion wearable devices shipped worldwide [1] and foldable phone shipments (nearly 18 million last year) are projected to reach 70 million by 2027 [2]. Mobile form factors are evolving fast, and responsive design is stepping off the familiar rectangle of the smartphone.

Beyond Phones: Why Foldables and Wearables Matter

The mobile experience is no longer one-size-fits-all. Foldable smartphones – devices with screens that unfold into tablet-like displays – and wearable devices like smartwatches are gaining traction. By early 2023, a consumer survey found 28% of U.S. smartphone users were highly likely to choose a foldable as their next phone [3]. Major manufacturers have jumped in: Samsung's Galaxy Z series now has multiple iterations, Google launched the Pixel Fold, and rumors suggest Apple may debut a foldable by 2026 [4]. Meanwhile, the installed base of foldables in the U.S. already hit 4.7 million in 2022 [3]. These numbers show that foldables are moving past novelty status and into the consideration set for consumers.

Wearables are even more ubiquitous. The global wearables market (think smartwatches, fitness bands, earbuds) reached 534.6 million units shipped in 2024 [1] – a 5.4% year-over-year growth. Smartwatches in particular have exploded; Google announced in May 2023 that its Wear OS user base had grown 5× since 2021 [5] after revamping the platform. Apple's Watch continues to dominate with roughly 28% market share as of 2024 [6], but competitors like Samsung (recently growing 3% YoY) and Xiaomi (fastest-growing in 2024) are closing in [6]. In short, people are strapping screens to their wrists in record numbers.

Trends driving this shift: On the foldables side, consumers crave larger screens for productivity and entertainment without giving up pocketability. Foldable owners report using their devices for tasks usually reserved for tablets – editing documents, split-screen multitasking, or watching videos on a bigger display when unfolded [2] and [2]. On wearables, users expect quick-glance convenience – checking notifications, health stats, or controlling music without pulling out a phone. Both Google and Apple have heavily invested in these categories, signaling they're not just fads. Google's Android has introduced adaptive UI frameworks (like Jetpack Compose and WindowManager updates) to ease development for foldable, multi-screen, and wearable layouts [7] and [8]. Apple's watchOS 10 delivered the platform's first major UI overhaul, focused on widgets and ultra-glanceable interactions to better serve smartwatch users [9].

For product managers and app designers, the message is clear: mobile UX now spans a spectrum of screen sizes and contexts. An app confined to a 6-inch phone screen risks feeling outdated as user expectations evolve. Next, we'll explore the concrete benefits of designing responsive layouts for foldables and wearables – and how they can give your product an edge.

Foldable UI Design Benefits: Real Examples and Payoffs

Designing for foldable devices isn't just a tech vanity project; it offers tangible user and business benefits. When folded, these devices behave like regular phones, but unfolded they unlock tablet-like experiences. Here are some key foldable UI design benefits and examples:

• Tablet-grade productivity on the go: A fold-out phone provides a mini tablet screen whenever needed. This larger real estate lets users comfortably perform tasks that were clumsy on a phone. For example, in a Nielsen Norman Group study (Jan 10, 2025), a construction engineer noted he stopped carrying an iPad on site – instead, he uses a foldable phone to review blueprints on a big screen, then folds it back to pocket size [2]. By adapting your app's layout for expanded mode, you enable serious work (document editing, dashboards, spreadsheets) to happen anywhere. Multiscreen responsiveness means your app can show more content and multiple panels when the device is open, boosting productivity and engagement [2].
• Advanced multitasking and "windowed" interactions: Foldables invite users to do more at once. Many foldable phones support split-screen or multi-window modes, letting users run two or more apps side by side. For instance, someone might have a messaging app open alongside a spreadsheet, or compare two shopping sites simultaneously. An optimized hinge-aware layout can even treat the two halves of an unfolded screen as distinct zones. Microsoft's Surface Duo (a dual-screen device) pioneered this with one app able to span both screens or display a companion pane on the second screen. Android's Jetpack WindowManager library provides the APIs to detect hinge position and state – e.g. whether the device is half-open (like a laptop), the orientation of the hinge, and if the hinge creates separate display areas [8]. By leveraging these signals, your app can avoid rendering critical buttons under the crease or can shift content to avoid the hinge entirely. The payoff is a smoother experience: users can reply to a text on one side while a video plays on the other, or drag-and-drop between apps, without your UI breaking. Apps that make multitasking seamless on foldables stand out to power users.
• Innovative new use cases (and fun factor): Foldables enable modes of use impossible on flat phones. A prime example is the half-folded posture on devices like the Galaxy Z Flip. When half-open and set on a table, the phone's bottom half can act as a base and the top half as a display – essentially turning into its own stand. Samsung's camera app uses this mode to allow hands-free group selfies and stabilized shots at tricky angles. Similarly, YouTube in "Flex mode" shows the video on the top and playback controls on the bottom when a Galaxy Fold is partly folded like a mini laptop. These are delightful experiences your app can tap into: imagine a recipe app that, when the phone is half-open on the counter, shows instructions on the top screen and controls (or even ingredient checklists) on the bottom. Such context-aware behavior feels magical to users and can keep them coming back. It's no surprise that user satisfaction rises when apps take advantage of foldable features rather than just treating the device like a normal phone [2] and [2]. Supporting novel use cases can also earn your app free marketing—Samsung and Google frequently showcase third-party apps that shine on new form factors.
• Future-proofing and premium user base: Foldable adopters today tend to be tech enthusiasts and professionals willing to spend top dollar on devices. In other words, they're a valuable segment of users. By optimizing for foldables, you signal that your brand is forward-thinking and attentive to cutting-edge user needs. There's also a competitive advantage: many apps still don't handle foldable transitions elegantly (e.g., glitching out when the screen size changes or not using the extra space well). Being among the first in your domain to offer a great foldable experience can earn loyal users and positive press. And even if foldables remain a moderate slice of the market (analysts predict ~5% of smartphones by 2028 [2], the learnings translate to other large-screen scenarios like tablets, desktop apps, or even the emerging dual-screen laptops. In short, designing for foldables forces you to build a more responsive, adaptable product – a capability that will pay dividends across platforms.

Of course, capturing these benefits means rethinking your layout approach. You'll need to implement responsive design beyond the usual breakpoints. This might involve using constraint-based layouts that fluidly adjust, loading different layouts or components depending on screen configuration, and thoroughly testing state changes (fold, unfold, rotate). It also means considering continuity: if a user starts a task on the small folded screen and then opens the device, is your app state preserved and enhanced on the big screen? Consistency is key; users shouldn't feel they have to relearn the UI when they switch modes [2]. Get it right, and you create a frictionless, flexible experience that delights users – and keeps them engaged longer.

Wearable App UX: Designing for Glanceability and Context

If foldables stretch app design to tablet dimensions, wearables shrink it to wrist-size. Designing for a smartwatch (whether Apple's watchOS or Google's Wear OS) requires an entirely different mindset from phones, but it opens new possibilities to engage users throughout the day. Let's look at what defines great wearable app UX and why it's worth pursuing:

• Ultra-quick interactions: It's said that the average smartwatch interaction is about 5 seconds long [10]. Users expect to get in, get information (or perform a quick action), and get out. This means your wearable UI must be minimalist, glanceable, and focused on the top priority content. Apple's design team for watchOS 10 emphasized that interfaces need to be "glanceable, actionable, and responsive" given the watch's tiny screen and brief use bursts [9]. In practice, this means using large, legible text or iconography, concise information (maybe one metric or notification at a time), and one-tap actions. For example, a weather app might just show the current temperature and an icon for rain – detailed forecasts can stay on the phone. Designing for Wear OS or watchOS isn't about porting your entire app, but intelligently extending relevant pieces of it to the wrist.
• Contextual convenience: Wearables are intimate devices – literally attached to the user's body – and often accessed hands-free or in motion. This creates opportunities for context-aware features. A well-designed wearable app can proactively surface what the user needs in the moment. Think of how fitness apps start tracking when they detect you're running, or how music apps on a watch show playback controls during an active workout session. With the upcoming Wear OS 6 and Apple's watchOS updates, both platforms are leaning into context and proactive assistance. Apple's watchOS 10 Smart Stack, for instance, lets users scroll through widgets like calendar events, timers, or travel cards that update based on time of day and activity [11] and [9]. As a product designer, aligning with these patterns (like providing useful complications/widgets for watch faces, or using background sensors/data to trigger notifications) can greatly enhance user experience. Done right, a wearable app becomes a seamless extension of your service that users appreciate at a glance – boosting engagement for use cases where phones are less ideal (e.g. navigating a city on foot, monitoring heart rate, controlling smart-home devices from the couch).
• Personal and unobtrusive UX: A challenge on wearables is balancing usefulness with not overwhelming the user. Notifications or prompts on a watch should be timely and relevant, or users will simply turn them off. The most successful wearable apps tailor their content to the user's personal context. For example, a task management app might remind you of a due task on your watch only when a meeting ends and you have free time, instead of buzzing frequently. Privacy and discretion also play a role – sensitive info might need to be blurred or simplified on a watch to avoid onlookers seeing it. Voice interaction is another aspect of wearable UX: many Wear OS and watchOS apps accept voice commands or dictation (for instance, replying to a message by voice) to compensate for tiny keyboards. As you design, consider how your app's core functions can be distilled to one or two simple voice or tap interactions. Adaptive design is crucial here; your wearable UI should gracefully handle cases like the user having an older round watch versus a newer square one, or differences between Apple Watch screen sizes. The good news is frameworks like Compose for Wear OS (for Android) and SwiftUI on watchOS make it easier to create flexible layouts that adjust to these variations. By focusing on context and simplicity, you create a wrist-based experience that complements your smartphone app and keeps users engaged with your ecosystem.

It's worth noting that wearable users are often power users of your product's ecosystem. An Wear OS watch owner likely uses many Google services, and an Apple Watch owner is probably deep in the iPhone universe. Supporting these devices can increase user loyalty and even attract new users who prioritize apps that work on all their gadgets. Plus, as Wear OS 4 and 5 roll out (with rumored Wear OS 6 on the horizon), Google is making wearables more capable – from better health tracking to standalone apps on watches. Apple's watchOS is similarly maturing, adding capabilities like downloads, widgets, and advanced health sensors. This means the gap between what a watch app and phone app can do is narrowing. Forward-thinking product teams are already experimenting with features that might start on the wrist and transition to the phone or vice versa (for example, capturing a voice memo on your watch that you edit later on your tablet). By getting into the wearable space now, you're positioning your app for a more ambient, multiscreen future where experiences flow between devices.

Next Steps: Adapting Your App for a Multiscreen Future

Responsive layouts beyond phones may sound complex, but a few practical steps can get you moving in the right direction:

1. Audit your user base and devices: Start by understanding how many of your users are already on foldables or wearables (or express interest in them). Tools like Google Analytics can detect large-screen Android devices, and you can run surveys to gauge interest in a companion smartwatch app. If 5–10% of your audience is on these devices – or if you're targeting tech-savvy or professional segments – that's a strong signal to prioritize adaptation.
2. Explore platform guidelines and libraries: Both Google and Apple provide extensive design guidance for new form factors. Google's Material Design offers adaptive layout patterns for large screens and Wear OS surfaces, and Apple's Human Interface Guidelines cover Apple Watch UI components. Make use of modern frameworks: for Android, Jetpack WindowManager (for foldables) and Jetpack Compose can drastically simplify implementing dynamic layouts [7] [8]. For Apple, SwiftUI's responsive design capabilities will help create layouts that scale from iPhone to iPad to Watch. These tools handle a lot of the heavy lifting once you plan your UX.
3. Design with breakpoints and states in mind: Sit down with your design team and map out how your app's interface should reflow or transform across different states. For a foldable, that might mean defining a "phone view" vs. an "expanded view" – perhaps using a two-column layout or additional panels when open. Determine what content is most important in a glance on a watch versus what can be tucked away. You might sketch wireframes for a 1.5-inch circular display (typical smartwatch), a 7-inch tablet (foldable open), and the familiar phone – and ensure your core user journeys are smooth on each. Set responsive breakpoints wisely (beyond the standard mobile/tablet/desktop) to include foldable mid-sizes [2]. Don't forget to account for the hinge or notch on foldables, and the always-on or quick-peek modes on watches.
4. Test on real devices or emulators: There's no substitute for seeing your app in action on these form factors. Use Android Studio's device emulator to simulate folding/unfolding and various Wear OS watch types. Apple's Xcode simulators can run watchOS apps. Better yet, get your hands on a popular foldable phone (Samsung Galaxy Z Fold/Flip or others) and a mainstream smartwatch from each ecosystem. Use your app in different scenarios: half-fold the phone, rotate it, go for a run with just the watch. You'll quickly spot UI glitches and opportunities. Iterate based on this testing – perhaps you'll find that a button is hard to tap on the watch or that your loading spinner falls under the fold crease on a phone. Early testing helps you refine the UX before your users do.
5. Plan your rollout and educate users: When you're ready to launch foldable or wearable optimizations, let your users know! Highlight new capabilities in your release notes or marketing: e.g. "Now with full support for Galaxy Fold – enjoy a tablet-like dashboard!" or "New Apple Watch app – check your stats at a glance." This not only attracts users who have those devices, but also signals that your brand is an innovator. It can even nudge fence-sitters to try your service on a new device. Internally, ensure your support and marketing teams understand the new features so they can promote them and help users onboard (for instance, explaining how to add your watch complication).

Ultimately, designing for foldables and wearables comes down to embracing adaptability. It might require a mindset shift from "mobile-first" (designing just for a single small screen) to "multiscreen-first" – considering an ecosystem of device experiences. The effort is worthwhile. By extending your app beyond phones, you'll reach users in new moments (on their wrist while jogging, or on a big display while they multitask) and likely increase overall engagement. Many companies that optimized for larger mobile screens early (think tablet apps in the 2010s) reaped benefits in user satisfaction and retention; we're at a similar juncture now with foldables and wearables.

Ready to evolve your product? This is where we come in. Cybergarden.au specializes in forward-thinking mobile design – we've helped apps revamp their UX for hinge-aware layouts, smartwatch companions, and everything in between. Whether you need a UX audit for foldable readiness, a fresh adaptive UI built with Adaptive Compose and SwiftUI, or guidance on crafting a seamless multiscreen journey, our team is here to help. Contact us to future-proof your app's experience and delight users on every device they use. The sooner you start optimizing for these emerging formats, the better positioned you'll be as foldables and wearables continue to gain ground.

(For further reading, explore Google's official documentation on responsive UI for large screens (2023) and Apple's Human Interface Guidelines for Apple Watch. Industry research from sources like Nielsen Norman Group and Counterpoint Research, as referenced throughout this article, also provides valuable insights into user behavior on these devices.)

References

[1] International Data Corporation (IDC). (2025, April 28). Wearables Market Continues to Grow Amid Shifts in Consumer Preferences. IDC Press Release. https://www.idc.com/promo/wearablevendor/

[2] Nielsen Norman Group. (2025, January 10). Foldable Smartphones: New Devices, New Opportunities. NN/g Research Article. https://www.nngroup.com/articles/foldable-smartphones/

[3] Counterpoint Research. (2023, April 3). Survey: 28% of US Smartphone Users Highly Likely to Opt for a Foldable as Next Purchase. Counterpoint Research Insights. https://www.counterpointresearch.com/insights/survey-28-of-us-smartphone-users-highly-likely-to-opt-for-a-foldable-as-next-purchase/

[4] Display Supply Chain. (2024). Foldable Smartphone Market Stalls in 2024 and 2025. Display Supply Chain Market Analysis. https://displaysupplychain.com/press-release/foldable-smartphone-market-stalls-in-2024-and-2025/

[5] Google (The Keyword). (2023, May 10). New apps, features and updates coming to Wear OS. Google Product Blog. https://blog.google/products/wear-os/wear-os-update-google-io-2023/

[6] Counterpoint Research. (2024). Global Smartwatch Market in 2024. Counterpoint Research Market Analysis. https://www.counterpointresearch.com/insight/global-smartwatch-market-in-2024/

[7] Romano, F. (2023). Adaptive Compose Layouts. Pro Android Dev. https://proandroiddev.com/adaptive-compose-layouts-86b7f1e51338/

[8] Romano, F. (2023, August 8). Jetpack WindowManager 1.1 is stable!. Android Developers Blog. https://android-developers.googleblog.com/2023/08/jetpack-windowmanager-11-is-stable.html/

[9] Rubin, J. (2023, July 18). Nerdy Details from the Redesign of Apple's watchOS. Cool Hunting (Interview with Apple watchOS Design Team). https://coolhunting.com/tech/nerdy-details-from-the-redesign-of-apples-watchos/

[10] Android Developers Blog. (2023, May 22). Designing for Wear OS: Getting started with designing inclusive smartwatch apps. Google Developer Blog. https://android-developers.googleblog.com/2023/05/designing-for-wear-os-getting-started-designing-inclusive-smartwatch-apps.html/

[11] Apple Developer. (2023). Creating an intuitive and effective UI in watchOS 10. Apple Developer Documentation. https://developer.apple.com/documentation/watchos-apps/creating-an-intuitive-and-effective-ui-in-watchos-10

Additional Resources: Google Material Design Guidelines – Large Screens and Foldables (2023); Apple Human Interface Guidelines – watchOS 10 Design (2023).

Designing beyond phones isn't a luxury – it's the next frontier in creating experiences that truly fit into users' lives.

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