Table of Contents
Introduction
As devices like the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold and Motorola Razr gain traction, mobile app teams are tasked with a new challenge delivering seamless app performance on foldable smartphones. These devices open the door to innovative experiences but also add complexity to design, development, and testing.
With foldable devices changing how users interact with apps, mobile app testing services are becoming more important than ever. Testing teams are now focusing on validating performance, UI behavior, and app continuity across multiple screen modes to keep user experiences smooth.
Why foldable devices are different
Foldable smartphones offer flexible screen states folded and unfolded allowing users to switch between phone and tablet modes. This requires apps to:
- Adjust to shifting ratios of space and screen sizes.
- Maintain ui consistency across different device states
- Handle smooth transitions and maintain user session continuity
These differences demand a specialized approach to mobile testing.
Challenges in testing foldable devices
1. Multiple screen sizes and aspect Ratios
Foldable devices shift between different screen sizes. An app may look perfect when folded but break or misalign when unfolded.
Key issue: Responsive layouts and ui scaling.
2. State persistence during Fold and Unfold
Apps must retain user context (like a partially filled form) when the device switches to screen states.
Key issue: Session continuity, layout re-rendering, and component state management.
3. Testing with limited device availability
Foldable devices are not yet universal, making physical testing difficult and expensive.
Key issue: Lack of real device access during development or QA.
4. Gestures and orientation support
Foldables supports complex gestures, multitasking, and split screen modes. Apps need to handle dynamic orientations and user inputs.
Key issue: Interaction and gesture consistency.
5. App Continuity and Multi Window Support
Applications must function smoothly in single screen, dual screen, and split screen modes.
Key issue: App crashes or ui glitches during transitions.
Strategies for effective foldable device testing
1. Use foldable device emulators
Both Android Studio and Samsung provide foldable emulators. These tools help simulate fold and unfold actions, screen transitions, and multi window usage.
Tip: Start testing emulators early to detect layout and rendering issues.
2. Implement responsive and adaptive design
Work closely with developers to ensure the app uses flexible UI components (e.g., ConstraintLayout in android or auto layout in iOS).
Focus on:
- Scalable layouts
- Percentage based positioning
- Dynamic resizing
3. Test state preservation
Verify that app state is maintained during transitions, especially in forms, video playback, and in app navigation.
Checklist:
- No crash on folding and unfolding
- No data loss during screen changes
- Proper UI restoration
4. Include Multi Window and Multi Tasking Scenarios
Ensure that the app behaves well when used in split screen or popup modes.
Example: A note taking app should allow dragging and dropping content from another window.
5. Use real devices for final Testing
While emulators are helpful, real devices reveal issues related to touch gestures, animations, and hardware transitions.
Pro Tip: Plan periodic testing sessions on real foldable devices, even if shared within the team.
6. Automate where possible
Automate regression and UI tests using tools like:
- Appium
- Espresso
- UIAutomator
- Firebase Test Lab (for cloud testing on real foldable devices)
Conclusion
Foldable devices are pushing the boundaries of mobile technology, offering exciting user experiences. As innovation grows, developers and Tester teams face greater responsibility. Partnering with a mobile testing company enables teams to validate UI responsiveness, app sequence, and state management across various folding scenarios, while ensuring reliable performance through emulator testing, real device validation, and automation.
About Author
Nikul Ghevariya is a dedicated QA Executive at PixelQA, evolving from a trainee to a valuable contributor across diverse projects. With ambitious goals, he aspires to master new QA tools, and delve into Automation and API testing, showcasing an unwavering commitment to continuous learning.