Foldable Smartphones have remained a top-selling topic since the preceding year. People are frenzy about knowing what it has in store for them. 2020 will see the launch of a new rage in the Smartphone world. Dominating brands like Samsung and OnePlus are all set to lure the Smartphone market with a Promethean design and Eclectic features.
“More than 13 million foldable smartphones will be sold worldwide in 2020, as per a survey by Statista.”
App Developers everywhere are equally enthralled about what fresh is in hold for them. Here we are unfolding what foldable smartphones bring to the table for Application Developers.
The design and size of a foldable smartphone are quite different from any conventional smartphone. This will need programmers to make tweaks in the present application development methods. Apps will need to be remodelled to suit the users of Foldable Smartphones.
Many gizmo pundits have argued that Foldable Smartphones will not manage to garner as much popularity as other smartphone models. This is believed because of the phone’s heftiness and big size. In fact, the sale of Foldable Smartphones is expected to be less than 1 percent of the overall smartphone market for the initial year. However, it is expected to take a larger market share with the passage of time and has the capability to lure more users into its folds.
To leverage this growth prospect, it is important for App Development experts to delve into the modifications which are expected in the Foldable Smart Phone Applications. The latest Android 10 version has also been braced for providing enhanced support to the foldable phones.
With the advent of foldable phones there is a rise in the scope for developers to create applications which takes the user experience to the next level. The new phone model will have an increased screen size. For instance, this will need advanced apps like Modified Video Streaming Apps that cater to the need for features like larger orientation and also extra controls. Folding and Unfolding will change the screen size, ratio, and density.
For foldable support here are the notable changes which must be carried out during the design and development process.
- Modification in the App Design
In case of a foldable phone, there is a scope for two types of states- the folded and the unfolded. In the two varying states, the user may want to work on single-hand or a dual-hand mode. The app will need to be designed with robust UI and UX designs to enable a comfortable experience for the user.
- Altered Screen Ratios
From super high long screens like 21:9 to screen size of 1:1, there will be varying screen size ratios in case of foldable smart phones. Apps need to be compatible to support the altering ratios. To handle the maximum and minimum screen ratios, maxAspectratio and minAspectratio codes can be used.
- Scalable App Displays
In a foldable phone the user may frequently change the display screen size as he folds and unfolds the phone. This leads to another critical amend in the app development method. Apps need to be effortlessly resizable. You need to provide a high flexibility via your app to adjust to the different forms and environments on the foldable phones. This is manageable by switching to the relevant setting of resizableactivity=true. With this setting all the components of the developed app will not just cater to the split screen needs but also adapt to the Multi-window approach.
- Multi-Window Mode
The screen size of the Foldable smartphone is going to be higher than regular smartphones and users will expect efficient multi-window mode for running more than one application on it. There may be the expectation of even three or more apps at a time. Multi-tasking capability will be desirable by users of foldables. Developers need to keep in mind the fact that their app will probably share its usage with another app on the foldable screen. There is also the functionality of using the Camera even when multiple apps are functioning with some relevant settings. Both apps may have distinguished features and design. As an app creator, you need to explore allowing the option of drag and drop in your app.
- Enabling Multi-Resume Mode
“Android 10 has already provided support to allow multiple apps opened in multi-window mode to continue to be in the resumed state in case of multi-window usage on the phone, in contrast to Android 9 and the preceding versions.”
As the foldables will bring an enhanced multi-window operating feature to its users, it is expected that the Apps will provide support for a Multi-Resume feature too. Previously, only the app which was dominantly used remained in the resumed state, rest all other applications activities were paused. This led to the issue that the paused apps closed its resources or even stopped performing their functions.
Now, there is a possibility that all activities can remain in the resumed state. The phone may also stop a resumed activity, if the user functions on a transparent app along with it or the function performed is not focusable.
- Changes in App Testing Methods
As the app will be devised to handle newer features like Multi-display, Multi-window, Resizing, and Different Screen Ratios, the developers need to test their app’s performance more rigorously. One can use the Foldable Emulators to test the apps developed. There are options of 7.3” and 8” emulators, where one can test the app performance in both the folded and unfolded state. These Multiple foldable emulator ability is provided with Android Studio 3.5.
Overall Impact of Foldables on Current Application Development Approach
The app changes required as a result of the foldable phones will have a higher complexity than one can perceive as a layman. The foldable phones will prominently affect the Approach for application development in the following manner:
- Higher Development Cost and Time
It is evident that the app development process for the foldable smartphones is expected to be more time-consuming and complex than usual. This will undeniably lead to more app development outlays. All app developers and businesses should be ready for a rise in the development charges for foldable smartphone apps.
- Better Analysis of User Feedbacks
The foldable smartphones are a new-fangled technology in the market. A more Agile approach will demanded. The apps developed for these devices will not just need a robust testing but also an in-depth analysis of the initial user feedbacks. In the transitory phase a lot of users will bring out their feedbacks about the performance of the revamped apps. Developers need to be on their toes to carry out necessary improvements more frequently.
- Enhanced Focus on Quality
As a cutting-edge foldable innovation hits the market, the expectations of users will also be elevated. With new foldable phones, customers will want seamlessly operating applications to work. The applications must be equipped to handle the higher demands of multiple aspect ratios, numerous orientations, and multi-window usage. The Quality levels of your app will make or break its demand in the market.
Conclusion
Surely, the foldable smartphone technology is among the most anticipated innovations in the Tech scenario today. As more Smartphone companies decide to launch their own foldables, the demand for apps concocted for such models will rise.
Our Dynamic Developers at Sysbunny have already prepared themselves to enhance their proficiency in the App development scene for foldable smartphones. We are ready to extend our competency to this new paradigm in the industry.
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Want to embrace a futuristic approach for your business and develop an Architype App for the new Foldable phones? Join us at Sysbunny, for supreme apps for your users.
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