The resurgence of foldable phones, albeit ones with screens that can bend, illustrates the apathy of smartphone makers. For years, handset innovation has been limited to screen size, frame thickness and display clarity. The result is a decline in sales.

This year, the International Data Corporation expects shipments of smartphones to fall 4.7 per cent to a decade-low. It is the second year of decline. IDC points the finger at a weak global economy. But paucity of ideas contribute to the lull. 

In the developed world, smartphone penetration will exceed 90 per cent of adults this year, according to Deloitte. Companies are overly reliant on customers renewing old phones by habit. The evolution from flip phones to keyboards to touch screens and back is uninspiring. Indeed by 2027 IDC expects foldable phones to have conquered just 3.5 per cent of the market.