Back to news
I used a Samsung foldable for streaming my favorite shows — here's what happened
@Source: tomsguide.com
Skip to main content
Tom's Guide
Tom's Guide
Search Tom's Guide
View Profile
Best Picks
Entertainment
Technology Magazines
Why subscribe?
The best tech tutorials and in-depth reviews
Try a single issue or save on a subscription
Issues delivered straight to your door or device
From$12.99View
MacBook Air M4
iPad Air M3
Nintendo Switch 2
Best mattress
Wordle Today
Android Phones
I used a Samsung foldable for streaming my favorite shows — here's what happened
Josh Render
14 March 2025
Does the middle ground offer a better experience than a tablet or regular phone?
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Future)
I was getting ready to watch Alien: Romulus on Disney Plus when something suddenly occurred to me: I own a foldable phone, and yet I've rarely used it to stream anything.
I know — it's pretty crazy. When it comes to watching movies and shows, the best foldable phones would seem to enjoy a pretty big advantage over other devices.
Compared to conventional phones, foldables can expand their screens giving you a more expansive viewing area. And while tablets offering bigger screens, too, they're not always as portable as a device you can fold shut and tuck into your pocket.
You may like
Best foldable phones of 2025
2024 is the year Samsung fell behind on foldables — here's why
With that in mind, I wanted to confirm whether foldable phones really delivered on the promise of enjoying streaming content.
With my Galaxy Z Fold 5, I sat down to watch things using YouTube, Disney Plus and Twitch to see just what foldable phones bring to the viewing party, compared to other phones and tablets.
The pros of streaming video on a foldable device
(Image credit: Future)
You can't talk about streaming on a foldable phone without first concentrating on the interior display and what kind of difference it makes. As you can probably guess, having a bigger screen is a major improvement, especially if you're comparing it to a standard phone flipped into landscape mode.
But it's not just the big screen that makes foldable phones so appealing. The bigger advantage, at least to me, is being able to split your phone's screen over a larger area.
Sign up to get the BEST of Tom's Guide direct to your inbox.
Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips.
Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
For Instance, I was able to watch Tom's Guide's YouTube video about the iPhone 16e while jotting down ideas in the Samsung Notes app. I could even have up to three different apps open at once with ample space for each. For someone with a short attention span, that's a boon.
(Image credit: Future)
Then again, you can do that kind of multitasking on tablets, too. So how does a foldable phone measure up to a tablet? I found it to be a much better option than a tablet for streaming on the go.
In my experience, a tablet is something you have to plan to carry with you. If you've got an iPad (10th Gen), for example, you have to consciously remember to take that with you in a way you don't with a phone. I'm not going to walk out the door without my Galaxy Z Fold.
Not only that, tablets can be quite awkward to tote around, particularly when it comes to the larger screen models that might enjoy an advantage over foldables. I'd be very nervous about whipping out a tablet on public transportation, especially if I don't have a seat. A foldable phone is easier to take out of your pocket and put away.
As for the actual streaming experience, I found that YouTube worked best on my Galaxy Z Fold 5, as that app is optimized for foldables. This was primarily due to the Flex mode, which allowed me to essentially use half the phone as a stand while the video played on the other. However, it seems that other apps just don't work with the feature as well as they should.
The cons of streaming video on a foldable device
(Image credit: Future)
Nothing is ever a perfect solution, and I ran into more than a few issues with using the Galaxy Z Fold 5 as a streaming device. Unlike with YouTube, not every app is optimized for a foldable screen.
For instance, on Disney Plus, there are massive black bars at the top and bottom of the screen so that the video streams in the proper aspect ratio. You can zoom in to reduce the size of those bars, but it cuts out what's happening on the sides of the scene — a less-than-ideal viewing experience.
When watching a movie at the proper aspect ratio on my Galaxy Z Fold 5, it really took up the same viewing area as I would see if I watched that same movie on my iPhone 15 Pro Max, check out the photo below to see what I mean.
(Image credit: Future)
At least Disney Plus functions properly on the Galaxy Z Fold 5 — something I can't say for the Twitch app. While the actual video looked fine on my foldable, the app's interface just really doesn't function as you would like when it comes to chat.
When you try to type anything into the Twitch chat app, the keyboard hides the other comments, making it hard to follow the conversation or check your spelling. Not only that, the keyboard won’t sync with the Twitch emotes, meaning you can’t use a channel's emojis without having to close the keyboard, making it a lot more effort. Not only that, Flex Mode simply doesn't work as it should do.
But the biggest issue I faced when streaming video on a foldable was that it's really a task that requires some sort of stand so that you can keep the phone propped up without sacrificing half the screen for Flex Mode.
Maybe future foldable phones can include a built-in stand, but until then, I'll just have to turn to one of the best Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 cases that includes a stand as a feature.
Final thoughts
(Image credit: Future)
With my testing wrapped up, will I be using a foldable phone over my other tech to stream shows? Honestly, the answer isn't a straight yes or no, but there's one area that stands out to me. When it comes to YouTube or when I want something playing on the background, the Galaxy Z Fold 5 is ideal.
However, for anything else, the issue is that many developers just don't seem to have properly embraced the foldable form factor to take advantage of the larger display.
The experience of streaming video on a foldable isn't terrible by any stretch, but it feels like it could be more immersive with apps designed specifically for the larger interior panels that phones like the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Pixel 9 Pro Fold have to offer.
This is only my experience, and no one exists in a vacuum, so let me know if you've been using a foldable phone recently. Do you swear by it as an entertainment device, or do you find it to be a bit of a letdown?
More from Tom's Guide
OnePlus Open 2 could have been the best foldable of the year — so why is it not happening?
Galaxy Z Fold 7 rumors: Everything we know so far
Massive foldable iPhone leak just tipped key specs, release window and a very high price
Today's best Galaxy Z Fold 6 deals
47 Amazon customer reviews
$1,399.97View
Deal ends Mon, Mar 17, 2025
$1,599.99View
$1,899.99View
We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Josh Render
Social Links Navigation
Staff Writer
Josh is a staff writer for Tom's Guide and is based in the UK. He has worked for several publications but now works primarily on mobile phones. Outside of phones, he has a passion for video games, novels, and Warhammer.
You must confirm your public display name before commenting
Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.
Best foldable phones of 2025
2024 is the year Samsung fell behind on foldables — here's why
My favorite Android phone of the year isn't from Samsung or Google — and it sets a new standard
Triple foldables at MWC — a growing trend, but not quite ready
I tried using a Mini PC with a 4K OLED TV and the results surprised me
I ditched my Legion Go to game on the iPhone 16 Pro Max — here's what happened
Latest in Android Phones
Older Samsung phones are finally getting One UI 7 — here's all the devices
Android 16 beta 3 arrives today — all the newest features
You can now try Samsung's latest One UI 7 software on your iPhone — here's how
Genshin Impact on Android finally adds controller support — 4 years after iOS
At least 5 North Korean spy apps have been found on Google Play — what you need to know
The latest Google Pixel update is breaking fingerprint scanners — but there may be a fix
Latest in Features
Can’t sleep through the night? A new mattress could be the solution — here’s why
I gave up my $3,000 speakers for this stunning stereo system — and the results blew me away
I just tried the ‘Chelsea’ CrossFit workout — and it strengthens your entire body with just 3 bodyweight exercises
Sleep expert reveals her secret weapon for falling asleep fast — and you can do it in 15 minutes
I’ve been using Apple Intelligence for 3 months — here are 5 features I use every day
Intrusive thoughts keeping you awake? Try this ER doctor ‘brain hack’ to fall asleep quickly
More about android phones
4 reasons why Samsung's Galaxy A56 is a better buy than the iPhone 16e
Android 16 beta 3 arrives today — all the newest features
Your cleaning tools are spreading dirt — here’s how to disinfect them properly
See more latest
Most Popular
What is Perplexity AI? — everything there is to know about the search engine and chatbot
I just tried the ‘Chelsea’ CrossFit workout — and it strengthens your entire body with just 3 bodyweight exercises
I gave up my $3,000 speakers for this stunning stereo system — and the results blew me away
Deep sleep repairs the brain and body — but do you get enough? Experts weighs in
3 tricks professional mattress cleaners swear by for getting rid of urine and sweat stains
Can’t sleep through the night? A new mattress could be the solution — here’s why
Sleep expert reveals her secret weapon for falling asleep fast — and you can do it in 15 minutes
Five ways a Smart Bed can supercharge your sleep
I commute an hour to work each day — these 5 apps make the time go by quickly
I’ve been using Apple Intelligence for 3 months — here are 5 features I use every day
LATEST ARTICLES
Your cleaning tools are spreading dirt — here’s how to disinfect them properly
I tried these 11 ChatGPT tips — and they take my prompts to the next level
'Severance' season 2 episode 9 sets the stage for an epic season finale — here's why
What is Perplexity AI? — everything there is to know about the search engine and chatbot
Target spring sale is live — up to 50% off Switch games, laptops and more
Tom's Guide is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.
Terms and conditions
Contact Future's experts
Privacy policy
Cookies policy
Accessibility Statement
Advertise with us
Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street,
Please login or signup to comment
Please wait...
Related News
10 Mar, 2025
Art Schallock, Former Yankees Pitcher an . . .
16 Feb, 2025
Jags are the fags
14 Mar, 2025
Nursing and science students challenge e . . .
14 Mar, 2025
Doddiethegreat does late rugby legend pr . . .
14 Mar, 2025
Train hijackers’ calls traced to Afghani . . .
15 Mar, 2025
Liverpool boss Arne Slot hints at replac . . .
07 Mar, 2025
Why Kylie Kelce Is Praising Taylor Swift
13 Mar, 2025
Jessica Simpson fans are all saying the . . .