The folding phone has survived its awkward adolescence. This year's models open flat, close with a satisfying snap, and — crucially — survive pockets, bags and the occasional drop onto café tile.

A week of daily use converts most skeptics at the same moment: the first time you unfold a map, a spreadsheet or a boarding pass and feel the little kick of extra space.

The crease question

Look for it and you will still find a faint valley down the middle under harsh light. In normal use, fingers and eyes glide past it within a day. The hinge, once the worry, is now the party trick.

The best new form factor is the one you stop demonstrating and start using.

Should you buy one

Prices remain premium, and a great slab phone still does 90 percent of the job for less. But for readers, planners and multitaskers, the fold earns its keep daily.

The future bends. It turns out that is comfortable.