Folding and flipping phones are getting seriously good

<figure> <img alt="" data-caption="" data-portal-copyright="Image: David Pierce / The Verge" data-has-syndication-rights="1" src="https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/Installer-137.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;crop=0,0,100,100" /> <figcaption> </figcaption> </figure> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">Hi, friends! Welcome to <em>Installer</em> No. 137, your guide to the best and <em>Verge</em>-iest stuff in the world. (If you're new here, welcome, happy phone season, and also you can read all the old editions at the <a href="https://www.theverge.com/installer-newsletter"><em>Installer</em> homepage</a>.) </p> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">This week, I've been reading about <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/20/technology/google-ai-open-web.html?unlocked_article_code=1.zVA.A1LZ.AwMkNDLrNcPc"><strong>Google Zero</strong></a> and <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/20/style/armored-cars-bulletproof-american-drivers.html"><strong>armored cars for rich people</strong></a>, watching a lot of <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@thats_a_bad_idea"><strong>That's a Bad Idea</strong></a> videos now that YouTube knows my love for Curry Barker, testing the <a href="https://www.2doapp.com/"><strong>new 2Do redesign</strong></a> for my tasks, watching <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOqjtRPvZuo"><strong>this excellent doc</strong></a> about the legendary designer Susan Kare, obsessing over every sound on <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@jauffres_sounds"><strong>the Jauffre's Sounds TikTok</strong></a>, sending myself lockscreen notes with the new <a href="https://apps.apple.com/us/app/mononote-one-note/id6788222857"><strong>Mononote</strong></a><strong> </strong>app, and trying to vibe-cod …</p> <p><a href="https://www.theverge.com/tech/971004/z-fold8-xteink-x4-light-flip-installer">Read the full story at The Verge.</a></p>