A Frustrating Glitch That Hits Right Where You Use Your Phone
There is nothing quite like a sleek foldable phone snapping shut in your pocket, and that is exactly why a new calling problem is turning heads across the Android community. Owners of several foldable devices are reporting that outgoing calls simply refuse to connect when the phone is closed. Instead of dialing, the screen politely asks them to flip open to continue. For people who rely on their folding handset for quick calls on the go, that is a real headache.
Reports have surfaced across Reddit and both Google and Motorola community forums. The most common complaints involve the Motorola Razr Ultra 60 and 70 models running Android 16, though at least one owner of a Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 has described the same behavior. Incoming calls appear to work just fine, which makes the bug feel even more puzzling.
Why Gemini Is Under the Microscope
The most interesting clue is the timing. Several users say the calling trouble started only after they began using Gemini, Google’s AI assistant. One Reddit user found that switching back to Google Assistant restored the ability to place calls while the phone was closed. That is a strong hint, though it is not yet confirmed as the root cause. Google and Motorola both appear to be gathering details from affected owners, which usually means an investigation is underway.
This story also lands at a moment when Google is steadily moving its ecosystem toward Gemini. As of last month, Google has begun phasing Google Assistant out of phones, starting September 4, 2026, for devices that meet the minimum requirements to run the newer AI service. For anyone hoping to simply revert to the older assistant as a workaround, that option is becoming less available over time.
What Foldable Owners Can Do Right Now
At the moment, there is no official patch, and the only dependable workaround is to open the phone before placing a call. It is not the most elegant solution, but it keeps your conversations flowing while engineers work on a fix. If you are experiencing the issue, reporting it through official feedback channels helps the teams trace the pattern faster. Keeping an eye on software updates from Google and Motorola is also wise, since a fix could arrive quickly once the cause is pinned down.
For shoppers, this episode is a useful reminder that foldable phones are still evolving and that software often matters as much as the hinge and display. It also shows how quickly AI features are weaving into everyday tasks like making a simple phone call. If you are considering a foldable and calling on the move is a priority, it is worth reading recent owner reports, checking how a device handles its assistant features, and confirming that updates are being pushed regularly. Smart buyers who do that homework tend to end up with a foldable that delivers on its promise from day one.
