Fax machines, Rolodexes and floppy disks have now become relics of workplace history, according to a new survey that highlights just how far the modern office environment has evolved.
The study of 2,000 UK office workers reveals that the office setup once typical in the 1990s, immortalised in sitcoms of the era, would feel foreign to today’s professionals navigating the hybrid working world of 2025.
Once-ubiquitous items such as landline phones, business card holders and sticky notes are now regarded as outdated, while correction fluids, once a staple on every desk, are also falling out of use.
The poll was commissioned by Samsung to coincide with the launch of the Galaxy Z Fold7 Enterprise Edition, a foldable business smartphone powered by AI-enhanced tools. The findings show that only 1 in 10 British workers now use a traditional office landline for all their work calls, while 52% say their smartphone serves as a mobile office.
In addition, nearly two-thirds (62%) of respondents said working from their phone has improved their ability to multitask. Half of those surveyed said they often begin their workday during their commute.
Top 10 Obsolete Office Staples (ranked by obsolescence):
- Floppy Disks (63%)
- Fax Machines (62%)
- Rolodexes (39%)
- Correction Fluid (36%)
- Landline Phones (24%)
- Business Card Holders (21%)
- Sticky Notes for Passwords (21%)
- Filing Cabinets (20%)
- Physical Diaries/Planners (19%)
- Paper Hole Cutters (17%)
Beyond the disappearance of these tools, the study also found that office layouts have adapted, with 41% reporting access to comfortable seating zones, 39% enjoying dedicated relaxation areas, and 23% benefiting from collaboration pods, demonstrating a shift toward workspaces that support employee wellbeing and collaboration.
As hybrid and remote working models gain traction across Europe and beyond, only 37% of UK office workers are now fully based on-site. Another 18% report splitting their time evenly between office and home, while 21% work primarily remotely.
The idea of a permanent desk is also becoming outdated: just 37% of workers have an assigned seat, while 26% hotdesk depending on availability.
Annika Bizon, Mobile Experience VP of Product and Marketing at Samsung UK&I, commented:
“Thanks to cutting-edge technology, the modern office looks nothing like it did 25 years ago. Today’s professionals don’t work in one place or on one schedule, and their tech shouldn’t be confined to any restraints either. The Galaxy Z Fold7 is designed for the professional who works from anywhere – whether that’s a co-working space, their kitchen table, or the train to an important meeting. It’s your meeting room, notepad and your presentation screen all folded into one device; a complete mobile office built for modern working demands.”
The rise of the gig economy has also contributed to this workplace transformation. Nearly 2 in 5 (37%) respondents said they now have a side hustle, reflecting a broader shift toward portfolio careers and entrepreneurial engagement.
Digital adoption continues to accelerate, with 61% of employees receiving training on new software systems. However, the generational gap remains a challenge: 12% of those aged 50+ say they struggle to keep pace with technological change.
The Galaxy Z Fold7 Enterprise Edition is Samsung’s thinnest and lightest foldable device yet, offering professionals flexibility and productivity in one compact form. With features such as multi-window app usage, voice-activated actions via Google Gemini1, and Galaxy AI2 capabilities for translation, transcription and smart note-taking, it functions as both a mobile office and digital assistant.
For more information on Galaxy Z Fold7 Enterprise Edition, visit Samsung.com/uk.
