Well, as promised, we are talking foldable this week. The excitement is palpable, and it looks like the rest of our mod team have already started the conversation here. Go check it out.
I honestly don’t know very much about foldable phones, so I’ll let the rest of our (very smart and knowledgeable) mod team handle this one this week. :)
Last thing for future reference at the end of the week, we also have a great thread discussing foldables here too, go check it out if you want more great discussions.
I am a marine scientist and need a phone that can perform in the field. I know the new foldables are water resistant, but I would be worried about salt and grit getting up in that hinge and messing stuff up. So I don’t think they’re for me, though I’d really like to have one. My Note 20 Ultra is too small to comfortably jot notes on honestly.
I’m using a Samsung Galaxy Fold 4 after my Fold 3’s inside screen protector separated. Luckily I bought it through T-Mobile and for an upgrade.
I like wowing people by using it like a regular phone and suddenly opening it up to a small tablet. Some people can’t wait to get “the Apple version” but I’ll let them wait wait for the future while I enjoy this phone.
I do switch between other Android “slab phones”, but I guess I go back to a folding phone because I get to carry a small tablet with me without having a second device.
I love foldable phones and can’t wait for more manufacturers to hop on board. I have owned every iteration of the Samsung Z Fold series, Z Flip series, and Surface Duo series, and I am now rocking the Pixel Fold.
This form factor that Google adopted is the way to go. A shorter, wider aspect ratio on the outer display makes for an excellent phone experience while allowing you to unfold the device into a proper mini tablet in landscape orientation. I never enjoyed the narrow screen on the Z Fold lineup, so I opened the phone to do almost everything. With the Pixel Fold, I open the phone up only for specific things, such as showing someone else content on my phone, reading, or watching videos.
The biggest issue with foldables is that everyone seems to worry about the device’s durability, which is understandable. I have never had an issue, and I don’t baby foldable phones more than I would a standard slab. I also think the pricing of foldable is a massive turn-off for many folks. Last, many people either refuse to understand the “point” of foldable devices or simply don’t. For example, with me saying that I use the Pixel Fold closed most of the time, some would say, “What’s the point if you’re not going to use the inner display?”. The point with foldables is that you get options. You don’t have to use the phone as a tablet 24/7. At that point, you might as well just get a small tablet. Foldables are supposed to give you a phone experience first while giving you instant access to a larger screen capable of light multitasking and better media consumption experiences than your traditional phone. The beauty of a folding device is that you get the best of both worlds all the time, and you decide how you want to divide your time between the outer and inner displays.
Long comment, but hey, I love foldables, and I will keep buying them. Unfortunately, I think it will take Apple releasing a foldable before they become mainstream :(
It is great, I do open it to do most things. I don’t really agree with “why not just get a small tablet”…I can’t fold the tablet and put it comfortably in my pocket.
I mainly use the outer display for my calculator app, podcasts and have the calendar schedule widget showing.
I was trying to explain that some people will expect us to use the phone open 100% of the time. Like there’s a reason they have a smaller screen on the front. I don’t always have two hands free to keep the device open, so for those folk I say just get a small tablet since you think it HAS to be used opened 100% of the time or else, “there’s no point in owning a foldable,” as they say.
I have had a Z Fold 2 since release. It’s still my phone.
Over the years that this thing has been in a desert, been dropped off tables on to hardwood floors, been in my pocket with keys, and has been in a humid bathroom with the shower on. This iteration has no official waterproof rating.
It’s fine.
The casing is a bit better than scratched but the inner display is still fine. I even removed the screen protector they tell you not to remove, because frankly it became a mess.
The people who say they are fragile don’t know what they’re talking about but of course they don’t they don’t have one.
The problem is if they do break Samsung terrible at customer service. They will eventually agreed to fix the phone but only after having to go back and forth with them for several weeks solid. But that would also be true of a slab phone from them.
I feel it! I take my fold (took my past folds) with me everywhere. No issues on any of the phones. In fact, the only issue I ever had was completely unrelated to foldables rather a defect. My vibration motor went out but it was an easy, FREE, warranty repair at a local shop. As you said, I think most people who complain about durability definitely don’t have the device or were one of the unfortunate few who have to deal with a defective unit – the ones who wake up to a big crack down the middle.
I like them. I think they have great potential and make sense in certain use cases. My preference would be the flip/clamshell style because it makes the phone smaller and with a large outer display you don’t have to open it as much.
For me the larger fold style is too big and heavy to use as phone. If it were a tablet that folded for travel or for easily storing in a drawer, that makes sense. Although I can understand if a traveling business man used a fold phone because in meetings and flights he they could use the bigger screen for work. But they probably also have a briefcase to carry it in.
Having said that, the current pricing is way, way too high. They would need to cost at least half or less for me to consider buying one. Around €350 for a flip and €700 for a fold seems about right to me.
I also think Motorola RAZR Ultra is the better folding phone at the moment as compared to the Flip 5, because the Samsung is very square and chunky, whereas the Moto is round and sleek.
My gf wanted one because the flips fold down small, but if you ever go on eBay, you’ll see the screens are pretty shitty still. Maybe we’ll get her one in a few years from now when they’ve had time to really, truly iron out all the kinks.
Just remembered one cool thing about the Nintendo DS. Thanks to its dual screens and the stylus there were lots of “games” that made it serve as an electronic Japanese dictionary and Kanji learning tool and many Japanese learners used it for that exact purpose (I bought mine just for Kirby Canvas Curse though 🙃):
There were also lots of games exploiting that setting and they offered unique gameplays that you couldn’t find on other hardware.
What would be really cool is if we had a similar software offering on Android that exploits the foldable nature of those phones in a similar way to the Nintendo DS, that would definitely win me over.
I’d say for the same reason you’d prefer a writing tablet on your lap or on your desk while the screen is in front of you, and it’d feel more like an electronic dictionary:
I did say I will make fun of the Surface Duo 2 last week, but I don’t want to be too mean about it, so… it doesn’t have the crease problem, but I still don’t know who would even want to buy such a phone.
Had the Razr 5g, got it new for $600 through a T-Mobile offer.
Loved the OS, very similar to pixels. Loved how small it was in my pocket. It became super easy to use daily but…
On month 9 a line appeared on my display, that night my phones battery died and upon reboot whole inside screen was messed up.
The phone other wise looks pristine, and I have a case that protects it. I never dropped it either.
Their one year warranty conveniently does not cover the screen and repair was $950 through Motorola. After arguing the did issue a discount and the phone would cost $750 to repair…when you could get a brand new one on their site for $600 at the time. Ridiculous.
Never buying Motorola again. Might try the Samsung flip in a few years once the tech is solid and affordable.
You can use a laptop or a tablet. A big phone doesn’t bring anything new to the table. It’s just a sub category. Most people don’t need a tablet a laptop a phone and a large phone. Some might get something from it.
Only situation I’d see would be watching on a larger screen and maybe gaming. However I’d never need that as I have a tv. So why would I use a small screen?
I’m sure it’s fun but I can never see it as something worth dropping 2k on.
Gaming laptop or a TV for gaming on. I wouldn’t play on my phone as it’s just a massive downgrade. But each to their own. Now a screen projected on my glasses. Sure.
Why would you ever play two idle games ? Sounds like an awful thing to do.
All valid points (especially about the idle games, I probably need psychological help, lmao), except that I can now do all of those things with a single device that fits in my pocket. Of course I’d prefer to play games on a monitor or TV, but I don’t have those on the go. Except maybe a laptop, but that’s much less portable than a phone.
It’s not for everybody, that’s definitely true. But it works for me, much to my surprise.
These are all different options on the sliding scale of portability vs usability/screen size. Folding phones lie between a slab phone and tablets on this scale. I’d say slab phones > folding phones > tablets > laptops > desktops etc… You also of course have further subdivisions such as the iPad mini vs the iPad.
This is like the people saying, at the launch of the iPad, that tablets would fail because laptops exist.
Yup. I get that. Always a niche and people buy unnecessary products. I still don’t get tablets at all. Wouldn’t buy one. See no reason for their continued existence. I’m wrong. Like most things people baffle me.
Tablet is a larger screen. That’s it. It’s an inferior laptop and inferior phone. Only use I could think of would again be game or watch films. However once again a tv fulfils that role by a country mile.
Only reason would be as you said portability, however in that sense I’d expect most adults would require a laptop for work and so would be able to dual purpose that.
If you didn’t have a laptop and had to travel frequently then tablet would be a cheaper alternative.
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Fantastic if you need a computer in your pocket. Terrible for everything else
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I am a marine scientist and need a phone that can perform in the field. I know the new foldables are water resistant, but I would be worried about salt and grit getting up in that hinge and messing stuff up. So I don’t think they’re for me, though I’d really like to have one. My Note 20 Ultra is too small to comfortably jot notes on honestly.
Maybe a rugged phone is better for your use case.
Good to see the diversity of careers on Lemmy though!
a rugged Surface Duo maybe 😅
I will never stop making fun of that thing.
It’s the Juicero of folding phones.
I’m using a Samsung Galaxy Fold 4 after my Fold 3’s inside screen protector separated. Luckily I bought it through T-Mobile and for an upgrade.
I like wowing people by using it like a regular phone and suddenly opening it up to a small tablet. Some people can’t wait to get “the Apple version” but I’ll let them wait wait for the future while I enjoy this phone.
I do switch between other Android “slab phones”, but I guess I go back to a folding phone because I get to carry a small tablet with me without having a second device.
They are terrible, i would never buy one.
I love foldable phones and can’t wait for more manufacturers to hop on board. I have owned every iteration of the Samsung Z Fold series, Z Flip series, and Surface Duo series, and I am now rocking the Pixel Fold.
This form factor that Google adopted is the way to go. A shorter, wider aspect ratio on the outer display makes for an excellent phone experience while allowing you to unfold the device into a proper mini tablet in landscape orientation. I never enjoyed the narrow screen on the Z Fold lineup, so I opened the phone to do almost everything. With the Pixel Fold, I open the phone up only for specific things, such as showing someone else content on my phone, reading, or watching videos.
The biggest issue with foldables is that everyone seems to worry about the device’s durability, which is understandable. I have never had an issue, and I don’t baby foldable phones more than I would a standard slab. I also think the pricing of foldable is a massive turn-off for many folks. Last, many people either refuse to understand the “point” of foldable devices or simply don’t. For example, with me saying that I use the Pixel Fold closed most of the time, some would say, “What’s the point if you’re not going to use the inner display?”. The point with foldables is that you get options. You don’t have to use the phone as a tablet 24/7. At that point, you might as well just get a small tablet. Foldables are supposed to give you a phone experience first while giving you instant access to a larger screen capable of light multitasking and better media consumption experiences than your traditional phone. The beauty of a folding device is that you get the best of both worlds all the time, and you decide how you want to divide your time between the outer and inner displays.
Long comment, but hey, I love foldables, and I will keep buying them. Unfortunately, I think it will take Apple releasing a foldable before they become mainstream :(
I have the Z Fold 4.
It is great, I do open it to do most things. I don’t really agree with “why not just get a small tablet”…I can’t fold the tablet and put it comfortably in my pocket.
I mainly use the outer display for my calculator app, podcasts and have the calendar schedule widget showing.
I was trying to explain that some people will expect us to use the phone open 100% of the time. Like there’s a reason they have a smaller screen on the front. I don’t always have two hands free to keep the device open, so for those folk I say just get a small tablet since you think it HAS to be used opened 100% of the time or else, “there’s no point in owning a foldable,” as they say.
I agree with you.
I have had a Z Fold 2 since release. It’s still my phone.
Over the years that this thing has been in a desert, been dropped off tables on to hardwood floors, been in my pocket with keys, and has been in a humid bathroom with the shower on. This iteration has no official waterproof rating.
It’s fine.
The casing is a bit better than scratched but the inner display is still fine. I even removed the screen protector they tell you not to remove, because frankly it became a mess.
The people who say they are fragile don’t know what they’re talking about but of course they don’t they don’t have one.
The problem is if they do break Samsung terrible at customer service. They will eventually agreed to fix the phone but only after having to go back and forth with them for several weeks solid. But that would also be true of a slab phone from them.
I feel it! I take my fold (took my past folds) with me everywhere. No issues on any of the phones. In fact, the only issue I ever had was completely unrelated to foldables rather a defect. My vibration motor went out but it was an easy, FREE, warranty repair at a local shop. As you said, I think most people who complain about durability definitely don’t have the device or were one of the unfortunate few who have to deal with a defective unit – the ones who wake up to a big crack down the middle.
Thank you, until your comment I was one of the “not understanding the point”-people
Glad I could help!
I like them. I think they have great potential and make sense in certain use cases. My preference would be the flip/clamshell style because it makes the phone smaller and with a large outer display you don’t have to open it as much.
For me the larger fold style is too big and heavy to use as phone. If it were a tablet that folded for travel or for easily storing in a drawer, that makes sense. Although I can understand if a traveling business man used a fold phone because in meetings and flights he they could use the bigger screen for work. But they probably also have a briefcase to carry it in.
Having said that, the current pricing is way, way too high. They would need to cost at least half or less for me to consider buying one. Around €350 for a flip and €700 for a fold seems about right to me.
I also think Motorola RAZR Ultra is the better folding phone at the moment as compared to the Flip 5, because the Samsung is very square and chunky, whereas the Moto is round and sleek.
How did you like our Sony discussion before our break?
My gf wanted one because the flips fold down small, but if you ever go on eBay, you’ll see the screens are pretty shitty still. Maybe we’ll get her one in a few years from now when they’ve had time to really, truly iron out all the kinks.
Just realized I’d made an unintentional pun there 😁
Just remembered one cool thing about the Nintendo DS. Thanks to its dual screens and the stylus there were lots of “games” that made it serve as an electronic Japanese dictionary and Kanji learning tool and many Japanese learners used it for that exact purpose (I bought mine just for Kirby Canvas Curse though 🙃):
There were also lots of games exploiting that setting and they offered unique gameplays that you couldn’t find on other hardware.
What would be really cool is if we had a similar software offering on Android that exploits the foldable nature of those phones in a similar way to the Nintendo DS, that would definitely win me over.
But, what would you need a foldable phone for that purpouse? You can do the same with a regular phone in portrait mode.
I’d say for the same reason you’d prefer a writing tablet on your lap or on your desk while the screen is in front of you, and it’d feel more like an electronic dictionary:
I like the concept, but I don’t think we have endurable hardware for that yet… And I can’t afford them anyway.
I just hope they don’t end up like many of those interesting Android promises that go nowhere.
I did say I will make fun of the Surface Duo 2 last week, but I don’t want to be too mean about it, so… it doesn’t have the crease problem, but I still don’t know who would even want to buy such a phone.
If they can somehow shove in an spen I’d be sold.
Damn spen has me hooked on Samsung. Its such a killer feature that is so underused by the masses.
Only yesterday did it bail me out of a password issue on my Jap PlayStation account via its translation feature. Totally seamless.
But yah, needs internal housing since I choose to not rock a case.
I am very interested in the idea, especially expandable ones. But I hate the crease on the folding ones, I just see it constantly and can’t stand it
Had the Razr 5g, got it new for $600 through a T-Mobile offer. Loved the OS, very similar to pixels. Loved how small it was in my pocket. It became super easy to use daily but… On month 9 a line appeared on my display, that night my phones battery died and upon reboot whole inside screen was messed up. The phone other wise looks pristine, and I have a case that protects it. I never dropped it either. Their one year warranty conveniently does not cover the screen and repair was $950 through Motorola. After arguing the did issue a discount and the phone would cost $750 to repair…when you could get a brand new one on their site for $600 at the time. Ridiculous.
Never buying Motorola again. Might try the Samsung flip in a few years once the tech is solid and affordable.
If you are in the EU, that’s illegal.
Adding that to my reasons to move list.
I’ll be furious if that happens to my phone someday. F
Not interested in expensive gimmicks. How does it improve the experience? Now a phone that is a snap bracelet. Lives on my wrist. Sign me up.
On a Pixel Fold,
I actually use the inside screen much more than I thought I would. Is it worth it? Probably not, but goddamn is it fun.
You can use a laptop or a tablet. A big phone doesn’t bring anything new to the table. It’s just a sub category. Most people don’t need a tablet a laptop a phone and a large phone. Some might get something from it.
Only situation I’d see would be watching on a larger screen and maybe gaming. However I’d never need that as I have a tv. So why would I use a small screen? I’m sure it’s fun but I can never see it as something worth dropping 2k on.
Gaming laptop or a TV for gaming on. I wouldn’t play on my phone as it’s just a massive downgrade. But each to their own. Now a screen projected on my glasses. Sure.
Why would you ever play two idle games ? Sounds like an awful thing to do.
All valid points (especially about the idle games, I probably need psychological help, lmao), except that I can now do all of those things with a single device that fits in my pocket. Of course I’d prefer to play games on a monitor or TV, but I don’t have those on the go. Except maybe a laptop, but that’s much less portable than a phone.
It’s not for everybody, that’s definitely true. But it works for me, much to my surprise.
They have much larger screens. I’m vision impaired, so any chance I get a larger screen I’ll take it.
that exists a laptop or tablet why make a huge phone
These are all different options on the sliding scale of portability vs usability/screen size. Folding phones lie between a slab phone and tablets on this scale. I’d say slab phones > folding phones > tablets > laptops > desktops etc… You also of course have further subdivisions such as the iPad mini vs the iPad.
This is like the people saying, at the launch of the iPad, that tablets would fail because laptops exist.
Yup. I get that. Always a niche and people buy unnecessary products. I still don’t get tablets at all. Wouldn’t buy one. See no reason for their continued existence. I’m wrong. Like most things people baffle me.
Tablet is a larger screen. That’s it. It’s an inferior laptop and inferior phone. Only use I could think of would again be game or watch films. However once again a tv fulfils that role by a country mile.
Only reason would be as you said portability, however in that sense I’d expect most adults would require a laptop for work and so would be able to dual purpose that.
If you didn’t have a laptop and had to travel frequently then tablet would be a cheaper alternative.
Just make a snappable smartwatch band.
No. That’s not what I want nor need.