Seems like foldable phones are taking over (e.g. Motorola Razr making waves) and only Apple is missing an entry in this form factor now. Almost everyone who can afford one swears by it with the exception of weak build quality.
What do you think? Anyone has one?
Personally, I'm betting on rolling screens (like Oppo X 2021) which seems like the most convenient take.
I think there was a phone called the Cosmo Communicator or something from a UK company that had a physical keyboard and a touchscreen that seemed cool.
They also have a newer model Astro Slide, but it's significantly more expensive and has availability problems. I've had one since Christmas or so, though, and I'm happy with it. CC is fine as well, and indeed the sale seems quite good.
(I used to have their first phone as well, but truly AS would have been a much better first device to bring to the market, there really aren't any fundamental flaws in it in my view.)
What do you think are the chances of them being around in 5 years time? I really want to get this as my next phone but for now I'm happy with my current phone (King Kong Mini 2)
Phones were already too expensive and prone to breaking without introducing foldables, so I don't see the appeal. If it wasn't so slow and expensive, I think I would have considered the original surface duo, as I prefer durability over a seamless screen. The new one with the camera bump, I don't like the look of.
Why do you think they are too expensive? I'm of a blief that phones are already extensions of ours and at 1000 USD it's still an absolute steal for the value it provides.
They might be cheaper elsewhere in the world, but here in Denmark, a Surface Duo 2 costs over 13k DKK, which is 2½ times as much as I paid for my Samsung S22 - and that was for a bundle including a Galaxy A8 tablet. I don't feel like I would get enough extra usability to justify that cost difference, and I would be too afraid of breaking it.
I agree with your statement completely, I personally like a phone that I can put a nice big fat case around for premium protection, considering that I have a labor job that I constantly have to use my phone in and I’m always dropping it, Basically, I like my phone cases like i like female booty, nice and thick
Currently, I feel that it's mostly a gimmick. However, I'm glad that they exist as they'll just continue to get thinner and thinner to the point where they're no longer a gimmick and many people will want them.
People swear it's not that noticable but I honestly don't believe it. I change my screen protection once it gets scraches as it's just too distracting.
Honestly, i find them kinda dumb. But they hint at the idea of a phone you can fold into the shape of a paperplane. So im on the lookout for any breakthrough in that area.
My biggest concern is the screen and how it’s not really glass and can be scratched by your fingernails. I wouldn’t be able to enjoy the phone because I’d be worrying all the time.
I've had a Flip 3 for about a year and I honestly love the phone, but more for the style/fun factor of the flip over the actual usefulness. I was a huge fan of flip phones in the feature phone era and hated having to switch to candybar, lol, so I had to give it a try!
Pros for me:
Looks very cool, flip phone nostalgia value
I have some mobility problems and being able to set the phone on a table to use it as opposed to having the weight stressing my hands is nice
Great for reading ebooks in a 2-page view
Can see notifs, quick check music, dismiss alarms etc without opening
Fits great in small pockets
Cons:
This particular model is so ridiculously slidey on the outside that it won't even stay still on a level table so a case is 100% required, but hopefully other foldables will avoid this lol
Relatedly, not exactly a big case variety for this style of phone
worry of "what if the screen cracks" hanging over my head
It's been a fun purchase, but I'm not completely sold on the necessity or usefulness yet. If my screen is still okay by the time I'm ready for a new phone in a couple more years then I'll call it a good purchase. So far I haven't had any problems or signs of issues at the folding point, hopefully the trend continues, but I do make a point to leave the phone open most of the time when I don't specifically need the folding functions.
I agree. They look super cool and fun and have that nostalgic flip factor, but I feel come with too many compromises. I'm too deep in the Apple ecosystem to consider something outside the walled garden anyway.
I haven’t had a chance yet to look into how long the screens last. That’s my biggest worry. Otherwise, I think there’s potential there to have some really compelling offerings.
Kind of entrenched in the Apple ecosystem for now, though, so until I decide to leave or they decide to make one, it’s kind of a non-issue for me I guess.
I've got a Galaxy Z Fold 4 and I don't think I can realistically see myself going back to a non-foldable form factor unless they just give up and stop making them. I have very few complaints with this phone. I have a small wish list of things that I'd love to see, but I'm super happy with how it is right now.
My top wish would be to have an integrated S-Pen slot in the phone like the S23 Ultra has. Then making the phone actually a little bigger, maybe getting to an 6.5" outer screen and 8" or so inner screen. Closing totally flat would be good, but I actually don't mind the small gap. I don't even notice it with my case on. I thought I would hate the crease but it's actually not even something I think about at all. Having it open 100% perfectly flat would be amazing but the crease genuinely doesn't bother me.
I have one too and I feel mostly the same as you. It's ridiculously expensive (and fragile! Be sure to have insurance!) and not what I consider a practical purchase, but I like having it.
As a clumsy person I cannot imagine them lasting long with how often I drop my phone. I'm not big on buying new phones extremely often anyways, I can still get a number of years out of my Galaxy S10 I think
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