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 bought a foldable phone (Galaxy Flip) for the gimmick, but having used it now for a half a year, it's really grown on me, and I've actually found the folding features to be quite invaluable.
One nicety of the folding screen is in being able to quickly see notifications without opening the phone (and thereby being tempted to browse/procrastinate) --- with my folded phone, I can quickly hold it in my palm and glance at the time and any notifications.
Another benefit of the smaller form factor is being easier to fit the phone into my pockets --- as phone sizes became larger, I was progressively having harder time finding clothes with large enough pockets for my phone. With the folding phone, I can comfortably fit the phone into my pocket, while still having a larger screen when I need it. It also makes it easier to take my phone with me while running, as I can fold it and place it into my running pouch --- a larger phone might fit, but the volume would no doubt be uncomfortable against my body as I move.
Bear in mind, I'm referring here to a folding model which folds into a small square and thus has a smaller area --- even I don't fully see the benefits of the larger-form-factor folding phones.
How do you deal with a phone that ends up being twice as fat as a normal phone would be? Because I am in the same boat as you but I don't see any benefit if it's twice as thick.
i like my Fold 4 but i'm also a nerd that likes silly toys. it's nice to have a phone that just feels different. plus it lets me read manga and stuff a lot easier
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.
I love the idea of them and can see myself getting one eventually. Just too expensive at the moment for me. The thought of ds emulation on it though is pretty appealing ngl
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)
I'm pretty ingrained in the Apple ecosystem but if they came out with a phone that could be similar in size to their current phones that folded out to the size of the new mini ipad, I'd probably try it out. I love the size of the mini and that would let me have one device instead of two.
Agree on the durability issues though. I'm assuming if Apple made one they'd have that figured out but I'd need to see the reviews first.
Their a cool idea but until we can figure exactly how to fold it without it creating other issues they arent going to be very practical not to mention the durability issue
They're a niche product, so it makes sense that the people who buy them love them. I didn't know the Oppo existed, it seems a good solution to the crease problem.
Basically you get yourself an expandable phone if you need a tablet and don't want to have two separate devices, for one reason or another. I'm sure people who travel constantly for business love them.
For the average user? Reliability is much more important.
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.
The Motorola Razr was the cool kid phone growing up, so when the new gen of flip phones appeared I was very hyped in a nostalgic way. I currently have a Z Flip 3, and while it's fun, I'm not sure if I would get another. I do like the clamshell nature of it since I drop my phone a lot, but I feel like the dimensions are weird even though I have big hands. It's just very tall. I don't regret it and I might give the tech another shot down the road, but my next phone will be the type that only folds once.
I've had two flip phones and I have loved them both, but both of them have had minor splintering appear on the screen at the hinge and it seems like once that starts your warranty is void because they refuse to cover their own manufacturing defect, and for that reason I wouldn't buy another folding phone for a while, until the technology has matured. I do love my flip phone, it's the most fun I've had with a smartphone and it's a great conversation starter. Being able to take selfies with the outer camera and outer screen as a viewfinder is very nice too.
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