5 ms·
Folding phones aren't going away; they're becoming more mainstream. The initial versions of folding phones that came out five or six years ago had issues and so
by princevegeta89 28d ago
Folding phones aren't going away; they're becoming more mainstream. The initial versions of folding phones that came out five or six years ago had issues and some aspects that weren't addressed. But we are literally in the sixth or seventh generation of folding phones, and Samsung has basically perfected them. If you think the durability is bad, think again, because they are very, very durable. I use a Z Fold 6, and it is built like a tank. The next ones are even tougher.
In terms of usefulness, they are actually more useful than the bigass phones like the iPhone Max or S26 Ultra, and other comparable ones from various manufacturers. The outer screen is pretty small and very usable with one hand. There are a few multitasking options you can choose from once you unfold them. you can have two or four apps open at once if needed. They are also very good for watching videos. A huge number of smartphone users do spend a lot of time watching stuff on their screens.
The latest Samsung Z Fold 8 has become a huge success... its size appears to be even more ideal for one hand. the thinness and overall size of it once opened has essentially seemed like the perfect form factor for the latest generation of smartphone users.
- user43928 28d agoI can believe this for Samsung, but Google's hardware is as crappy as one would expect. I had a Pixel 9 Pro Fold, and within half a year it developed some issue probably related to the sensor that tells it which screen should be turned on, and the screen would randomly stay black. At least Google replaced it with the newer generation model for free, which I then sold.
- Orphis 28d agoAnd mine is almost 2 years old and in great condition. It's hard to know what is responsible in those cases, a manufacturing defect or a rough user. And knowing what I've seen people do with their non-foldable phone, I'm not sure who to trust.
- squeegeeninja 28d agoI'm not sure you can engineer your way out of the fundamental problem: You have a lever with both arms converging into a fragile display fold. Sand and dust can't not be brutal on that.
- eknkc 28d agoI don't think it is a big of a problem as it looks. Most of the dust / sand issues were on the earlier models and were related to the hinge mechanism itself. My Fold 4 at some point started making grinding noises that raise ones blood pressure. I guess it is now solved as the new hinges are waterproof and stuff. The screen does not really fold completely does it? All hinge mechanisms have a way to allow the screen to have a smooth arc on the fold point, not rubbing on itself. I've not used a foldable since that model so these are second hand info.
- rjh29 28d agoEven the earliest folds have a brush in the hinge to kick out dust and sand. I can only imagine after 6 years they've worked out the kinks.
- nkrisc 28d ago> The outer screen is pretty small and very usable with one hand. Cool. I want one like that, just without the inner screen.
- carljungslabtek 28d agoI submitted a long product suggestion to apple a couple years ago for an iPhone nano but they still haven’t taken me up on it lol. They were mad the mini was a financial flop but like come on, they didn’t try to market it as a lifestyle device really at all, which is the key. “Think Different”, right? It’s easy. So bummed their first foldable is gonna cost 2 grand or whatever and not be a flip phone with an outer screen. I would pay a crazy amount of money but not for something that unfolds into a freaking iPad mini…
- tjoff 28d agoIf you ignore the price I'd be with you. But at current prices they are nothing but a novelty.