Previously on Lemmy:
Past Discussions:
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.
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Foldable screens, to me, seem to be a recipe for disaster. Another point of failure.
Flip phones like from Star Trek are awesome though!
I really need to go watch Star Trek. Seems popular here.
I’m personally loving how much Trek is on Lemmy. There’s even a star trek based instance.
Strange New Worlds and Lower Decks. Both amazing! Especially SNW. Absolutely loving this season, I honestly want to go back and rewatch all the current eps as they release.
“His Delta is also a communicator. You just tap it.”
“But flipping it open is the best part.”
Love it so much!!!
Original Recipe is still the best…
A foldable flip phone would be much better than most of the book type foldables that seem to be the trend :)
I don’t trust it not to break.
Also they’re wildly expensive.
I felt the same but my wife got one over a year back and so far the only issue has been needing to replace the screen protector where it loses adhesion and starts to create a “bubble” towards the center of the device.
Bigger issue for me is that - unfolded - it’s a bit harder to protect with bumpers, and my experience with mechanical “clamshell” anything tends towards that part going over time
Do you really need a screen protector if the main screen is only ever exposed when you’re actively using it? I’d thought the main point of screen protectors is to prevent scratching against pocket fabric or keys, or accidental drops. Foldables also seem pretty fragile that dropping it is a game over regardless of a screen protector.
Well my wife did drop something on the phone once when it was open and I’m pretty sure the protector saved it :-)
My wife and I have had the Z-Fold3’s for a while now. Both of us have dropped it many times while open and folded. So far, there are no issues except for the screen protector adhesive one mentioned above.
My son(2.5) threw my wife’s across the room(hard flooring), and the phone was totally fine. In my experience, they’re not as fragile as most people think.
The screen protector is mainly there because the inner-screen is either plastic or Ultra Thin Glass™, which makes the inner-screen extremely brittle, despite it being almost always covered.
For my Fold4 Samsung will cover replacement of the inner screen almost for free. That said, I’ve had mine since the release and there’s been zero issues with it. My device is used daily as a primary driver and only thing I carry with me on travels. Laptop sits at home.
Had a Z Fold 4 for a couple of months now and i dont ever want to go back. It feels great in the hand when closed and it is awesome to have a much larger screen available at any time. Crease isnt very noticable on it
My husband has a zfold. Same feedback after a few months, but recently the screen has finally started having issues at the crease. He’s extremely careful with it, so this is definitely a phone thing and not just a use thing.
It’s probably something he’s already checked, but the screen protector ends up coming off inside the crease after a while. Have had to replace mine and my wife’s twice so far, but it’s an easy fix.
Oh good to know. There’s truly no telling if he checked that, so I will :p
Had one since launch, first foldable. Zero issues with the interior screen/crease. People need to remember you’ll hear about the issues, you won’t hear about people just enjoying their device normally.
I disagree with people who say the inside screen is useless. For one, I use it to share pics with family because it’s easier for multiple people to view. I also use it for watching videos, it’s quite nice.
I am also a remote sys admin. I use the inside screen for RDP/ssh sessions to remote machines for quick weekend maintenance. I will never go back.
Manufacturers are being forced to make their phones last longer with sensible things like replaceable batteries, so they’re coming up with fresh designed obsolescence by adding things that will wear and tear to keep everyone spending $1-2k every couple of years.
My first thought exactly when I read the question. It’s just another point of failure for the phone, using people’s nostalgia for something that never was that great anyway
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!
After my flip 3 broke not so positive.
Hi LJ!
And you probably cant get it repaired. As those are declared most of the time as “Prototype” or similar.
Flip 4 broke when I bumped the hinge in my pocket. Caused the middle of the screen to bubble, and then it cracked down the crease. Neither side would work after that.
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Whenever you open and close the screen flickers. Half the time when you open it doesn’t realise…
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.
How does it improve the experience
On a Pixel Fold,
- I can browse two social media apps.
- I can play two idle games.
- I can play a game and watch a stream.
- I can play one game or use one app with a large screen.
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.
Just make a snappable smartwatch band.
No. That’s not what I want nor need.
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.
Expensive, fragile and rather useless unless you plan to replace your computer and in that case you just made a bad decition. I think it’s a very desperate attempt to hype yet another generation of smartphones no one needs with a gimmick becuase sales go down.
I replaced my tablet, I can’t replace my PC so easily lol
Now I always have my tablet with me in the form factor of a phone. I wouldn’t call foldables useless, I love multitasking and consuming media on a large screen!
I kind of never liked tablets ether tbh 😅
All I want is practicality and replaceable parts. Still waiting for a FairPhone like device to reach the US
I got my brother to buy one but can’t affort one myself, it’s damn cool tho, especially while I watch it with my broken Battery and charging port!
Precisely. Yet people are buying.
Fold phones fix a problem I don’t have. The tech is interesting, but irrelevant to me
It is pretty cool looking though!
Niche
This is how I feel as well. They are cool and if someone gave me one I’d use it, but I’m not going to pay double to get one myself.
I definitely understand that there is a market for it, but personally I’m not interested. They’re expensive, vulnerable, and I have no need for a screen like that. The high prices and vulnerability were excusable in the first few generations, but I feel like we should’ve advanced further by now. I wonder how many people really use one.
Just another possible point of failure with no real upside, beside the ability to slam it shut while on a call when angry like it is 2005 again.
Cosmetically the screen creases would anoy me.
Only use case I see valuable would be easier portability of larger screen formats. But I really never use a tablet to begin with.
I’m sure the tech will go towards better curved displays like monitors,tvs, and VR headset optics. Which are some things i maybe interested in using.
But at this point I feel it’s more gimmick than anything.
I’ve been using my Pixel Fold for almost 2 weeks, and I love it. Actually using the new Sync app to write this and it looks beautiful on the inner screen.
I have used the Fold3 since launch (still have it), an iPhone 14 Pro Max, and Galaxy s23U over this past year as well. The iPhone I used for a couple of months and face it to my wife. While I know I’m still in the honeymoon period, I really enjoy using my Pixel Fold.
The Pixel Fold is exactly what I wanted from a folding phone. When closed it’s the perfect size for using it like a regular phone. I really liked the size of the Pixel 6a and iPhone Xs and the PF when closed is similar to those. Obviously, a little heavier and slightly thicker. Once you open it, you have a nice mini tablet for consuming media or running 2 apps together.
My battery life has been great, performance has been stellar, cameras are also fantastic. I wish more apps were optimized for the inner screen like Sync, but even if they’re not I can rotate it or run 2 apps.
I know people worry about durability, for good reason, the Fold3 that I’ve had for almost 2 years has done great so far. I’ve had to get the inner screen protector replaced twice, but other than that it’s still hanging in there.
It will be great when the prices start coming down. I think with Google and Motorola really moving into this class it will help drive the price down. It will be nice when more people have the option of foldables, it’ll force developers to optimize for them.
I’ve been interested in getting a foldable for a long time but I’ve yet to pull the trigger.
Would you mind expanding on how the Pixel Fold and Galaxy Fold3 compare? I had a Pixel 2XL and then switched to a Note20 Ultra when the Pixel started showing its age, and I struggle to see myself going back simply due to OneUI and my SPen. But the Pixel Fold has definitely had me intrigued about going back, I’m just not sure how the Pixel OS compares nowadays, especially with Google’s track-record of not really supporting their own products.
Honestly, the main thing that annoyed me on the Fold3 was the very narrow outer screen. I hated doing just about anything on it so I always felt like I needed to open it up and use the inner screen. I’m not a super multitasker so I would only open up 2 apps at once and even then not very often (you get 2 narrow screened apps). The camera was also a little disappointing even when I first got it 2 years ago. It’s nice having the SPen, but it’s never been a deal breaker for me.
I have enjoyed how OneUI has matured over the years and don’t mind it. They do give you a lot of flexibility. About a year ago I bought a Pixel 6a, it was the first Google phone I had since the Nexus days, and I loved the Pixel software experience.
When the s23U came out I was sick of the Fold3 narrow screen and wanted a better camera, although I really love the Pixel 6a camera, so I ended up changing out my Fold3 for the s23U. Again, I enjoy the OneUI experience.
The Pixel Fold, for me is just about my perfect phone. The Pixel experience is great, cameras are amazing, and the outside is a joy to use. My Fold3 usage was 20/80 outer/inner screen usage. Again, mainly because the outer screen on the Fold3 was just not for me. My Pixel Fold usage is now more like 60/40 because I really enjoy the experience on both screens.
I know people critique Pixel devices, mainly for Tensor issues of overheating, battery, and performance. I haven’t noticed any of these issues on my Pixel File. The Pixel 6a did have kind of bad battery when I first got it but since has been great. I started my Pixel Food with Android 13 and it was good, but I changed to 14 beta and have been on that for over a week. The beta has been great and again, performance and battery have been very good as well.
I hope that helps some. I really can’t wait until foldables become a more viable option for more people. It’s such a great experience.
As a woman with tiny pockets I’m considering switching from my (already small) S22 to a Flip-type foldable phone just to not have my phone poke into my hip bone every time I sit down.
It seems like phones just gets bigger and bigger every year…
well flip phones solve some of those issues, because you can partially use them closed, and they are smaller in the pocket. Folds are bigger though
I miss the day when the Galaxy Note series was considered big and gets desiginated as a phablet, now pretty much every phone is a phablet. And small phones are next to impossible to find nowadays.
same here, but the tech is just too new. the screen cracks, the apps don’t use the whole screen all the time, etc. at least, that’s according to a friend who’s been using a foldable phone for a long time now
All phones that cost that much are dumb. Just get a computer instead and your money goes a lot farther to get screens and computing power.
$200-300 is about all I’ll be willing to spend for any phone. I don’t care what the features are that the expensive phones have, unless it’s got some kind of alien laser technology that can do stuff that computers can’t. For my price range I can have a great Pixel with GrapheneOS and that’s about all I want.
I personally have a 500$ cutoff. And at that price I better be getting my SD slot at LEAST!
99% of today’s phones simply do not interest me. Either because of price or lack of features.
That’s exactly why I bought Fold4, not to have to carry my laptop around. I need to be available close to 24/7, and having your laptop with you is a chore. This phone, while heavy, is still lighter than laptop and does 90% of my needs when paired with small bluetooth keyboard. But I approached foldables with that idea. Replace Phone+Laptop with just Foldable Phone. And I do realize my use case is very specific, but for me it works.
I’m too used to my 34" widescreen gaming monitor, my 15" 16x10 ratio MacBook Pro screen, and my 24" 16x10 ratio work PC monitors to feel like I can do anything productive on a phone screen.
I bought a tablet a few years ago. I thought I was going to use it for reading eBooks and stuff. It actually just never gets used.
I have two 24" displays myself and comfort they provide is irreplaceable by small screen. However when I travel or go for a drink with friends carrying laptop is simply annoying.
Foldables are basically the opposite of what I want: a small slab flagship phone, maybe 5" would be ideal. I don’t want it to become huge at any point.
I miss the Galaxy mini series of phones. When picking my last phone size was a major consideration. I was a fervent Moto supporter but they just keep getting bigger and lag too far behind other flagship phones.
Whatever happened to tiny phones? There was a glorious moment when the future promised cool miniaturisation and then everyone wanted an HD TV in their pocket. Did non-tat (I know about the cheap prison phones) mini phones progress at all?
I’m still rocking the OP5T+LOS20 and I’m not even shopping yet. It’s everything I need in a daily driver.
Mayyybe the Fairphone 5 if the specs are there at launch. I can afford to wait.
That’s awesome. I will need to find a new phone soon, and I’m dreading it.
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It’s cool technically and i love gadgets. But practically speaking, when unfolded, it’s too big, and when folded it’s too small (plus a waste of money if I’m not opening it to use, and thicc). Just a simple small slab would be so convenient.
The flip seems like all the ergonomic issues of a large phone, with the added hassle of needing to keep opening it. Still enjoy following the tech involved though.
You my friend are obviously not old enough to need reading glasses or progressives. There comes an age at which bigger screens are better. You will know one day :)
Is true, i don’t need reading glasses, and maybe one day I’d feel differently, but the OP asked for personal views on foldables, and at this moment in time, that is my view :)
Plus people of all ages did fine with smartphones with 3-5" screens for like a decade, including iPhones 1-5 i think.
