They are trying to make foldable iPhones because everyone else is making a foldable phone, but have they stopped and asked themselves if people want and need a foldable?
I have yet to see a real use case for something like a Samsung Z flip, and carrying a bulky Z fold phone in my pocket only to be able to have a tablet once in a while and watch a movie is not interesting enough.
Do I need a foldable phone? No. Do I like the idea of owning a phone that is actually small enough to be used with one hand and can fit anywhere? Yes. Besides, closing it to end a call is very cool.
The ones I have seen in stores are still too long to be used with one hand or fit comfortably into a pocket. My Pixel 7a is about the biggest I can use one-handed, and even then there is awkwardness.
Most Androids have a one-handed mode, where it shrinks the display into a corner, so you can reach everything with your thumb.
Wouldn't it be better to just, y'know, cut out the free space around it?
you mean having a small phone in the first place?
I miss small phones
exactly
Unfortunately a lot of hardware doesn't fit into small phones yet. You can still get small Androids, but no NFC, wireless charging, fingerprint sensor, etc..
I'm writing this on a Samsung S10e, which is the smallest waterproof one with all the nice features I could get at the time. I can do most things one-handed, but need the one-handed mode to reach the 30% of the screen in top corner furthest away from my thumb. pic related:
They wouldn't sell enough of them to justify making/promoting them.
I love big phones though. Smaller ones feel too claustrophobic to me
Also, from a usabity point of view, bigger screens are better for watching videos in landscape, editing text and it's easier to use the gestures and the keyboard (I don't even have fat fingers). I think only downside is ring and pinky fingers hurting after a while because of the weight
Yeah, iPhones have similar modes, swipe down and the screen scrolls down you can also swipe the keyboard to either side for better access too.
I hardly ever do that though, except by accident.
I had to go crawling back to Samsung because the pixel 9 is too large (and heavy) for me. I was using a pixel 5 before my screen died earlier this year :(.
Edit: to clarify I'm not using a foldable phone, I just have their S24 which is apparently the smallest phone on the market I could find these days that isn't out dated (Zenphone).
I only bought a Pixel because of GrapheneOS, and the "a" series is at least slightly smaller (plus plastic back instead of glass, that's something I am also happy about).
But yeah, I feel you :( I am not even small, I have average hands!
I actually find the Z Folds to be far better for one handed usability than regular phones since they're narrower. Honestly wished Samsung didn't make the newer ones wider. I liked the Fold 3's width. It was perfect for me.
The implication is that when closed you can use them one handed
Those are probably the Samshits and I too avoided them because they're too damn long (And their user hostility lol), the Pixel 9 Pro Fold is what you want, folded it's almost as big as the 7as screen (6.3 to 6.1 on the 7a)
First - 6.3 usually means already over the edge of comfortable, 7a is already almost too much. Second - thickness adds to it when it's in your hand. And third - why would I spend huge money (doesn't seem like it would decrease in price with generations as much as a normal phone, it might be EOL when it becomes affordable) on something that breaks more easily and is still bigger?
I don't personally feel much of a difference in .2 inches of screen, but if 6.1 is your absolute limit, then the Pixel Fold 1 might be your perfect fit with a 5.8 "short and stocky" outer screen
Though I don't think it's being sold new anymore, but it looks like eBay has some good condition/refurb models going for ~<800-1k, Google has stated all Pixels will get 6 or 7 years of updates.
Sure, you can buy one to never unfold. But you'd be getting a thick, expensive AF phone for no reason, lol
? I don't understand your comment, was it meant for a reply for a different comment?
About a foldable phone being a "perfect fit" if only the outer screen is, in addition to being far more expensive than a normal phone.
I have a Z flip and while it's far from perfect, foldable flip phones are great and I'd choose them over a same-spec regular phone every day. Much more convenient to carry in my pocket compared to a slab and basically having an included tripod for photos is pretty nice as well.
My z flip is hands down my favorite phone I've ever owned and I didn't get it expecting to like it much. I just needed a new phone and with Samsung's recycling program, my old near-tablet sized phone made the switch like barely 100 bucks.
There are a lot of small advantages it provides that quickly add up to it being an overall superior experience. Now if only Bixby wasn't the worst fucking thing ever.
I want a foldable phone.
Phones have become larger abd flatter over the years, and they're just uncomfortable to have in my pocket. A foldable phone will solve this issue.
I didn't buy one yet due to not believing the tech is there yet. Screens are very scratchable and the battery life is poor.
I love my flip 6. I had a flip 5 which I abused with no case on it. Got a deal to trade it in broken as fuck for a 6 straight up. I would hate to go back to a regular phone. They are better in every way and the crease isn't even noticeable after using the phone for a couple days.
I want a flip phone.
I still think the Game boy Advance SP's design was peak. Lightweight, compact, and very distinct. It looked sleek enough to not look like a toy, where I was using it in the office and nobody would bat an eye.
Give me that with a phone. Im not interested in being a first buyer or spending money for that novelty. But id happily use a foldable the moment they become as reliable as these tablet phones.
The form factor is just really great for a pocketable device, and being able to close a GBA SP really feels satisfying to put away. Same with the (larger) DS.
Personally I'd like a fingerprint reader notch on the back of a Z-fold style phone. Not a fan of the "in-screen" style. Tbh i probably should just not use biometrics unlocking to begin with.
Cops in the US can (legally) make you unlock your phone if it's biometrics-locked. Something to think about.
Exactly what I was thinking about.
The Z Fold places it's fingerprint reader on the side power button which isn't quite the same as the back but it's a lot closer than the screen based fingerprint readers.
Jacksfilms even made a joke about the DS Lite when the first Galaxy Z Flip came out. Just thought I'd mention that.
My wife loves her flip. I personally don't like them, yes there is crease right where it folds and over time it will make your phone stop working. We just replaced hers after months of her dealing with the phone glitching. But she does enjoy it and requested getting another flip phone.
We just replaced hers after months of her dealing with the phone glitching. But she does enjoy it and requested getting another flip phone.
Does not compute. My wife had her Flip 3 replaced two times, and now she bought a Fairphone. Unfortunately they seem to be unreliable, the phone was quite nice otherwise.
Honestly a foldable smartphone should be 2 touchscreens with a hinge if there’s at all any risk of a bendy screen breaking more easily or otherwise being inferior to that.
That's what the surface duo was. I still have my OG, and other than being fragile because its literally 2mm thicker than a USBC port on each half, its the perfect e-reader. Sadly for video consumption its not great with the boundary, but you can use it in a propped up mode which I much prefer.
Its a great phone, but certainly not without comprises, just like any folding phone.
carrying a bulky Z fold phone in my pocket only to be able to have a tablet once in a while and watch a movie is not interesting enough.
It suits my needs perfectly though! You can take my folding phone out of my cold dead hands
My wife loves her flip. She just upgraded from the 4 to the 6 and the creaae is barely visible when in use
She uses it a lot for videocalls and she folds it to use it as a tripod, and also being able to use the good camera to take selfies is a great use case
She also loves that it fits on most of her pants when folded, usually women's pants have very small pockets.
That phone is not for me, but I can definitely attest to real use cases
I want a flip design. Or women’s clothing with pockets large enough to fit my current phone. Whichever is easier. Seems to be the folding phone at this point.
I agree the Flip and kiln are utterly pointless, just a big ol nostalgic rip imo.
But book styles like Fold are pretty great, being able to go from phone to tablet whenever has been amazing! My Pixel 9 pro fold is my most used tablet ever, I've had a lot of tablets over the years and they all end up collecting dust in no time because they suffer from a fatal flaw. They're never near me when I need/want a tablet the most.
I would have considered a folding book-style phone if I wanted a tablet. I agree that they're likely the only viable use case that isn't a complete gimmick.
I just got my pro fold, I haven't used it that much as a tablet to be honest. It is nice to do when I need it.
Did you get the Google insurance thing that's quite pricey with it? I have a few days to get it.
I just got my pro fold, I haven't used it that much as a tablet to be honest. It is nice to do when I need it.
That's the beauty of the "not tall as fuck" (cough Samsuck cough) ones, you don't feel forced to use it so you'll use it more when you actually want to lol
Did you get the Google insurance thing that's quite pricey with it? I have a few days to get it.
I bought through my carrier and have their insurance, folds on my carriers thing has a deductible of $250. I'd look at your carriers offerings if they have any and go with whoever has the cheapest deductible
But in general, I always got the phone insurance even when it wasn't an 1800$ foldy phone lol
Back before smart phones I always preferred flip phones over "candy bars", the flip phone helps to protect the delicate screen and buttons while the phone is in your pocket/purse. You don't really need a case for a flip phone.
Modern smart phones tend to be more delicate than they should be across the board, but in theory, a flip phone puts the more delicate parts in a safer place.
I’d take a foldable over the current slabs any day of the week
Why? What does it bring you? I’m genuinely curious
Smaller overall size of the phone. If the folded thickness is less than a double of the current slabs, and the unfolded size is bigger than them, doesn’t it make sense to you?
With the “current” technology, we could make phones that have 9” screens and insane battery life (The ratio of screen power usage and battery density isn’t 1:1. Think tablets and their insanely good battery life) but it would be impractical, but if you fold them, you get that exact thing.
No because it’s ugly. The fold is noticeable in the Samsung version as well. Very easy to tell the screen isn’t glass and that is bothersome when watching videos.
True, but why shouldn’t we have more options?
The phone is drastically smaller than most slab phones these days. So it's very easy to use with one hand. Then when it's unfolded, the large inner screen is amazing for viewing photos, reading ebooks, comics and reading Reddit/websites.
The use case is people who want pocketable, one handed phones. It doesn’t matter to me if they make another iPhone mini or an iPhone flip. Whichever one they release will be my next phone.
The last iPhone mini release was in 2021. I don’t want a near 7” pro max phone. 6.4” is too big in my opinion as well.
I kind of want a flip phone for the compact size when folded so it will fit more easily into my tiny pockets. But I don't want a phone with a screen that likely need regular (and expensive) replacements if I want to keep using it long past the 2 year contract window like I do with most phones.
I watch movies and read on my samsung fold and I enjoy it a lot
Note: the latest pixel fold is about the same size and weight as the pixel 9 pro.
It's actually kinda incredible that it is that light and thin while folding.
I've got one on the way Best Buy screwed up the pre-order and didn't get enough stock in so I'm left waiting. But yea seems like by all accounts it's roughly the size of a regular phone plus you get a small tablet when you want.
The battery life is definitely worse because of it but it doesn't bother me much
Nintendo DS emulation. That's about the one novelty use case.
If I were on the verge of running a monopoly, I'd be spending my money on making anything that the competition is making, along with my usual product. Because if you let them run with it and it turns out to be the next big thing, you've just shot yourself in the leg. Microsoft is no longer just an OS maker. Google is no longer just a search engine company. Amazon is no longer a bookstore.
Diversify your assets.
they stopped and asked themselves if people want and need a foldable?
Who wants a thin phone with a large screen? Nobody.
Meanwhile I want a tablet with phone call support. (Samsung Tabs with LTE/5G are carrier locked)
I could allow that some people would rather carry a thicker but shorter object in their pocket than a thinner one with larger surface area. But I can’t think of much more than that. It bugs me that all foldable now ALSO have a miniature screen on the outside. Like they immediately admit that their primary feature is a nonstarter and add bulk to the phone when bulk is a primary issue with foldables.
My biggest concern is durability. I keep my phones for a long time (5-6 years). I have serious concerns that folding phones wont hold up. Especially considering that they oldest amongst them are only just now reaching the age of my last phone that was a champ up until I retired it.
Most folds show movies at the same size as regular, non folding phones. That's not a valid use case unless you're streaming a 4:3 ratio video from the 30s.
Do people need foldables? Absolutely not, but I love mine. I went with the OnePlus Open mainly for the cameras, and the bigger screen is great for reviewing or sharing the photos with someone. Having two apps side by side is really nice but I don't really use that feature that often.
I think the bigger thing is having a screen that faces away from the main viewing side. Showing a live camera view or translating speech into text from another language are two good, but rare, use cases. I think what it really comes down to is how much do you use your phone and for what purpose?
Thanks for the insight! That’s not something I thought about
I know a few people with foldables. They enjoy them, but I don't really have a need.
They are trying to make foldable iPhones because everyone else is making a foldable phone, but have they stopped and asked themselves if people want and need a foldable?
I have yet to see a real use case for something like a Samsung Z flip, and carrying a bulky Z fold phone in my pocket only to be able to have a tablet once in a while and watch a movie is not interesting enough.
Do I need a foldable phone? No. Do I like the idea of owning a phone that is actually small enough to be used with one hand and can fit anywhere? Yes. Besides, closing it to end a call is very cool.
The ones I have seen in stores are still too long to be used with one hand or fit comfortably into a pocket. My Pixel 7a is about the biggest I can use one-handed, and even then there is awkwardness.
Most Androids have a one-handed mode, where it shrinks the display into a corner, so you can reach everything with your thumb.
Wouldn't it be better to just, y'know, cut out the free space around it?
you mean having a small phone in the first place?
I miss small phones
exactly
Unfortunately a lot of hardware doesn't fit into small phones yet. You can still get small Androids, but no NFC, wireless charging, fingerprint sensor, etc..
I'm writing this on a Samsung S10e, which is the smallest waterproof one with all the nice features I could get at the time. I can do most things one-handed, but need the one-handed mode to reach the 30% of the screen in top corner furthest away from my thumb. pic related:
They wouldn't sell enough of them to justify making/promoting them.
I love big phones though. Smaller ones feel too claustrophobic to me
Also, from a usabity point of view, bigger screens are better for watching videos in landscape, editing text and it's easier to use the gestures and the keyboard (I don't even have fat fingers). I think only downside is ring and pinky fingers hurting after a while because of the weight
Yeah, iPhones have similar modes, swipe down and the screen scrolls down you can also swipe the keyboard to either side for better access too.
I hardly ever do that though, except by accident.
I had to go crawling back to Samsung because the pixel 9 is too large (and heavy) for me. I was using a pixel 5 before my screen died earlier this year :(.
Edit: to clarify I'm not using a foldable phone, I just have their S24 which is apparently the smallest phone on the market I could find these days that isn't out dated (Zenphone).
I only bought a Pixel because of GrapheneOS, and the "a" series is at least slightly smaller (plus plastic back instead of glass, that's something I am also happy about).
But yeah, I feel you :( I am not even small, I have average hands!
I actually find the Z Folds to be far better for one handed usability than regular phones since they're narrower. Honestly wished Samsung didn't make the newer ones wider. I liked the Fold 3's width. It was perfect for me.
The implication is that when closed you can use them one handed
Those are probably the Samshits and I too avoided them because they're too damn long (And their user hostility lol), the Pixel 9 Pro Fold is what you want, folded it's almost as big as the 7as screen (6.3 to 6.1 on the 7a)
First - 6.3 usually means already over the edge of comfortable, 7a is already almost too much. Second - thickness adds to it when it's in your hand. And third - why would I spend huge money (doesn't seem like it would decrease in price with generations as much as a normal phone, it might be EOL when it becomes affordable) on something that breaks more easily and is still bigger?
I don't personally feel much of a difference in .2 inches of screen, but if 6.1 is your absolute limit, then the Pixel Fold 1 might be your perfect fit with a 5.8 "short and stocky" outer screen
Though I don't think it's being sold new anymore, but it looks like eBay has some good condition/refurb models going for ~<800-1k, Google has stated all Pixels will get 6 or 7 years of updates.
Sure, you can buy one to never unfold. But you'd be getting a thick, expensive AF phone for no reason, lol
? I don't understand your comment, was it meant for a reply for a different comment?
About a foldable phone being a "perfect fit" if only the outer screen is, in addition to being far more expensive than a normal phone.
I have a Z flip and while it's far from perfect, foldable flip phones are great and I'd choose them over a same-spec regular phone every day. Much more convenient to carry in my pocket compared to a slab and basically having an included tripod for photos is pretty nice as well.
My z flip is hands down my favorite phone I've ever owned and I didn't get it expecting to like it much. I just needed a new phone and with Samsung's recycling program, my old near-tablet sized phone made the switch like barely 100 bucks.
There are a lot of small advantages it provides that quickly add up to it being an overall superior experience. Now if only Bixby wasn't the worst fucking thing ever.
I want a foldable phone.
Phones have become larger abd flatter over the years, and they're just uncomfortable to have in my pocket. A foldable phone will solve this issue.
I didn't buy one yet due to not believing the tech is there yet. Screens are very scratchable and the battery life is poor.
I love my flip 6. I had a flip 5 which I abused with no case on it. Got a deal to trade it in broken as fuck for a 6 straight up. I would hate to go back to a regular phone. They are better in every way and the crease isn't even noticeable after using the phone for a couple days.
I want a flip phone.
I still think the Game boy Advance SP's design was peak. Lightweight, compact, and very distinct. It looked sleek enough to not look like a toy, where I was using it in the office and nobody would bat an eye.
Give me that with a phone. Im not interested in being a first buyer or spending money for that novelty. But id happily use a foldable the moment they become as reliable as these tablet phones.
The form factor is just really great for a pocketable device, and being able to close a GBA SP really feels satisfying to put away. Same with the (larger) DS.
Personally I'd like a fingerprint reader notch on the back of a Z-fold style phone. Not a fan of the "in-screen" style. Tbh i probably should just not use biometrics unlocking to begin with.
Cops in the US can (legally) make you unlock your phone if it's biometrics-locked. Something to think about.
Exactly what I was thinking about.
The Z Fold places it's fingerprint reader on the side power button which isn't quite the same as the back but it's a lot closer than the screen based fingerprint readers.
Jacksfilms even made a joke about the DS Lite when the first Galaxy Z Flip came out. Just thought I'd mention that.
My wife loves her flip. I personally don't like them, yes there is crease right where it folds and over time it will make your phone stop working. We just replaced hers after months of her dealing with the phone glitching. But she does enjoy it and requested getting another flip phone.
Does not compute. My wife had her Flip 3 replaced two times, and now she bought a Fairphone. Unfortunately they seem to be unreliable, the phone was quite nice otherwise.
Honestly a foldable smartphone should be 2 touchscreens with a hinge if there’s at all any risk of a bendy screen breaking more easily or otherwise being inferior to that.
That's what the surface duo was. I still have my OG, and other than being fragile because its literally 2mm thicker than a USBC port on each half, its the perfect e-reader. Sadly for video consumption its not great with the boundary, but you can use it in a propped up mode which I much prefer.
Its a great phone, but certainly not without comprises, just like any folding phone.
It suits my needs perfectly though! You can take my folding phone out of my cold dead hands
My wife loves her flip. She just upgraded from the 4 to the 6 and the creaae is barely visible when in use
She uses it a lot for videocalls and she folds it to use it as a tripod, and also being able to use the good camera to take selfies is a great use case
She also loves that it fits on most of her pants when folded, usually women's pants have very small pockets.
That phone is not for me, but I can definitely attest to real use cases
I want a flip design. Or women’s clothing with pockets large enough to fit my current phone. Whichever is easier. Seems to be the folding phone at this point.
I agree the Flip and kiln are utterly pointless, just a big ol nostalgic rip imo.
But book styles like Fold are pretty great, being able to go from phone to tablet whenever has been amazing! My Pixel 9 pro fold is my most used tablet ever, I've had a lot of tablets over the years and they all end up collecting dust in no time because they suffer from a fatal flaw. They're never near me when I need/want a tablet the most.
I would have considered a folding book-style phone if I wanted a tablet. I agree that they're likely the only viable use case that isn't a complete gimmick.
I just got my pro fold, I haven't used it that much as a tablet to be honest. It is nice to do when I need it.
Did you get the Google insurance thing that's quite pricey with it? I have a few days to get it.
That's the beauty of the "not tall as fuck" (cough Samsuck cough) ones, you don't feel forced to use it so you'll use it more when you actually want to lol
I bought through my carrier and have their insurance, folds on my carriers thing has a deductible of $250. I'd look at your carriers offerings if they have any and go with whoever has the cheapest deductible
But in general, I always got the phone insurance even when it wasn't an 1800$ foldy phone lol
Back before smart phones I always preferred flip phones over "candy bars", the flip phone helps to protect the delicate screen and buttons while the phone is in your pocket/purse. You don't really need a case for a flip phone.
Modern smart phones tend to be more delicate than they should be across the board, but in theory, a flip phone puts the more delicate parts in a safer place.
I’d take a foldable over the current slabs any day of the week
Why? What does it bring you? I’m genuinely curious
Smaller overall size of the phone. If the folded thickness is less than a double of the current slabs, and the unfolded size is bigger than them, doesn’t it make sense to you?
With the “current” technology, we could make phones that have 9” screens and insane battery life (The ratio of screen power usage and battery density isn’t 1:1. Think tablets and their insanely good battery life) but it would be impractical, but if you fold them, you get that exact thing.
No because it’s ugly. The fold is noticeable in the Samsung version as well. Very easy to tell the screen isn’t glass and that is bothersome when watching videos.
True, but why shouldn’t we have more options?
The phone is drastically smaller than most slab phones these days. So it's very easy to use with one hand. Then when it's unfolded, the large inner screen is amazing for viewing photos, reading ebooks, comics and reading Reddit/websites.
The use case is people who want pocketable, one handed phones. It doesn’t matter to me if they make another iPhone mini or an iPhone flip. Whichever one they release will be my next phone.
The last iPhone mini release was in 2021. I don’t want a near 7” pro max phone. 6.4” is too big in my opinion as well.
I kind of want a flip phone for the compact size when folded so it will fit more easily into my tiny pockets. But I don't want a phone with a screen that likely need regular (and expensive) replacements if I want to keep using it long past the 2 year contract window like I do with most phones.
I watch movies and read on my samsung fold and I enjoy it a lot
Note: the latest pixel fold is about the same size and weight as the pixel 9 pro.
It's actually kinda incredible that it is that light and thin while folding.
I've got one on the way Best Buy screwed up the pre-order and didn't get enough stock in so I'm left waiting. But yea seems like by all accounts it's roughly the size of a regular phone plus you get a small tablet when you want.
The battery life is definitely worse because of it but it doesn't bother me much
Nintendo DS emulation. That's about the one novelty use case.
If I were on the verge of running a monopoly, I'd be spending my money on making anything that the competition is making, along with my usual product. Because if you let them run with it and it turns out to be the next big thing, you've just shot yourself in the leg. Microsoft is no longer just an OS maker. Google is no longer just a search engine company. Amazon is no longer a bookstore.
Diversify your assets.
Who wants a thin phone with a large screen? Nobody.
Meanwhile I want a tablet with phone call support. (Samsung Tabs with LTE/5G are carrier locked)
I could allow that some people would rather carry a thicker but shorter object in their pocket than a thinner one with larger surface area. But I can’t think of much more than that. It bugs me that all foldable now ALSO have a miniature screen on the outside. Like they immediately admit that their primary feature is a nonstarter and add bulk to the phone when bulk is a primary issue with foldables.
My biggest concern is durability. I keep my phones for a long time (5-6 years). I have serious concerns that folding phones wont hold up. Especially considering that they oldest amongst them are only just now reaching the age of my last phone that was a champ up until I retired it.
Most folds show movies at the same size as regular, non folding phones. That's not a valid use case unless you're streaming a 4:3 ratio video from the 30s.
Do people need foldables? Absolutely not, but I love mine. I went with the OnePlus Open mainly for the cameras, and the bigger screen is great for reviewing or sharing the photos with someone. Having two apps side by side is really nice but I don't really use that feature that often.
I think the bigger thing is having a screen that faces away from the main viewing side. Showing a live camera view or translating speech into text from another language are two good, but rare, use cases. I think what it really comes down to is how much do you use your phone and for what purpose?
Thanks for the insight! That’s not something I thought about
I know a few people with foldables. They enjoy them, but I don't really have a need.