How does everyone here feel about foldable phones?

Margot Robbie@lemmy.worldmod to Android@lemmy.world – 325 points –

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.

276

You are viewing a single comment
View all comments

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.