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.
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Meh.
Now, show me a phone with a good physical keyboard, like my old Droid 3 had, and then you’ve got my attention!
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.
Edit: Link: https://store.planetcom.co.uk/products/cosmo-communicator?variant=29408265338974
Ok this is sick. And for that price
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 guess currently it doesn’t seem that great, given they’ve been unable to fulfill their Indiegogo campaign due to manufacturing woes. I hadn’t realized how lucky I was to receive this unit :).
I do hope they’ll survive, though, because I want to keep seeing qwerty phones—and have some support for this one…
Honestly, i find them kinda dumb. But they hint at the idea of a phone you can fold into the shape of a paperplane. So im on the lookout for any breakthrough in that area.
A gimmick that’s overstaying it’s welcome. Why buy a premium phone that has more ways it can break that has less software support?
I agree with your statement completely, I personally like a phone that I can put a nice big fat case around for premium protection, considering that I have a labor job that I constantly have to use my phone in and I’m always dropping it, Basically, I like my phone cases like i like female booty, nice and thick
Phones were already too expensive and prone to breaking without introducing foldables, so I don’t see the appeal. If it wasn’t so slow and expensive, I think I would have considered the original surface duo, as I prefer durability over a seamless screen. The new one with the camera bump, I don’t like the look of.
Why do you think they are too expensive? I’m of a blief that phones are already extensions of ours and at 1000 USD it’s still an absolute steal for the value it provides.
They might be cheaper elsewhere in the world, but here in Denmark, a Surface Duo 2 costs over 13k DKK, which is 2½ times as much as I paid for my Samsung S22 - and that was for a bundle including a Galaxy A8 tablet. I don’t feel like I would get enough extra usability to justify that cost difference, and I would be too afraid of breaking it.
I think they’re cool, but they all end up with a crease on the screen. That will keep me from ever getting one.
People swear it’s not that noticable but I honestly don’t believe it. I change my screen protection once it gets scraches as it’s just too distracting.
It’s really cool technology, even in the early stages. In the not too distant future though, when I see a person take a giant display, fold it up, and put it in their pocket, they’ll have my undivided attention
(ﾟ◯ﾟ)
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.
Agreed, although I think durability is a more important issue than the phone’s thickness
Rolling screens seems like the more practical idea, if they can become affordable and practical (practical as in similar build quality to existing standard screens)
I do wonder why we aren’t seeing any rolling screens on the market yet despite it looking like a more simple tech than the fold hinge. I hope we have something soon as that would be my preference too.
Foldable phone will always be either more expensive, less durable, or both, so it’s a no go for me, as much as I like the idea.
I just want a small phone with 3.5mm audio that I can use as a music, podcast, and general audio device. By small I mean iPhone 5/SE or less. The latest “mini” is bigger, and they don’t even do minis now.
So Motorola Razr and Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 when folded are smaller in height, but over twice as thick, and notably heavier. Not seeing the advantage.
As a repair technician, I would stay well away from foldables (the durability/parts availability ratio being my main concern). I have to say, though, the massive nerd in me is not happy at all…
Put bluntly, I just think they’re bait for people who are willing to pay the stupid tax. Most of them are priced at way over the normal going price for a phone, with some being twice the cost of a phone, which is fitting considering some of them are essentially two phones glued together.
I don’t think I’d enjoy using one. The clamshell ones are interesting, but I use my devices for a long time, and I do not have faith in the hinge or the screen to last the ~5+ years I’d want to use it. To say nothing of the crease that would develop on the screen and the issues that would arise from years of dust and particle buildup on the hinges.
I just think they’re pretty unnecessary. I hope non foldable phones will always be available as major flagships.
I think they’re cool, but I have doubts about the reliability. Plus non-folding phones are both cheaper and fancier.
I agree. They look super cool and fun and have that nostalgic flip factor, but I feel come with too many compromises. I’m too deep in the Apple ecosystem to consider something outside the walled garden anyway.
