How does everyone here feel about foldable phones?

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.

Kuma,
@Kuma@lemmy.world avatar

If the price was max $1k, folding vertically and not a Samsung then I would get it. I got my self a tablet because I read and watch YouTube a lot. I rather have one device than two. So when I saw the new pixel did I get hyped then I saw the price…

MargotRobbie,
@MargotRobbie@lemmy.world avatar

Maybe the Moto Razr+ is right for you…

Get the magenta one, of course!

Kuma,
@Kuma@lemmy.world avatar

Thanks for the reply! I checked it out. Sadly it folds horizontal so it doesn’t get as big as a tablet :( but thanks for the tip! I didn’t know moto was trying out the folding trend too!

Malisu19997,

As someone who Had a Nintendo DS and 3DS it certainly seems like a cool idea but they also had the problem of the hinges breaking rendering them useless, this is much worse on the folding phones where the display itself bends in half and can literally wear out just from opening and closing, rendering the phone next to useless, the DS handheld gaming systems didn’t even have that problem.

For that reason I really don’t like them and can’t really get behind them. I prefer my devices to last to obsolescence (a ripe old age) and be durable, folding screen phones are not that whatsoever. If I wanted a bigger screen I’d rather just have a bigger phone honestly, or be able to dock it in a laptop like enclosure.

CantSt0pPoppin,
@CantSt0pPoppin@lemmy.world avatar

I too can confirm this. I own the LE Ruby Red DS and the hinge on the right side failed. It lasted for quite some time but the stress factor was inevitable. I don’t think the hinge it’s self-failed but the plastic around it, if that makes any sense. I do hope that there is a return to folding phones only if for reducing the size of carrying around basically a tablet in your pocket. I currently have a s20/21 fe and the screen while nice, spacious and crisp is quite big for pockets.

Malisu19997,

Yeah it’s the plastic around the hinge that breaks on the DS, it was much worse on the originals than on the DS lites.

The biggest issue with the folding phones though is that folding the screen in half is going to cause wear and tear on the display and it makes it easier for it to break along the seam. Only way I could see a folding phone working is if it had two separate screens like a DS/3DS.

I don’t have an issue with phones being too big for pockets since I have plenty of room in my pockets, even for relatively large phones.

tillmorn,

Writing this on a Fold 4 after coming from a history of Pixel devices.

Initially I loved the idea. So much room for activities with me at all times! A dream emulator machine and media consumption device! Look at all those power user multi-window layouts! SPen life! As time wears on though I find myself only relying on the inner screen for reading or long browser sessions. The SPen is in a drawer. I also dearly miss the Pixel-exclusive features. As a result, my next device will most likely be a Pixel 8/8 Pro coupled with an eink tablet.

For perspective, this was written on the front screen. I haven’t cracked open the inner screen today.

hellishharlot,

Get the best of both -Thunder user on a Pixel Fold

chloyster,

I love the idea of them but not at that price point unfortunately

bet,

I’d love one. Preferably the opens-like-a-book style, not the vertical ribbon.

But I don’t want to carry around something that costs that much. They’re currently priced for someone with way more money.

bappity,
@bappity@lemmy.world avatar

foldables are really cool but pretty fragile

Malisu19997,

My friend had a foldable and it died simply from opening and closing it too much. Not dirt, dust or water damage it just broke because the folding part of the screen wore out.

bappity,
@bappity@lemmy.world avatar

I saw somewhere that there’s a space in the middle of some foldables that causes the phone to completely break if a spec of dust gets caught in it

Appoxo,
@Appoxo@lemmy.dbzer0.com avatar

Neat but uninteresting to me.
But I like where it is going.

Appoxo,
@Appoxo@lemmy.dbzer0.com avatar

Neat but currently uninteresting to me

dantheclamman,
@dantheclamman@lemmy.world avatar

I am a marine scientist and need a phone that can perform in the field. I know the new foldables are water resistant, but I would be worried about salt and grit getting up in that hinge and messing stuff up. So I don’t think they’re for me, though I’d really like to have one. My Note 20 Ultra is too small to comfortably jot notes on honestly.

MargotRobbie,
@MargotRobbie@lemmy.world avatar

Maybe a rugged phone is better for your use case.

Good to see the diversity of careers on Lemmy though!

AlmightySnoo,

a rugged Surface Duo maybe 😅

MargotRobbie,
@MargotRobbie@lemmy.world avatar

I will never stop making fun of that thing.

It’s the Juicero of folding phones.

waterbogan,

Since I need a phone that can withstand being dropped on concrete every other day and having tools, hammers, 4x2 offcuts dropped on it etc every so often I dont think a foldable is for me. My current phone has two screen protectors and a case and its still got a cracked screen

LurkNoMore,

Its a lame gimic IMO. Requiring replacement batteries should slow them down. I’ve no interest and would only get one if it was the only chooce. I want my headphone jack back.

waterbogan,

They do appear to be genuinely useful for some people on this thread though. I’m not one of them - a headphone jack is far more important to me too, that and durability

BitingChaos,
@BitingChaos@lemmy.world avatar

I like glass screens with an anti-glare screen protector on it.

The foldables I’ve seen use glossy, soft plastic screens.

We’re already off on a bad start.

These things are becoming softer, more fragile, and more disposable, all the while going up up up in price.

When I see a review for a device that can be permanently damaged with just a fingernail and is frail enough to snap in half if folded the wrong way - all the while costing way more than a regular phone, I don’t know if I’d feel comfortable using it. I already get uncomfortable handing my “normal” phone to someone to see, especially a kid.

Spellbind8558,

Got myself a Motorola Razr Plus a couple weeks ago after a few years of Pixel 3aXL. Really loving the phone so far. Using the outer screen when taking selfies, changing music while working out/on the go, and sending quick messages is great. Also purchased the two year insurance plan, a first for me but given potential durability concerns a no-brainer.

Was on the fence with Pixel Fold but really liking the smaller form factor of the “flip” style compared to “fold”. Also not sure when I’d really use the tablet form.

Great to see more competition in this area. Long-standing companies making foldables like Samsung are going to need to step it up.

miku,

I use the Fold 4 and I love it. I don’t think I could ever go back to using a nonfoldable. I never notice the crease during use unless I run my finger across it. In terms of durability, it’s been great. I dropped my phone many times onto concrete and no issues at all. The only problem I have is with the screen protector for the folding screen. Mine is already peeling after around a year of use and it’s a pain to get it replaced. You can’t really do it yourself and you need to make an appointment at a repair shop to do it. At least it’s free.

grasshopper_mouse,
@grasshopper_mouse@lemmy.world avatar

I bought a Z Fold 2 in 2020 and still use it today. Battery life is great, screens are still great (both outer and inner). I always have a cheap case for it that covers the front screen. I have dropped it twice outside on the concrete ground and the cheap case broke, but NOT the phone, so I just bought another case each time–to me, that’s what the cheap case is for. I really like it and will probably get another version at some point, but here are my main takeaways:

  • Outer screen is very slim (think almost TV remote-sized). I have gotten used to it but God forbid you hand it to someone else to type on, they always say it’s too small
  • It’s too long for my pockets, but I’m a woman that wears women’s clothes, and our pockets are too damn small for anything, so I have to carry it in my purse
  • The screen protectors it comes with do start to fray at the edges over time, but I have never had it bubble up at the folding point/crease on the inner screen
  • If you are not known for being delicate with your phone, this is not the phone for you. If you work outdoors regularly, have a tendency to drop your phone regularly, etc, don’t buy this
  • It’s expensive
  • Not all apps are compatible with the big screen so sometimes you’re stuck with the small screen view on the big inner screen
  • Having a portable tablet is great! I got rid of my tablet when I bought this phone and have no regrets
  • It’s great for driving when using Google Maps or whichever driving app you choose. Having the big screen makes it so much easier to see the directions
  • Any video looks better on the big screen
  • I have used the big screen to view maps I downloaded for hiking
hellishharlot,
  • I love the idea of how thin the galaxy fold’s outer screen is but the reality would likely be frustrating.
  • I have the pixel fold and it fits perfectly in my pockets, also a woman wearing women’s jeans. It’s for the iphone 5 vibe like that.
syrinori,

I have the fold 4 and ive come to really appreciate how one handable the small outside display is. You end up using it more than you would expect

hellishharlot,

The thinness sounds great it’s the height that concerns me. And you can’t have too small of an outer display and end up with a good inner display

Historical_General, (edited )
@Historical_General@lemmy.world avatar

I like the concept but I need durability.

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