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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.

Tarquinn2049 , (edited )

I use a Fold 4. I am autistic.

I went into it assuming I would hate the crease. But decided the upsides outweighed that potential downside. But over a year in now and I don’t even hate the crease. Honestly the thing I find the most annoying would also be on most other phones; Fold 4 has an underscreen camera with lower pixel density in front of it. Bothers the shit out of me. I’ve taken to having a floating button for screenshots/video and place that button directly over the camera circle. So instead of whatever is in my game looking stupid and annoying in that spot, I can just pretend the icon for the camera button has a weird design.

The upside for me is having access to a nearly 4:3 aspect ratio. I do alot of emulation of older games, so it’s nice to have them be full screen again. Also the charging speed is pretty nice, can have the phone completely full from empty in just under an hour at max charging speed. Which means the 25% to 75% time is just nuts. Can plug it in and not get bored just from watching the percentage tick up. Lol.

I don’t really have much use for it in folded bar form though, using it like an actual phone is of course better in that shape, but I didn’t buy this phone because of how often I make or receive traditional phone calls. So it’s mostly just a fast, useful tablet that I can fold up and put in my pocket. Honestly if there was a version without the outside screen, I would probably get that one. The only thing I use the outside screen for is to hang up at the end of a call. And I’m sure there is an alternate option for that. Could just have a tiny little info screen that had hang-up and speaker buttons. But yeah, if the outside screen isn’t costing much to include, then whatever, I could take it or leave it.

I have the hand strap case directly from Samsung, I definitely recommend it. It’s got adhesive strips that stick to the phone, designed to be put on once and never removed. It doesn’t need to be cleaned under. Basically as minimal as possible while having the grip to the phone necessary to trust that strap with your $2000 phones life. Although I didn’t quite pay that much, I always look for an open box deal. I got it 40% off.

But yeah, the crease isn’t really annoying at all. At it’s worst, when looking at the phone from an uncentered angle, it is visibly darker along each side of the crease, but looking at it straight on, which you generally would be doing, you can’t even tell it’s there. You have to touch it to notice it, but it’s smooth enough that it doesn’t affect playing games or anything.

I was worried it was gonna be much worse when thinking about it before I got hands on. So when my sister got a used fold 3, I borrowed it for a couple hours to play some specific games I wanted to try out. And I wasn’t worried anymore about spending so much for a fold 4.

The weight was an issue originally, took about 2 weeks to get used to it, and then about a month later I got the strap case and it would have solved it anyway. It’s lighter than a hand-held gaming console, and I’m sure a few of us used to hold those for hours when we weren’t as strong as we are now. The original issue was mostly when trying to hold it one-handed from one side of it. Or gripping accross the phone in folded out mode. I have decently big hands, smaller hands would have made it more than a 2 week issue. But yeah, if my hands were smaller, the problem would have remained until I got the strap case, then you hold the phone from it’s center of weight and your hand is in a comfortable position while doing so. Or I just tuck one finger tip into the strap and two more on the outside of the strap and hold the phone from one side still. Comfortable and distributing the phones weight more evenly.

lorkano ,

Flip phones have only one advantage - they are smaller in the pocket. Folds have advantage of turning into mini tablets, but huge downsides of battery life in this mode, and thickness in the pocket. Maybe in the future, if they manage to make them even thinner.

Holodeck_Moriarty ,

I don’t trust it not to break.

Also they’re wildly expensive.

phx ,

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

Aosih ,

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.

phx ,

Well my wife did drop something on the phone once when it was open and I’m pretty sure the protector saved it :-)

thimantha ,

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.

L3s ,
@L3s@lemmy.world avatar

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.

MeanEYE ,
@MeanEYE@lemmy.world avatar

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.

erasebegin ,

I’m all about the side-folders (Z-Fold), the flip folders (Z-Flip) are cool but gimmicky. Never owned one, but probably will one day!

abalboa3 ,

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.

charles ,

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.

abalboa3 ,

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.

davetansley , (edited )

I think they’ll be remembered a bit like 3D televisions in a few years… an interesting diversion, that ultimately went nowhere.

tyvsmith ,

My household has a couple folding phones. The pixel fold is great, the Samsung fold is too tall.

Alfuh ,

For my own tastes (and budget) the Fold form factor isn’t too interesting to me. I like a more compact phone. So I was just looking into the Flip 5 as a possible purchase.

Unfortunately I saw the camera setup is worse than the base S23 on all fronts (main lens, no telephoto, selfie cam). I knew the battery would be a bit worse, but I’m not a heavy SOT so it didn’t bother me.

Adding in at least a bit of deserved worrying over longevity and I decided to pass. I really thought this could be the year and if the camera array was a bit better I likely would have pulled the trigger.

Gerryflap ,
@Gerryflap@lemmy.world avatar

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.

unskilledlabor ,

I’ve gotten used to holding onto my phones longer and skipping several phone releases at a time (Nexus 6 > Pixel 2 XL > Pixel 6 XL) and I don’t really feel like I can continue to do that with a foldable based on the durability questions from the main screen. The prospect of a smaller device in my pocket is the big factor in wanting one and every time a new flip device comes out I find myself doing the same research hoping there is a magic bullet that solves the screen durability or de-lamination issues.

haych , (edited )

I am currently using a Galaxy Fold 3.

I’m torn between “I can never go back to a normal phone this is amazing” and “this is fragile and has crap battery and a normal phone would be better”.

MyNameIsIgglePiggle ,

Too breaky

Sigurd ,

I think they seem like an interesting concept. After a bunch of work from different companies (mostly samsung to my knowledge) they are actually starting to seem viable well exept for the price. But i bet you that we will be getting foldable tablets that you can turn into large screens at some point.

Zerfallen ,

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.

solidgrue ,
@solidgrue@lemmy.world avatar

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.

Zerfallen ,

That’s awesome. I will need to find a new phone soon, and I’m dreading it.

BrianTheeBiscuiteer ,

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.

foofiepie ,

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?

ExtremeDullard ,
@ExtremeDullard@lemmy.sdf.org avatar

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 :)

Zerfallen ,

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.

30mag ,

What do you think of the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5? It’s a normal size phone that folds in half.

Zerfallen ,

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.

Lord_Logjam ,

I appreciate a small phone as well. The S10e was a brilliant device. I’ve gone back to a bigger phone now as there isn’t really much of a choice.

rockyrikoko ,

Fold phones fix a problem I don’t have. The tech is interesting, but irrelevant to me

MargotRobbie OP ,
@MargotRobbie@lemmy.world avatar

It is pretty cool looking though!

Mojojojo1993 ,

Niche

Lord_Logjam ,

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.

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