this post was submitted on 30 Sep 2024
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[–] SuperFola@programming.dev 112 points 1 month ago (27 children)

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.

[–] deus@lemmy.world 59 points 1 month ago (1 children)

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.

[–] EngineerGaming@feddit.nl 17 points 1 month ago (10 children)

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.

[–] lurch@sh.itjust.works 14 points 1 month ago (2 children)

Most Androids have a one-handed mode, where it shrinks the display into a corner, so you can reach everything with your thumb.

[–] EngineerGaming@feddit.nl 19 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Wouldn't it be better to just, y'know, cut out the free space around it?

[–] lurch@sh.itjust.works 23 points 1 month ago (3 children)

you mean having a small phone in the first place?

[–] freeman@feddit.org 19 points 1 month ago

I miss small phones

[–] EngineerGaming@feddit.nl 8 points 1 month ago (2 children)
[–] lurch@sh.itjust.works 3 points 1 month ago

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:

[–] SaltySalamander@fedia.io 2 points 1 month ago

They wouldn't sell enough of them to justify making/promoting them.

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[–] nilloc@discuss.tchncs.de 8 points 1 month ago

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.

[–] idunnololz@lemmy.world 7 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) (1 children)

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).

[–] EngineerGaming@feddit.nl 3 points 1 month ago

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!

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[–] PonyOfWar@pawb.social 34 points 1 month ago (1 children)

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.

[–] FatCrab@lemmy.one 6 points 1 month ago

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.

[–] Tattorack@lemmy.world 25 points 1 month ago (1 children)

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.

[–] MutilationWave@lemmy.world 10 points 1 month ago

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.

[–] ByteOnBikes@slrpnk.net 20 points 1 month ago (1 children)

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.

[–] Zorsith@lemmy.blahaj.zone 5 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) (3 children)

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.

[–] SaltySalamander@fedia.io 5 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Cops in the US can (legally) make you unlock your phone if it's biometrics-locked. Something to think about.

[–] Zorsith@lemmy.blahaj.zone 3 points 1 month ago

Exactly what I was thinking about.

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[–] Fredselfish@lemmy.world 19 points 1 month ago (1 children)

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.

[–] llii@discuss.tchncs.de 2 points 1 month ago

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.

[–] WolfLink@sh.itjust.works 18 points 1 month ago (1 children)

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.

[–] Pyotr@lemmy.world 7 points 1 month ago

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.

[–] ada@lemmy.blahaj.zone 15 points 1 month ago

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

[–] criticon@lemmy.ca 14 points 1 month ago

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

[–] w3dd1e@lemm.ee 13 points 1 month ago

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.

[–] cm0002@lemmy.world 11 points 1 month ago (3 children)

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.

[–] Telorand@reddthat.com 2 points 1 month ago

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.

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[–] Cocodapuf@lemmy.world 11 points 1 month ago

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.

[–] asbestos@lemmy.world 9 points 1 month ago (5 children)

I’d take a foldable over the current slabs any day of the week

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[–] TORFdot0@lemmy.world 7 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)

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.

[–] huginn@feddit.it 6 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) (1 children)

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.

[–] MeatsOfRage@lemmy.world 3 points 1 month ago (1 children)

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.

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[–] TheFeatureCreature@lemmy.world 6 points 1 month ago

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.

[–] Kuvwert@lemm.ee 6 points 1 month ago

I watch movies and read on my samsung fold and I enjoy it a lot

[–] PopOfAfrica@lemmy.world 5 points 1 month ago

Nintendo DS emulation. That's about the one novelty use case.

[–] Skates@feddit.nl 4 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)

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.

[–] UnderpantsWeevil@lemmy.world 3 points 1 month ago

they stopped and asked themselves if people want and need a foldable?

Who wants a thin phone with a large screen? Nobody.

[–] mrvictory1@lemmy.world 3 points 1 month ago

Meanwhile I want a tablet with phone call support. (Samsung Tabs with LTE/5G are carrier locked)

[–] scarabic@lemmy.world 2 points 1 month ago

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.

[–] ColeSloth@discuss.tchncs.de 2 points 1 month ago

I know a few people with foldables. They enjoy them, but I don't really have a need.

[–] zeekaran@sopuli.xyz 2 points 1 month ago

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.

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