Being the age I am, I’m just old enough to remember flip-phones.
A relatively simple concept that has been on my mind lately for reasons I’ll get to. Widely considered obsolete unless you just want a cheap phone to make calls etc., these phones featured a screen on one side, a keypad on the other, with a hinge joint between the two.
The reason that this device has been dragged back to the front of my brain in recent weeks is because I am reminded of them every time I see this:
To be clear: I’m aware that this foldable iphone is not the first foldable modern smartphone (I know Samsung released them years ago also).
But I’m also left wondering: what is the point? I think I can perfectly understand the use of flip phones as they were when they were popular, but foldable phones I just can’t see the benefit. As far as I can see, these foldable type of phones offer little to no benefit that you couldn’t get from, say a regular iPhone or Samsung phone, in terms of the consumer and how they are used in general life. I get that the hardware/software may be different, but that’s not going to be a factor in most people’s daily lives (you’re not going to care about the type of core, or the screen resolution when you make a phone call, etc.) It seems like it’s more of a gimmick from the companies making them to try and make more sales, but even if that’s the case, the product must have something unique to offer, so what is it about foldable phones that are so unique besides the gimmick of folding?
I've had one of the smaller Samsung foldables for almost 2 years now. I hate Samsung's software experience, but the hardware is actually pretty great due to the half size in the pocket. Im having issues with my screen protector now right at the hinge now and need to see about getting it replaced and I used the phone on a river in a dry bag once and ended up getting a piece of sand in it early on so there is an annoying little spot on the screen protector from that too so I avoid putting the phone in more rugged environments now.
TLDR: So yeah, best thing is a smaller device to carry around but other issues with them.
Oh, and Calendar, Clock, Camera, and a markdown shopping list on the cover screen without opening the phone is nice.