Ask Lemmy

As someone who's used one before. I can see the benefit. But in order to be useful, it would need to replace something. Right now, the main thing it replaces is tablets. Me personally, I dont care for tablets and its also why i dont like folding phones. Either I do whatever I need to do on my phone or my laptop.

But the more interesting idea is it replacing the laptop. The idea of a singular device being able to run both desktop and mobile apps, makes it a little more intriguing. The closest you can get to this right now is Samsung dex (and I think android 17?). Hopefully in the future though, Linux phones will become more stable and useable. That'd genuinely be amazing.

The functionality of a tablet with the portability of a phone. Seems straightforward and practical to me idk

As the owner of a fold6 I can tell you that one of the reasons I got it is that it could replace the occasional tablet use when you need more space eg maps and pictures.

In that, it succeeded quite well. However, everything is now optimized toward the standard phone format so it's nice but not really that important.

Would I buy a phone with a foldable display again? No, because after 22 months with like 1 fold a day the protection already comes off (replacing it is only 20€ if paid but I have to go on a field trip to get it made) and the price for the device is just not worth it.

So next time standard format again.

I own a Motorola razer 2020, absolutely love this phone! It's five years old. Love that it folds and fits in my hand, pockets, cup holders and the like. When I'm ready I will most definitely get the new Razor.

They break faster than non-folding phones, giving manufacturers an endless source of new revenue.

My (adult) son has had a Samsung Fold for several years now and really likes it.

For him, it's basically a phone and tablet combined, and he no longer uses a separate tablet.

It's also good for running two apps side by side, and I see him doing that a lot (you can setup app groups that automatically launch together on each half of the inside screen).

First off, hardly anyone under 50 uses a phone for calling any longer. It’s now a portable computer. I want a device in my pocket with a small footprint most of the time, but when I need a big screen for getting work done, I no longer need to carry around a tablet too. I can just unfold my phone and see a spreadsheet. Or take notes with a stylus. Or make some doodles. Or share a video with my wife or parents more easily that they can actually see.

So, it’s one device that has multiple functions in different forms. It also means I no longer need to have a ~$1200 phone and a ~$900 iPad mini, I can get both in a single $2000 device.

There are some companies making flip phones for the disconnected folks, if your primary need is a phone, go for it. The commodore one actually looks pretty cool.

Untill the tech improves, nothing.

I've seen three foldey phones in the wild, and they all had a smattering of problems; dead pixels along the foldey bits, cracked plastic along the foldey bits, scratches on the non-foldey bits because shrapnel gets in between the screens, ect...

If we had just kept working on the keyboard slidey phones, we'd have pocket terminals by now, but the keyboard died and was replaced with software...

Edit: typos

If cost was no different I would get one if they would do it right. Motorola had one that had a normal phone sized screen and then folded in half like a dumbphone but then they put onther screen on the outside. I would like it designed to protect the screen when closed and I don't want another screen on the outside to be available to break. conversely I use a tablet and having a phone that gave that larger form factor as an option would be great. now really my ultimate though is just a dumb/featur/flip:phone that can act as a mobile hotspot and that you can connect to and go through all the settings and features and such from a web browser to the local address of the phone. especially to upload/download contacts and calendar.

this sounds like one of those "i don't like this book even though i haven't read it" kind of things.

Surely you can't so lack in imagination to understand expended screen real estate on a pocketable. computer is something people might think is a benefit?

I'd be lucky to make a call a month on my Moto Flip (50 ultra),

When i fold it down it's tiny and easily pocketable and when i flip it open on the 2 hr high speed train ride I just took, it's a great size. for catching up with a couple videos. It's unfolded now, the bigger screen at the top of the on screen kb is nice I got this one for an excellent price, 50% of rrp and had $200 in nearly expired vouchers but the screen isn't that much higher then a slab phone but is 1/2 the size in my pocket and I can do a fair bit on the outside screen re messages etc

I'd like a Samsung Fold 8 but can't justify the price, also when i travel i think I wouldn't need a laptop at all, a small foldable kb and mouse because it's really a pocket computer.

Because I can’t fit a tablet in my pocket

Sometimes you want a larger screen for media or multitasking.

Or in the case of the flip-phone form factor, you want a phone that you can put away or fit in a smaller pocket/purse.

Back in the day, flip phones were nice as they fit in your pocket.

I have a new motorola razr.

Mainly I just think it is neat, but I do like the little screen on the outside. Ive actually noticed my screentime has decreased a lot. Its something about that extra step of opening it up and being able to handle little things on the small exterior screen.

I like how it fits in my pocket when folded compared to a normal phone

Another small thing is that I can set it up half folded to hold my flashlight while working or act as a camera tripod.

Battery is really good too. I'm not sure if it can just fit more battery or if the small exterior screen limits battery usage when closed, or both.

Remember before everyone had a smartphone, boomers would sometimes bring a 10 inch tablet to your kids ballet recital and hold it up obnoxiously above everyone's heads to record? We all want to relive that.

More seriously, it's for people who want the portability of a phone with the size of a tablet. Not something I want, but to each their own.