Folding phones gaining momentum

[Burwood]

Samsung claiming mass production in 3 months. Apple and others, not to be outdone......

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=wBQmaySQB84

[Burwood]

The physical size having reached its practical limit yet demand for greater real-estate () still growing. I also agree with your comment. Existing form factor now ‘old’ and a switch up needed to differentiate. I doubt Apple would release a bulky phone. It must be slim. Granted that Samsung thing looked hideous

[Burwood]

You won’t open it to use the phone, any feature for that matter.

[Burwood]

Murph7355 said:

Solution for a problem that doesn't exist.

They should be chucking all their efforts at at battery tech and ensuring their software doesn't start ruining the devices after a couple of years (I appear to be being plagued with the Samsung pink line syndrome).

I very much like their products (have been using them since ditching iPhones at the Galaxy S4 stage). I'd like them to last a fair bit longer without the batteries conking out or other aspects becoming obsolete in short order. I don't need a folding screen that makes the thing twice as thick as it needs to be.

I’m sure they’ll still produce the current form factor Murph. Ive noticed a lot of people watching sport on their phones. I can see folibles being very popular with them. I carry my phone in a bag with all my other necessities. Glasses, water, hand sanitizer

[Burwood]

Hoofy said:

Looks good to me. Even at that size/thickness I'd have one if the price were right.

I don't mind a small screen for quick stuff. Then going to the big screen for writing emails or arguing on Facebook.

No question they will be very expensive. Top spec iPads now almost £2k. Expect £1,500

[Burwood]

Oakey said:

If Apple had just unveiled this everyone would be creaming their pants

And that is their genius and why they are worth a trillion.

[Burwood]

Deep Thought said:

If mobile phones are as thin as they can be, then a folded one is going to be twice as thick.

Really cant see it taking off. Theres a limit to the size of phones before they become unwieldly - either in screen size or in the thickness.

Probably a small market for it but not significant.

But they aren’t as thin as possible. And the folding phone won’t usurp a new big iPad. It’s coming. Thin as a wafer thin mint

[Burwood]

Deep Thought said:

Burwood said:

Deep Thought said:

If mobile phones are as thin as they can be, then a folded one is going to be twice as thick.

Really cant see it taking off. Theres a limit to the size of phones before they become unwieldly - either in screen size or in the thickness.

Probably a small market for it but not significant.

But they aren’t as thin as possible. And the folding phone won’t usurp a new big iPad. It’s coming. Thin as a wafer thin mint

Any pics i've seen so far have been clunky looking. Apple will probably be the ones to crack it though.

Exactly, Apple and Samsung won’t release a clunker. They have had this concept in the lab since 2013

[Burwood]

I wouldn’t buy that. It’s rubbish

[Burwood]

Lemming Train said:

FourWheelDrift said:

How it will look - https://www.tomsguide.com/us/galaxy-foldable-rende... and if it doesn't it will do at some point.

Good luck getting that in your jeans pocket. Oh and do let us know how it ends for you when you sit down .

It ended badly

[Burwood]

Apple don't have a folding phone last time I checked and look at the design of this phablet. It sucks donkey balls. £2k rofl.

We will soon find out whether it breaks easily.

Anywho, congrats to Samsung. First to market with a turd

[Burwood]

bloomen said:

thebraketester said:

I can't see a folding screen like that ever having any longevity.

I don't think this is the form factor that's going to work. The Mate X thing looks horrifically vulnerable to ruin.

I'd be interested to see if it ends up heading towards something similar to LG's roll up TV. A screen that can unfurl and be pinned might be a better fit.

The mere process of opening it gives rise to butter fingers.

[Burwood]

FourWheelDrift said:

Samsung recalling all Folds that have been sent out - https://www.tomsguide.com/us/galaxy-fold-recall,ne...

Really surprised that `Samsung jump the gun on this. I hope they don’t go for a quick fix leaving it less aesthetic. It’s slab sided as is.

[Burwood]

HTP99 said:

It astounds me how a company can get it so wrong, what's happened to all of the quality control leading up to the launch!

I can only imagine the ‘cover’ was the fix and it’s all about first to market. I’m sure they’ll ‘fix’ it but still it taints it’s durability perception in the the very least. I don’t see any real tangible benefits. Just ‘look at me’ status. Wait a few years until they design a decent hinge/form factor. This one is just a clunky mess

[Burwood]

It’s as thick as a Filofax. Is it April 1st?

[Burwood]

Nerdherder said:

I found an ‘old’ iPhone 4 in my tech cabinet yesterday. Perfect size for a smartphone really.
I think that there is an ideal size/formfactor for things you hold with one hand (+ keep in your pocket) and similarly an ideal for things you hold with two hands (..Tablets..). These folding things are neither and thus an instant flop. Perhaps some executives will like them for the novelty factor, bit that is all they have imho. These things are a big waste of R&D and marketing budget if you ask me.

Edited by Nerdherder on Sunday 21st July 07:31

Yep. It’s a bit heavy by today’s standards (thick) but agree on the size.

[Burwood]

ajprice said:

The rereleased Samsung Fold is showing up now, just be very very careful with it...
https://www.pocket-lint.com/phones/news/samsung/14...

Also a new Xiaomi phone. This one doesn't fold, but it does wrap the screen around the front and back of the body...
https://www.theverge.com/circuitbreaker/2019/9/24/...

thanks for posting. What a waste of time this phone is. Is that a budge in your pocket or are you happy.....

[Burwood]

I think the RAZR is the better looking/designed phone. The Samsung is too thick. No thanks. £1,500. I'm sceptical about its durability too. After 12 months they'll tell you to swing when that screen fails or leaves a permanent burn mark along the fold which I think it will