does anyone use a modern screen-foldable phone as their regular phone?
I haven't met anyone yet who does and I haven't read any good endorsements about foldable phones but I keep seeing advertisement for foldable phones.
Thanks
Fold 4 daily driver. It's easily my favorite phone since my motoX many years ago. I can't imagine going back to a non-foldable. Looking at floorplans, videos, documents, photos, you name it is so much nicer on a small tablet vs a phone screen. I'll absolutely be getting another foldable when I'm done with this one.
Oh that's great to hear.
Awesome, thanks
I have the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3. I absolutely adore this phone. It's thick, but I watch a lot of shows on my phone and having a tablet sized screen to watch them on without having to carry a separate device is amazing. They're not for everyone, I think, but if the flaws in current foldable technology aren't a problem for you and you have the right use cases, they're great.
This is interesting, you're the second person who's mentioned the screen size.
So it's noticeably different than a smartphone? I thought they were all basically the same size as any standard pixel or whatever but just fold it in half.
Also, since you watch movies on your phone, how is the speaker quality?
I have been dying to get another front-facing speaker phone since the HTC 7 and nobody is playing ball.
It's insane that phones don't have front-facing speakers for human ears.
Insane to me.
The Z fold is the size of a standard phone, yes, but it unfolds in half.
Sorry it took so long to get back to you on this. There are some folding phones that fold vertically. They're for convenience and fold out to the same size as a normal candybar phone. The Z Fold folds out horizontally and doubles the screen size. Speakers are fine -- not audiophile territory, but not bad at all.
Had a fold 3 since launch 3 years ago. It's the best phone I've ever used. Software is brilliant and clearly a focus for samsung. The big inner screen is amazing for work and games as well as browsing. Well worth it.
The crease is just a non-issue. People see it from an angle and they think it looks bad and that it would bother them, but i assure you, when you are using the phone yourself and its facing you, like all phones that you are currently interacting with are facing you, you cannot see it. After using this phone for 3 years, i can honestly say i forget its even there.
Anyone complaining about the crease has almost definitely never used one of these phones. I hear the complaint and i can only drawn that conclusion. Its like saying you dont like a certain food that you have never tasted.
There are downsides to the fold phone that the flips wont have. Like the fold 3 is a bit heavier than most normal phones and it has sometimes been an issue when using my phone lying down somewhere as it can be cumbersome to hold up at arms length.
Also the strange aspect ratio means that video is too small to play on the outer screen and doesnt fill the inner screen. You get black boxes at the top and bottom, so video is always a little bit smaller than the inner screen. This doesnt affect games, it seems that 99% of games support the aspect ratio and often give you some level of advantage.
This would not be true on the flip phones as they have a normal screen size when open.
Incidentally, next week i am buying the fold 6 and locking in for another 3 years on a contact. If that is any endorsement.
Edit: reading throught the comments here i noticed a consistent pattern.
Those who have the folding phones cant recommend them enough and say they are the best phones they ever bought.
Those that dont have one but have a friend that has one are saying dont get one as they look bad.
(Of course there are some exceptions on both sides but a quick mental tally, and it seems that what im saying is true)
If you want to weigh in, then maybe own or have owned one before deciding they are good or bad. Your friend might disagree with your concerns about their phone.
I really want a fold 6, but here in my country they are prohibitively expensive. A S24 Ultra was 6k, a new Fold 6 is around 16k. Minimum wage here is 1.4k... Really like the technology, hate the price
1.4k what? A year? What currency is that?
If that's yearly, it would be the equivalent in the uk would be the fold 6 costing the same as a 3 bedroom house. If i was earning 20k, which is give or take the minimum yearly wage here, and my house was 10x that, then yeah... 200k, about the cost of a lower mid level house.
How can a fold 6 cost mor than 10x your minimum wage? It doesnt even cost me 1 months salary and i am not in a well paid job.
Nice, definitely good to hear all the specifics, thanks.
So a flip opens into a normal size screen, but a fold would open into a double size screen?
Definitely like the idea of a fold also.
Video and comics are big for me, and after hearing it so many times, I'm not as worried about the crease itself.
Is there any big improvement for the six over the three that you have now?
Honestly, it's not a massive difference, the outer screen is a little wider which is a nice improvment, the shape of the phone is better, the cameras are miles better and the processor is better. Otherwise its not a massive jump. But my wife wants my fold 3 so i said i would upgrade to the 6 as i get discounts with my job and she can have my old one.
Lots of positive comments here, I can back those up. Will say I think my hinge is getting slightly weaker, but I literally close it whenever I'm not looking at the screen. Z Flip 4.
Yes, I've had the Samsung zFlip 4 for a year and a half. It's great, my phones used to always fall out of my jacket pockets, but the center of gravity of the folded phone is much more stable and I don't have that problem anymore. Can fit easily into my front overall pockets too which is nice. Screen feels much safer as well, since it's usually closed.
(I work outdoors, with overalls a lot)
My only issue with it is the lack of a headphone jack and lack of a removable battery, and it gets overheating issues when I'm outside on hot days - but so has literally every phone I've had. Outdoor worklife is tough on phones.
There is a visible crease, and some friends have mentioned that the fold line would bother them. Personally it doesn't bother me.
The snap close is especially fun, too.
And I like how I can have it propped up in the L position, nice way to have a little screen playing YouTube videos in the background while I work.
Someone mentioned you could do the L shape that's very cool.
And the snap shut does sound cool.
And how it's more secure in your pocket, that's often a concern of mine.
It doesn't feel bulky folded?
I have a Z Flip 3, bought Dec 2021 and used as a daily driver since. I keep meaning to measure the folds I do per day, on average, but I'd guess it's a couple dozen times, conservatively.
I've replaced the screen protector(s) four times; the screen itself is showing no artifacts or signs of wear.
Battery is meh, about the same as my previous Pixel. If I'm not on it all day, watching YouTube and getting stuck in Lemmy, I charge it once a day. If I use it heavily, lots of video binging, I sometimes charge it 3 times a day.
I'll probably try the RAZR next, just because Samsung's bloatware is truly obscene, and I read that Motorola's isn't as bad. But, otherwise, I probably won't ever go back to a non-foldable phone, unless they release some newer tech like roll-out screens.
Very interesting, thanks for answering.
Why won't you ever go back to an unfoldable phone, because of the screen size?
How are the speakers?
Thanks!
I like small phones, or, rather, I hate carrying around a quasi-tablet in my jeans. Folding phones reduce the size for carrying, while allowing good screen size for use.
The speakers are fine, but I'll admit I don't use them for music - only calls, or short YT clips. When I'm listening to music, I use either my earbuds, or an external BT speaker. I wouldn't, like, use the built-in speakers to play music at a party, for instance. I can't say I've met a phone yet that I would.
My friend just switched over to the Android side and got a moto razr flip (the one with the smaller front screen) and he says he fucking loves it and it was one of the best decisions he's ever made.
I can’t imagine a phone being the best decision someone makes … but cool
It's a figure of speech not meant to be taken literally.
Lot of comments omin this thread! So this will prob get buried but here goes!
A couple years ago my phone suddenly died of old age. I had seen a YouTuber who had a folding phone (unrelated to the topic of the video) which I thought was wild looking. I found out that it was called a Z Flip 4 and bought it on a whim...hoping to have a phone that finally fit in my pocket. I loved the thing. It's gimmicky, sure, but fun. And I loved how a modern phone could finally fit in women's pockets.
I had it just under a year before I had a crazy deal to upgrade to the Z Flip 5. I have had this one around a year now and I have been really enjoying it. It was such a massive improvement over the 4 due to the huge cover screen when folded as opposed to just having a tiny screen only useful for briefly checking notifications. I'm not upgrading this year though. Planning to stick with the 5 for a bit I think!
It's silly...but it's fun to see some people's reactions when I pull out my phone in public.
Battery life is not the best in the market, but still perfectly serviceable imo. The Z Flip 6 is being released soon with a bigger battery.
When I first got my Flip 4, I didn't know that Motorola also had a folding phone model in this form factor. But I was jealous of their bright colors when I found out lol.
I would like to see more phone manufacturers try for models in this form factor. Personally, models that unfold out to become tablet sized are just far too chunky and expensive for me. I don't really have a need for such a large device in my pocket all the time. Not sure why so many manufacturers are only into the phone+tablet folding phone model (ex: Google). It's incredibly expensive and they are missing out on some of the market by limiting themselves imo.
I'm following every comment here, although I am surprised at how many people have foldable phone. I don't know anybody that does, haha!
I'm even more surprised at the many positive reviews and I like to hear all of your stories.
But now they're normal to me and the phone seems normal, so now I'm watching reviews and looking up different options.
I don't even see foldable phones as a gimmick anymore, they seem pretty practical depending on the use case now to me, which I was not expecting to come around to!
Thanks
I use a Samsung Flip 4 since almost a year ago. It's pretty good, nice having a phone with a large screen that can easily fit in my pocket. Everything still works well, no problems with the hinge, but I've never dropped it or anything. As for negatives, the camera is meh (coming from a Pixel) and so is the battery life. Definitely needed my powerbank on my most recent vacation to the UK, where I used it a lot. I hope when it dies, there's something like a Pixel Flip that's durable and has good battery life. Otherwise not sure if I'll go for another flip phone.
I need to watch a full review on the Motorola razr+ (U.S. name - I forget what it's called in Europe). I saw some preliminary info that compared favorably to the latest Samsung, plus it runs closer to stock Android. Definitely going to take a closer look.
When you mentioned a large screen, are these screens noticeably larger than a non-foldable phone? Is that the draw?
With the Flip, I'd say the size when flipped open is similar to many other smartphones on the larger side. However, I think that regular phones of that size are quite inconvenient though, so the draw for me is having that large screen size but being able to fold it to something much more compact that isn't annoying to carry around.
Yes. I've used the razr flip. Which was probably the best phone I've ever had. Glorious device. Loved the foldable screen.
I also use a pixel fold. Which is a piece of shit. Software is buggy. Hardware is poorly arranged. Generally hate using it.
Oh that's really interesting. I watched a razr and Z comparison video and the razr looked like it came out on top to me as well, though no judgment was made by the video.
It didn't feel bulky folded? Does the pixel fold?
I have the 2022 razr model. Which has a slightly different form factor than the newer models might have worked better for me. Larger bezels are a bit easier for me to use. As for feeling bulky no not at all. It felt a very nice and good size for one hand when folded. Then when unfolded it felt like a normal phone.
As for the pixel fold well. Folded it feels like a heavy and slightly bulky normal phone. Which is fine. Actually, I don't mind the heaviness of it or the bulkiness of it. That said, I have a lot of problems with the phone's design. For instance, the heaviness makes it difficult to handle confidently without pressing a button for me.
Anyways, I posted a half feverish rant on the pixel fold here https://youtu.be/WHxOosmJt_U
Moto Razr foldable Android user here. I'm very happy with it. They're also very affordable when bought used.
Cool. What led you to buy a foldable phone?
How much are they now?
This question got a lot more answers than I thought.
Second on the RAZR+. Get it. Moto is still a solid company, they added some nice touches, and the exterior screen is awesome (if used less than expected). Paid ~1000 CAD on sale.
Only complaint so far is the OEM screen protector is getting a gnarly partial crease after 7 months, but it's only noticeable on some screens and if you put your finger on it. Should be a warrantied issue I think, but unsure
I did a lot of research and personally found this to be the better option over the Samsung fold (not throwing any shade though).
Edit: also this year's RAZR+ looks even better than last year's
My wife got one of the early models and really liked it. The battery did suck though. She's excited about getting one again that's supposed have better battery, and more convenient dimensions.
Is the screen too big?
Or is it too wide?
I'm surprised to hear so many positive anecdotes, it's cool to learn all of this.
I actually don't know anyone very well right now that has a foldable, so this is all valuable information.
First one was a Samsung flip, which just folds a regular phone in half. It's not really usable folded beyond notifications and such. It was convenient for video calls to be partially folded and set on a table. Also you could hang up on people by closing the phone, which was cool to be able to do again.
New one is a Samsung fold which is more usable as a phone when folded.
I have the Fold 4, I've been using it as a daily driver since 2022. I love the thing, but just last night I had my first problem with it, I have a hardware failure that when I close my phone it turns it off. I am luckily still under the T-Maybe insurance; I have to go poke them with a stick later.
My partner has the flip 3, still going strong.
Overall I love the device, but I recommend never having a foldable without insurance.
the crease is extremely noticeable and is filled with dust and debris
Your relative needs his screen protector replaced. Some people just take it off and live dangerously.
Maybe I have to try one out, because I have heard about the noticeable crease, but nobody who likes the phone mentions it, maybe it's right at that threshold.
Are the Samsung foldables the most popular one?
I daily drive a Z Fold 5 and I can't imagine having to use a non-foldable now. I use it mostly to watch shows and YouTube and it's great. The screen size and oled display is amazing to watch stuff on. But, I also do a lot of other things as well. I bought the pen for it so I doodle on it whenever I'm waiting for something or I mess around in FL Studio and make little jingles. And, what I found to be amazing is that I can use Dolphin on it so I can play GameCube games on it without any lag. I've played through all of paper mario on my phone. I also use it to do a lot of reading and writing to so its great for that and also reading manga and comic books. The screen is insanely bright when you want it to be and the speakers are...well as good as you can expect from a phone but they're still pretty good.
Fascinating.
I love comics but obviously can't read them on a pixel, but you have no problem with them on your Z5?
Except I imagine like the double page spreads?
That all sounds great, why don't they make front-facing speakers in these phones?
It seems so obvious when you face the bottom speaker towards your ear, everything is so much clearer.
Throw them up front, guys
My uncle has one and very much enjoys it
I was surprised at the process too, but I'm glad you mentioned OnePlus. I haven't checked into their phone yet.
That's my next stop, now
Used to work with a few people in the animation industry who had them.
The only time I've ever seen a folding smartphone in person it had a huge, extremely noticeable crease across the screen. The phone was otherwise in good shape from what I could tell.
When foldable screens first came out I thought to myself, "wow that's pretty neat, but what will it look like after several months/years of typical usage? It'll probably have a crease noticeable enough that I would never want to use one." Turns out I wasn't too far off. No thanks, I'll stick with a regular screen.
Hi, i have said this in my own response but i just wanted to say. As someone who has had the fold 3 since launch and used it for the past 3 years. I can assure you, the crease is not an issue. You cant see it when you are using the phone. It doesnt feel uncomfortable when your finger passes over it (if anything its smooth and feels quite nice) and i forget its there 99% of the time. The 1% of the time that i notice it, i dont think "godni wish that wasnt there" i barely even acknowledge it. Because it doesnt matter.
I appreciate that its a worry when you havent used one. It was for me when i got one. Until i realised it doesnt matter.
After using the phone for 3 years the crease is the same as its ever been and i would happily provide photo evidence of that if you or anyone else doesnt believe me.
I thought so too, specifically about the crease, put so many people here. Have owned some type of fold for years without the crease bothering them that I'm going to go through some long-term review videos
I know someone with the Samsung flip4.
She's on the second screen (once replaced already) and still now after a few months a line is visible at the screen.. well, fold and the screen itself is separating in layers.
So I would absolutely not recommend it.
I've been using a z fold3 since it came out. I've had to replace the screen once (under warranty) and replace the stock screen protectors but I still love it and plan to get another foldable whenever it kicks the bucket.
I have a friend who got one of the big ones, and I can't remember which model. He loved it, loved showing it off, and loved all that screen real estate.
Then it broke and he quietly went back to a standard flagship.
I've been using the Samsung zflip 3 since release without issues. I like that it does not take up much pocket space. I've always liked smaller phones like the Xperia Xz1 compact, so the unfolded screen is a bit bigger than I'd like. Sadly there are not many options for small android phones anymore.
I've pre-ordered the zflip6 through att since they are offering a $1100 trade in value for the 3. Looks like it'll have a bit better battery, camera, and a dust protection rating.
Whoa! Foldable phones are that much pricier?
How much is the six?
Sorry, I'm one of the big screen folks too, although I wish I could find front-facing speaker somewhere.
I don't understand how even tablets don't have front facing speakers.
Nope, and I don't intend to anytime in the near future either. Mainly because I see it as just a gimmick with very little practical application. That and you're not going to convince me that you can make glass that will not break after being folded. No thank you. Phone screens are already expensive enough to replace.
Maybe impractical for you, highly practical in my life. Folding smaller makes it easier comfortably carry in accessible pockets, and the center of gravity is more stable so I've had no issues of it falling out of my jacket pockets which uses to happen to me quite a lot!!
I'm half convinced by all the testimony here, but intuitively I'm on the same page as you.
I'll have to see a lot of long-term reviews and use one in real life to really change my mind.
I've got a Z Flip 4 I've been daily driving for almost a year and a half now. The folding is quite convenient, especially with quick launch apps for like payments, but the main problem is the screen cover is peeling along the crease. It can be replaced but there's no service centres in my city so I'd have to mail it
I've heard that about the screen cover specifically with the z, one guy said he replaced it over half a dozen times but he enjoys the phone so much that it was worth it.
I like the look of the folded form as well since I've been researching these after this thread, thanks for your input
I have a Z Fold 2 that I bought refurbished about two years after its release, and have been using daily for about two years. On average I have a couple dozen open/closes per day. It is beginning to show a bit of wear on the center fold but the phone is still highly usable.
I love this thing, it splits the difference between a phone and a tablet in a way that is perfect for me. I will be looking at folding phones again in the future.
That is awesome to hear, my biggest regret for a long time was that I couldn't read comics on my phone, which I sold my laptop and only used a phone for a long time.
Now it sounds like I can read comics on a foldable!
I had a fold 3, now I use a fold 5 as my daily driver. No issues with either except I used the 3 without a case for a while and now the hinge is slightly damaged, everything works tho. Love them.
Nice, why are you sticking with foldables after the change?
I just love having a tablephone. I play Sky Children of Light on it nightly with my kids. I also use it to remote into anything I need at work and its easy to work off of it. I'll be getting the fold 6 through my company when it is released and still have my fold 3 in storage just in case something happens to my employment.
I posted this a while ago, so I'll paste it here from my old comment.
I bought a Z Fold 2 in 2020 and still use it today. Battery life is great, screens are still great (both outer and inner). I always have a cheap case for it that covers the front screen. I have dropped it twice outside on the concrete ground and the cheap case broke, but NOT the phone, so I just bought another case each time--to me, that's what the cheap case is for. I really like it and will probably get another version at some point, but here are my main takeaways:
I am cavalier and am outdoors a lot, but this is a great list and I appreciate it.
I'll take it all into consideration, thanks
I have a razr with big external screen. I like open to answer and close to hang up, it's satisfying.
But I really like that when its closed, it is a nice little device when I just need a little device. Also nice to fit in pocket.
I kind of like the concept of using it as a stand or tent, but frankly it won't stay "on" Long enough for me to get that much use out of it, even when plugged in.
Downsides have been the battery not lasting as long, and once in a great while I pinch myself a little when opening it. Also if I'm trying to wirelessly charge it in my car while also doing Android auto it tends to overheat a bit, but doesn't when I actually plug it in.
Ah good to know, that's the first braided I've heard about the razrs
I like their look and compact nature, thanks.
Probably yes.
Eww no. I'd never buy prototype tech. It's designed to fail
We're on the sixth generation of folding sceens, they're far from prototype tech by now.
Prototype=gimmick
Same stuff..they break easier, quicker, actual normal use causes screens to crease...it's a failed tech but they need to recoup their investment so they keep pushing their failed tech.
Why do you think it's a gimmick?
A lot of the people apparently like them, and the range of models are expanding.
My wife and I both used Z Flip 4 for over a year. Mine isn't my daily anymore but it's still fine. Wife's inner screen died on hers just after the warranty expired. I guess that's mixed results. 😄
Honestly I've thought about going back to mine once or twice since my Pixel 8 Pro had some issues (now mostly resolved).
Why did you stick it with it for a year and then why did you give it up?
After my wife's started dying I was concerned mine would as well. If hers hadn't crapped out I'd probably still be using mine.
Edit: There's always the possibility that mine would have stopped working at some point, too, had I kept using it. After switching I mainly use it when I sleep now, so there's been much less daily wear and tear. Who knows?