Seems like foldable phones are taking over (e.g. Motorola Razr making waves) and only Apple is missing an entry in this form factor now. Almost everyone who can afford one swears by it with the exception of weak build quality.
What do you think? Anyone has one?
Personally, I’m betting on rolling screens (like Oppo X 2021) which seems like the most convenient take.
Meh.
Now, show me a phone with a good physical keyboard, like my old Droid 3 had, and then you’ve got my attention!
I think there was a phone called the Cosmo Communicator or something from a UK company that had a physical keyboard and a touchscreen that seemed cool.
Edit: Link: https://store.planetcom.co.uk/products/cosmo-communicator?variant=29408265338974
Ok this is sick. And for that price
They also have a newer model Astro Slide, but it’s significantly more expensive and has availability problems. I’ve had one since Christmas or so, though, and I’m happy with it. CC is fine as well, and indeed the sale seems quite good.
(I used to have their first phone as well, but truly AS would have been a much better first device to bring to the market, there really aren’t any fundamental flaws in it in my view.)
What do you think are the chances of them being around in 5 years time? I really want to get this as my next phone but for now I’m happy with my current phone (King Kong Mini 2)
I guess currently it doesn’t seem that great, given they’ve been unable to fulfill their Indiegogo campaign due to manufacturing woes. I hadn’t realized how lucky I was to receive this unit :).
I do hope they’ll survive, though, because I want to keep seeing qwerty phones—and have some support for this one…
Rolling screens seems like the more practical idea, if they can become affordable and practical (practical as in similar build quality to existing standard screens)
I do wonder why we aren’t seeing any rolling screens on the market yet despite it looking like a more simple tech than the fold hinge. I hope we have something soon as that would be my preference too.
I just want a small phone with 3.5mm audio that I can use as a music, podcast, and general audio device. By small I mean iPhone 5/SE or less. The latest “mini” is bigger, and they don’t even do minis now.
So Motorola Razr and Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 when folded are smaller in height, but over twice as thick, and notably heavier. Not seeing the advantage.
Foldable phone will always be either more expensive, less durable, or both, so it’s a no go for me, as much as I like the idea.
Put bluntly, I just think they’re bait for people who are willing to pay the stupid tax. Most of them are priced at way over the normal going price for a phone, with some being twice the cost of a phone, which is fitting considering some of them are essentially two phones glued together.
I don’t think I’d enjoy using one. The clamshell ones are interesting, but I use my devices for a long time, and I do not have faith in the hinge or the screen to last the ~5+ years I’d want to use it. To say nothing of the crease that would develop on the screen and the issues that would arise from years of dust and particle buildup on the hinges.
I just think they’re pretty unnecessary. I hope non foldable phones will always be available as major flagships.