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For now foldable devices are still super expensive and only interesting to hardcore tech enthusiasts, but I strongly feel foldable tech is what will finally bri

by gyomu 2y ago

For now foldable devices are still super expensive and only interesting to hardcore tech enthusiasts, but I strongly feel foldable tech is what will finally bring some innovation to phones & tablets, whose form factor has been stagnant for quite a while now. It's probably still a while away, but I for one am very excited for Apple to ship a regular size iPhone that folds down to a small square (people with small pockets know the pain), and an iPad Pro that folds down to the size of an iPad mini and can fit in my daily sling. And as the tech keeps maturing and gets cheaper, we'll probably see interesting offerings from smaller players like Nothing. Nintendo making a foldable Switch 3 could also be super cool. As someone who works in the hardware space, I'm excited :)

poisonborz 2y ago
> only interesting to hardcore tech enthusiasts I think that the HN crowd is exactly that and I doubt many would want this phone. Foldable phones are just flashy status symbols at this point without much use. I guess the actual target market is affluent people who want to show off, who want to have "something different", and who will not actually use the added screen space.
- daeken 2y ago
  I want a trifold (albeit not this one). I switched to foldables with the Z Fold 3 and never looked back; I've upgraded each generation since, because they make my life substantially better. While I still spend a lot of time at my computer for dev work, I have some chronic issues that limit the hours I can manage; to me, my foldable is essentially a disability aid. I wrote an entire novella on my foldable (only the editing was done on a computer), done countless meetings while splitting the screen for a doc review, etc. It has genuinely changed my quality of life and I'm thankfully in a position that the cost isn't an issue.
- automatic6131 2y ago
  >Foldable phones are just flashy status symbols at this point without much use I have a foldable phone, and the killer use case is watching videos (YouTube, Netflix) on the go, at the breakfast table, on a plane or train. And better gaming (e.g. I played XCom Enemy Within a couple of years ago, blew my mind. A full PC game from my teenage years, in the palm of my hand). The game was so much more usable in the unfolded state with a pen/stylus. The third great use case is filming myself lifting weights from anywhere flat e.g. a bench. Without use of a tripod or the waterbottle leaning trick (which requires a mostly full bottle, and a high friction surface and the angle is never right). Also, for the first time since I was a teenager, strangers will actually ask you about it. It's rare enough that people are even interested in phones anymore. This is definitely YMMV But I can assure you, it's no status symbol, unless identifying yourself as a tech nerd with slightly too much disposable income is a status you want. Which is what I am, but who aspires to this?
  - prmoustache 2y ago
    > I have a foldable phone, and the killer use case is watching videos (YouTube, Netflix) on the go, at the breakfast table, on a plane or train. I do that on a non foldable phone. Could the screen be bigger? Yes. Do I need it to be bigger? Not as much as I need a durable phone.
    - automatic6131 2y ago
      Perfectly reasonable trade off, that. And for most people. In its current iteration, foldable phones are a niche product but I believe that niche is bigger than current market penetration.
    - daeken 2y ago
      I genuinely don't understand the durability concerns with foldables. I've been daily driving the Z Fold 3-6 and the only failure I've had was a software issue on the 4 that broke WiFi. Nearly 4 years of heavy daily use, countless drops, and the weak point has only been with software.
      - aothms 2y ago
        Well there's this https://www.reddit.com/r/samsunggalaxy/comments/10f0x0n/z_flip_4_shuts_down_completely_when_folded/ https://www.reddit.com/r/samsunggalaxy/comments/10f0x0n/z_fl... which I'm also affected by. I've ducktaped the backside to prevent my muscle memory from constantly folding it. Nearly two years old; not big deal for me, but still.
        daeken 2y ago
        Ouch, that's a brutal issue -- thanks for letting me know! I'm glad the Folds haven't been affected, given that having this thing open in my pocket is just not doable haha
- gloxkiqcza 2y ago
  It also depends on the lifestyle a lot. For many people ruggedness is a high priority. That’s why today's phones tend to have a metal chassis all around and protruding curved edge screens have basically gone away. Typical current smartphone form factor can be used in any conditions without worrying too much about it. Foldables of today can only be used worry free by non-outdoorsy urban people doing white collar jobs (I don’t mean any offense here, the same applies to eg a Porsche 911).
- linhns 2y ago
  Looking at the replies to this comment, I'd not say tech enthusiasts are going to be into these foldables, only those that want something that can be an iPhone, an iPad and possibly a laptop combined into one without being good at any of them. I still stick with my iPhone SE 2 as it doesn't fall out of my pocket.
kevincox 2y ago
I don't think they are only for enthusiasts. I know multiple non-enthusiasts who decided to get the first form factor you described (regular phone size that folds in half) and love it. This style is also not way more expensive than other phones. Personally I will likely get this tri-fold style for my next phone, being able to open up to a small tablet is very useful for me. Your future is here. These devices have now proven themselves reliable enough for daily use by the average person. As long as you are ok with Android they are out of the enthusiast space.
temporalparts 2y ago
I saw an old man yesterday use a foldable for the larger screen for larger fonts. Maybe he was a hardcore tech enthusiasts, but larger screens is an important use case for many.
ghaff 2y ago
There is this convergence space intersecting phones, tablets, and laptops that seems tantalizingly a bit over the horizon but feels like it should be achievable. Some people make it work to some degree today: the phone is big enough that you don't really need a dedicated tablet. A keyboard and pencil let you use the tablet as a laptop for many purposes. (Heck, many kids are fine with using a phone for everything as it is.)
gloxkiqcza 2y ago
I think we will get trifold iPhone -> iPad form factor, just like this Huawei, first. It’s what Apple has been building towards with their UI frameworks and it has the biggest value add. I wouldn’t bet on iPhone that folds to even smaller form factor, that’s quite unApple like. iPad that folds like a MacBook has been rumored tho. Anyway, we have to wait for the tech to become mature enough for Apple standards first.
uallo 2y ago
Speaking of innovation: There are people like me who just want a smaller and lighter phone.
- ghaff 2y ago
  That doesn't seem to be the popular view though. The largest iPhones are a bit large for me but the current iPhone Pro size is about my sweet spot. Probably if I felt the way you do, I'd use my Apple Watch more than I do. I find both my watch and tablet don't add enough incremental value to use much of the time.
- gloxkiqcza 2y ago
  Lucky for you, iPhone Air is rumored :) I get you, iPhone Xs has been peak iPhone chassis for me. I had two iPhone Pros since and neither felt nearly as ergonomic and magical in my hand.

by gyomu 2y ago

poisonborz 2y ago

> only interesting to hardcore tech enthusiasts I think that the HN crowd is exactly that and I doubt many would want this phone. Foldable phones are just flashy status symbols at this point without much use. I guess the actual target market is affluent people who want to show off, who want to have "something different", and who will not actually use the added screen space.

daeken 2y ago
I want a trifold (albeit not this one). I switched to foldables with the Z Fold 3 and never looked back; I've upgraded each generation since, because they make my life substantially better. While I still spend a lot of time at my computer for dev work, I have some chronic issues that limit the hours I can manage; to me, my foldable is essentially a disability aid. I wrote an entire novella on my foldable (only the editing was done on a computer), done countless meetings while splitting the screen for a doc review, etc. It has genuinely changed my quality of life and I'm thankfully in a position that the cost isn't an issue.
automatic6131 2y ago
>Foldable phones are just flashy status symbols at this point without much use I have a foldable phone, and the killer use case is watching videos (YouTube, Netflix) on the go, at the breakfast table, on a plane or train. And better gaming (e.g. I played XCom Enemy Within a couple of years ago, blew my mind. A full PC game from my teenage years, in the palm of my hand). The game was so much more usable in the unfolded state with a pen/stylus. The third great use case is filming myself lifting weights from anywhere flat e.g. a bench. Without use of a tripod or the waterbottle leaning trick (which requires a mostly full bottle, and a high friction surface and the angle is never right). Also, for the first time since I was a teenager, strangers will actually ask you about it. It's rare enough that people are even interested in phones anymore. This is definitely YMMV But I can assure you, it's no status symbol, unless identifying yourself as a tech nerd with slightly too much disposable income is a status you want. Which is what I am, but who aspires to this?
- prmoustache 2y ago
  > I have a foldable phone, and the killer use case is watching videos (YouTube, Netflix) on the go, at the breakfast table, on a plane or train. I do that on a non foldable phone. Could the screen be bigger? Yes. Do I need it to be bigger? Not as much as I need a durable phone.
  - automatic6131 2y ago
    Perfectly reasonable trade off, that. And for most people. In its current iteration, foldable phones are a niche product but I believe that niche is bigger than current market penetration.
  - daeken 2y ago
    I genuinely don't understand the durability concerns with foldables. I've been daily driving the Z Fold 3-6 and the only failure I've had was a software issue on the 4 that broke WiFi. Nearly 4 years of heavy daily use, countless drops, and the weak point has only been with software.
    - aothms 2y ago
      Well there's this https://www.reddit.com/r/samsunggalaxy/comments/10f0x0n/z_flip_4_shuts_down_completely_when_folded/ https://www.reddit.com/r/samsunggalaxy/comments/10f0x0n/z_fl... which I'm also affected by. I've ducktaped the backside to prevent my muscle memory from constantly folding it. Nearly two years old; not big deal for me, but still.
      - daeken 2y ago
        Ouch, that's a brutal issue -- thanks for letting me know! I'm glad the Folds haven't been affected, given that having this thing open in my pocket is just not doable haha
gloxkiqcza 2y ago
It also depends on the lifestyle a lot. For many people ruggedness is a high priority. That’s why today's phones tend to have a metal chassis all around and protruding curved edge screens have basically gone away. Typical current smartphone form factor can be used in any conditions without worrying too much about it. Foldables of today can only be used worry free by non-outdoorsy urban people doing white collar jobs (I don’t mean any offense here, the same applies to eg a Porsche 911).
linhns 2y ago
Looking at the replies to this comment, I'd not say tech enthusiasts are going to be into these foldables, only those that want something that can be an iPhone, an iPad and possibly a laptop combined into one without being good at any of them. I still stick with my iPhone SE 2 as it doesn't fall out of my pocket.

kevincox 2y ago

I don't think they are only for enthusiasts. I know multiple non-enthusiasts who decided to get the first form factor you described (regular phone size that folds in half) and love it. This style is also not way more expensive than other phones. Personally I will likely get this tri-fold style for my next phone, being able to open up to a small tablet is very useful for me. Your future is here. These devices have now proven themselves reliable enough for daily use by the average person. As long as you are ok with Android they are out of the enthusiast space.

temporalparts 2y ago

I saw an old man yesterday use a foldable for the larger screen for larger fonts. Maybe he was a hardcore tech enthusiasts, but larger screens is an important use case for many.

ghaff 2y ago

There is this convergence space intersecting phones, tablets, and laptops that seems tantalizingly a bit over the horizon but feels like it should be achievable. Some people make it work to some degree today: the phone is big enough that you don't really need a dedicated tablet. A keyboard and pencil let you use the tablet as a laptop for many purposes. (Heck, many kids are fine with using a phone for everything as it is.)

gloxkiqcza 2y ago

I think we will get trifold iPhone -> iPad form factor, just like this Huawei, first. It’s what Apple has been building towards with their UI frameworks and it has the biggest value add. I wouldn’t bet on iPhone that folds to even smaller form factor, that’s quite unApple like. iPad that folds like a MacBook has been rumored tho. Anyway, we have to wait for the tech to become mature enough for Apple standards first.

uallo 2y ago

Speaking of innovation: There are people like me who just want a smaller and lighter phone.

ghaff 2y ago
That doesn't seem to be the popular view though. The largest iPhones are a bit large for me but the current iPhone Pro size is about my sweet spot. Probably if I felt the way you do, I'd use my Apple Watch more than I do. I find both my watch and tablet don't add enough incremental value to use much of the time.
gloxkiqcza 2y ago
Lucky for you, iPhone Air is rumored :) I get you, iPhone Xs has been peak iPhone chassis for me. I had two iPhone Pros since and neither felt nearly as ergonomic and magical in my hand.