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Samsung taking market share from Apple in U.S. as foldable phones gain momentum

276 points by mgh2 1y ago

deleted 1y ago
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wraptile 1y ago
I just bought a 2nd hand Fold 6 for 800$ and I'm not going back to slab phones ever. Primarily because I've never done as much reading as I've done in the past month with this phone. Removal of friction here has been such a game changer when it comes to productive use of my phone - now when I would doom scroll otherwise I just unfold my phone and do a bit of reading. The only drawback is the camera but turns out it's much easier to carry a dedicated camera (Canon g7xm3 in my case) than a dedicated reading device / tablet.
- robin_reala 1y ago
  Given the price and fragility of foldables, I’m happier to stick to a cheap phone with a small screen to minimise the urge to use it (second-hand iPhone 13 Mini), and carry around a Kobo for reading needs.
  - bartvk 1y ago
    Yup, a friend of mine has been into folding phones for some years now, and he warned me that these foldables seem to last about two years before something happens. (He didn't quite specify what would happen, though.)
    - theshackleford 1y ago
      I got a friend on a fold going on four years now, it's fine. Milage varies I suppose.
      - bartvk 1y ago
        Good to know, thanks!
        theshackleford 1y ago
        I should have noted, it doesnt look as good as a slab phone does after that period. The crease is now (at least to me) very noticable, but it does still work. I've been watching his to see if I should make the transition away from Apple back to Android haha.
      - tracerbulletx 1y ago
        I have a friend that doesn't have a foldable phone. I'm skeptical such phones even exist.
  - williamdclt 1y ago
    > I’m happier to stick to a cheap phone with a small screen to minimise the urge to use it (second-hand iPhone 13 Mini) Me too, but this option is disappearing. As our minis reach end of life, I don't think we'll have other "small" options than foldables, unless you're willing to go for super niche android phones (eg unihertz) Hopefully the foldables become more resilient by then
    - robin_reala 1y ago
      I fully expect to get 3-4 more years life out of my 13 Mini; hopefully by that point Apple will do another small(ish) phone release for people who are holding out.
      - mikestew 1y ago
        Haven’t even had to replace the battery in our 13 Minis yet, so hoping as well for another 4 years. After that, I hope Apple has glued two small iPhone Airs together and made a foldable.
  - wraptile 1y ago
    The fragility is mostly a myth. New foldables are very durable.
  - goosedragons 1y ago
    I have one of the newer lowend Razrs. It wasn't that expensive, less than a base model iPhone and it actually helps me use my phone less because it takes intention to actually open it.
- blitzar 1y ago
  [flagged]
  - rjh29 1y ago
    Yeah I also watched more youtube on the fold... I don't miss it. Except for when doing the Sunday New York Times crossword!
  - noelwelsh 1y ago
    Did the parent edit their comment, or did you choose an ungenerous interpretation of what they wrote?
    - wraptile 1y ago
      The latter, I've never said what the parent comment is quoting.
    - eloisius 1y ago
      This is just 4chan-style argumentation where you belittle someone by purposefully misinterpreting and misquoting them.
  - wraptile 1y ago
    You're quoting something I didn't say and reading books is pointless?
- rjh29 1y ago
  I also bought a 2nd hand Fold 4 for $700... it lasted a year before the wifi/bluetooth broke, it stopped folding all the way, and eventually stopped booting up. Seem to always have reliability issues with Samsung phones. Hopefully the 6th iteration is more stable.
  - baby 1y ago
    The google fold seems better quality
- rcarr 1y ago
  I felt this way at one point and vocally proclaimed as such on here. My Fold 5 developed a bubble under the screen protector after about 18 months. I sent it into Samsung through the website to get it repaired. Whoever "repaired" it, just seemed to slice the screen protector down the middle with an knife so it had a big ugly line down the center. Predictably, it was full of bubbles again within a week. I'm not even bothering opening it anymore for fear that it will break the inner screen. Between this and the fact that I had another two Samsung phones that developed hardware faults making them unusable after 2 years of use, I'm absolutely done with Samsung. Before that, I had an iPhone that was still going strong after 7 years. I'm preordering an iPhone tomorrow and selling the Samsung. Doubt I will be venturing into the Android ecosystem again. Might get an Apple foldable depending on what the initial reports are like on durability after it's been around for a couple of years. The time sink of having to transfer a phone across is high and I really cba with doing it because of avoidable screen repair.
  - treecrypto 1y ago
    >I had another two Samsung phones that developed hardware faults making them unusable after 2 years of use, I'm absolutely done with Samsung I haven't tried any foldable phones and I have no intention to anytime soon, but with other samsung phones my experience has been completely different. I've only ever used Samsung smartphones, and the only times they broke was when I dropped them or mishandled them myself somehow. My current one is past the 6 year mark, and I have no issues with it. It still keeps 48 hours of battery with my normal use (though that might not be saying much considering my normal use is different from most people's normal use of watching videos for hours)
    - Lord-Jobo 1y ago
      My experience with 5 Samsung phones over 10ish years, last one being 2019: Great hardware that nearly always impresses. Very infrequent hardware issues compared to its main competitors (in the android space). Extremely annoying software experience. Locked bootloader aside, as I recognize that's only an issue for a very small group. But the software goes through these intense hills and valleys where you can go a long time without updates, with bugs, with bloat, with problems. Then a burst of updates that seem to address many of those issues, then it just slides back into the shit. And the amazing hardware is dragged down in this cycling, to the point where the phone will feel old at an accelerated rate. I've hard that exact complaint about apple and a few other android manufacturers many times but only Samsung has genuinely given me that experience. It's very unfortunate. If they unlocked the bootloader I could bypass the software issues myself and have damn near the perfect phone.
- ktosobcy 1y ago
  I'd still prefere regular phone (wouldn't mind something smaller, like 5,5" with bigger battery) and dedicated e-ink ebook reader... it's just more convenient and with it I'm guaratneed to be distraction free...
- creer 1y ago
  If you prefer to carry a dedicated camera in addition to a phone, aren't you a far outlier? To the point that one of the most common sayings in photography is "the best camera is the one you carry" (even when it's the sub-par one).
  - crinkly 1y ago
    I think that's really that most people don't know or don't care enough about photography. Which is fine. That's up to them. But some of us do care. "The best camera is the one you carry" is about opportunistic capture of moments i.e. it's better to record them on anything than nothing. That doesn't always work. I've lost more moments than I gained on a smartphone camera which won't focus on what I want, does weird uncorrectable things with white balance, has a pretty nasty digital zoom, or has gunk on the lens from being handled.
    - creer 1y ago
      That's fair. (Heading off topic:) My take on that saying is that I make art when the inspiration strikes. So I am often caught carrying a minimal amount of stuff but noticing something and wanting to play with it. My very mediocre 1st gen iPhone SE is indeed absurdly far in capabilities from my serious camera - but historically there have been far worse cameras. (And it has never been quite the same since I replaced the battery and I annoy my friends by tapping the phone so it will auto-focus.)
    - wraptile 1y ago
      Exactly! To add, if I take a dedicated camera with me it feels like a side quest permission to go out there and look for actual photography targets actively rather than just wait for an opportunity. It's kinda like taking a shovel to the beach - you'll end up digging some holes just because you took it.
  - wraptile 1y ago
    The phone camera is still very much functional but it's not newest gen Pixel. It probably matches most 2-4 year old slab phones. The slab cameras are actually very much in right now and my g7x I had for 5 years now has risen in value which basically never happened with cameras before.
- joshlemer 1y ago
  Which app do you use to read?
  - wraptile 1y ago
    Play Books is actually really underrated! It's quite minimal, cross platform with cloud state and does everything really well. One cool unique feature I found is that it can sync notes and highlights straight to a google drive folder.
- jiqiren 1y ago
  I had two friends that said the same thing and now both have iPhones. They got sick of constantly sending in their phones to be replaced for screen failures. One had a pixel other had a Samsung. The one with a pixel final break was when he landed in Belize to start a vacation and the screen died. Entire vacation he had to borrow wife’s iPad mini to read.
Lio 1y ago
If Samsung had a better reputation for privacy they’re the brand I’d switch to for one of their folders. I’m put off by how Samsung monetise every data source they’re trusted with though. E.g. TV viewing, phone data, Samsung Pay, forced analytics, etc. As a brand they don't seem to have any restraint when it comes to user privacy.
- imp0cat 1y ago
  There is a positive side to that though. For example, their alternative to Apple's Find My seems to work quite well.
- ourmandave 1y ago
  I switched to a Motorola after my Samsung repeatedly nagged me about offers in my area with the ever popular "not now" instead of "f*ck off" button. I'd like a foldable but not so much to pay $1300 for the Razr.
  - FirmwareBurner 1y ago
    What Samsung did you have? Afaik their flagships don't have any nagging. And which Motorola did you get? Don't they have the same promotional nagging?
    - ourmandave 1y ago
      Most my phones are the low end free-to-get-you-to-sign-up models. AT&T doesn't have low end Motorolas so I bought an unlocked, guaranteed to work with AT&T, sub $300 one directly off motorola.com and took it to the AT&T store. So far it's left me alone.
      - FirmwareBurner 1y ago
        Low-end Android all have the same nagging adware or if they're not nagging they're definitely selling your data way more than flagships where customer UX is a priority.
high_na_euv 1y ago
Flip phones are really the only phone product that actually excites me
- Mistletoe 1y ago
  Why does it excite you?
  - high_na_euv 1y ago
    It reminds me the phones from 2005, they were really cool and smaller in ya pocket
    - simoncion 1y ago
      If one is interested in small smartphones, the Unihertz Jelly series of phones might satisfy that interest. (Amazingly, "small" is roughly the size of the Nexus S... which I found to be the ideal phone size for my large hands.)
      - jcgl 1y ago
        I’d love the Jelly, but all of Unihertz’s stuff is basically devoid of software updates :( I’m not gonna buy e-waste.
        simoncion 1y ago
        > I’m not gonna buy e-waste. e-waste? Their latest phone is running the very same version as the four-year-old Pixel 5a; Android 14. Incidentally... not only does my Pixel 5a still runs software distributed through the Play Store just fine, its battery life is still quite acceptable.
        jcgl 1y ago
        If you can find me credible evidence that Unihertz will support the device for 5+ years, delivering major version upgrades and timely security patches, then I'll take back what I said. In 2025, a lax approach to the OS lifecycle (especially with security patches) isn't legitimate and respectable.
rjh29 1y ago
Samsung is no longer leading the pack for folding. They refuse to innovate; Fold 7 is almost identical to Fold 4. Cameras are sub-par and they removed pen support. Meanwhile Honor Magic V5 has pen support on both screens, top of the range cameras, silicon-carbide batteries, and is 4.1mm thick unfolded!
- asadotzler 1y ago
  Almost identical? The Fold 4 was 14.2mm thick and weighed 263g while the Fold 7 is 8.9mm and weighs 215g. The Z Fold 4 feels like two flagships stacked in your pocket. The Fold 7 is lighter than an iPhone Pro max and only a vinyl sticker thicker. It feels identical to a flagship in your pocket but it's got an 8" screen. Not innovative? Where's Apple's innovation toward an 8" smartphone?
  - rjh29 1y ago
    Yes, it's 30% thinner... it still has no innovation with cameras, new battery technology, and removal of pen support? I am not comparing it to apple, I'm comparing it to Honor, OnePlus/Vivo, Xiaomi - China has far more development in the folding phone sector at the moment. Their phones have been consistently thinner and lighter and Samsung is only just beginning to catch up.
- jamesblonde 1y ago
  I have had the fold 7 for 5 weeks (since release day). It's fantastic. My daughter won't touch any other phone now - she loves the big screen. My only gripe is that the fold is a bit tricky to open, otherwise, it's the big breakthrough in phones we have been waiting 10 years for.
rs186 1y ago
So the facts we know are that 1) Samsung market share rising from 23% to 31% and 2) they recently released new foldable phones. But do we know that's the actual primary reason for the increase? I couldn't tell that from the article. The article mentions engagement of specific social media posts, but that's as much as it, without any sales number/estimates from anyone.
- mgh2 1y ago
  We don't, but can extrapolate: [1] Reviewer comparison: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=45209164 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=45209164 [2] Specs: iPhone Air: 5.64mm, 165g vs. Samsung Edge: 5.8mm, 163g, 200MP camera, stereo, larger battery https://www.facebook.com/theapplehubofficial/posts/galaxy-s25-edge-vs-iphone-air/1338866981233232/ https://www.facebook.com/theapplehubofficial/posts/galaxy-s2... [3] Demand by young man: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=44678489 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=44678489
- ls-a 1y ago
  Foldable phones are selling like hot cakes outside the U.S. but I don't know about the U.S. market. Could be catching up. Here are some things to know about folding phones 1. They're like expensive cars. Do not own one without a warranty 2. As soon as the new model comes out, swap it in 3. If you're into smaller phones, they're a good option 4. They are not for the financially conscious. Those things are kind of a status symbol
  - coldpie 1y ago
    > 3. If you're into smaller phones, they're a good option Curious to hear more about this. I don't mind thickness so much. How small are they? If I can get a decent phone with a <= 5" screen, I'd be ecstatic.
    - ls-a 1y ago
      What I meant was using the outer screen while folded (e.g. Z Flip models)
thebruce87m 1y ago
Apple are in a bind here since the bend/crease will degrade over time. Other manufacturers get a pass on this sort of stuff (just look at Pixel phones not making emergency calls for a prime example), but apple will be hit with fines and class action lawsuits.
- Zigurd 1y ago
  Apple sometimes manages to wait out bad ideas: they never gave into the bad idea of touchscreen "convertible" laptops, just conceding the touch bar which is now extinct.
  - izacus 1y ago
    That's a most generous reading of the touchbar fiasco I've ever seen (and I've heard a lot of Apple fans speak).
    - j_maffe 1y ago
      Wait until Apple comes out with a folding phone, they'll say it was the plan all along lol
    - Zigurd 1y ago
      I wasn't trying to be generous. I was making a nod toward something like malicious compliance. I used to have a big old Mercedes sedan that had the worst cupholder in automotive history that would break as soon as possible. It was designed to pop out of a slot in the center console. But real German car drivers finish their coffee before stepping into the car. That's how I see the touch bar. It was meant to be awful.
    - meatmanek 1y ago
      IMO the touchbar was the least-bad thing about my touchbar 2017 MBP. The butterfly keyboard, flexgate, the USB-C ports that lost their ability to retain cables after like 20 insertions, and the overheating and quickly-degrading battery were much bigger issues. I didn't really get much value out of the touchbar (never really used any per-app touchbar functionality), but it was mostly fine -- I adjusted to the touchbar escape key pretty quickly.
rubzah 1y ago
Been using a flip for four years (Samsung) and will buy another when the time comes (not necessarily Samsung). Ever wanted a smaller phone? That's a flip phone, it just happens to expand when you need it. Ever drop your phone and damage the screen ? The closed flip phone is super sturdy. Ever wanted to put your phone on the table and use it with one hand, laptop style? Flip. Even in general use, having it slightly bent towards you is a nicer experience that a fully flat phone. Yes, it has a slight crease in the middle, it has never bothered me even a little. And now, there's an actual microcrack across the crease, doesn't really bother me either, but for some people it might. Look forward to improvements in the next generations.
- 542354234235 1y ago
  I had the Flip 2, 3, and 5. I just switched to the Moto Razr Ultra and I feel like it is even better. The external screen works almost like the internal screen, making it extremely easy to use. Samsung locks down their external screen pretty hard and you need a lot of work arounds that still don't give me the same functionality as the Razr. I also got the Clicks physical keyboard case for it, which turns it into a modern Blackberry type phone. I love it. The physical keyboard means no on-screen keyboard taking up your external screen space. I only actually open my phone a few times a day, which really helps keep doomscrolling at bay. Full discloser, the keyboard isn't perfect and definitely has some quirks and tradeoffs but on the whole I'm glad I got it.
- wffurr 1y ago
  When it goes on sale, I'm going to give it a go with the Moto Razr 2025 with the Clicks keyboard case. Closed, it looks almost exactly like an old Blackberry, but it can flip open to a normal-ish (coming from an iPhone Mini very tall) screen when needed.
kristianp 1y ago
It would be nice if the extra room when unfolded could be used for a real keyboard. Probably too thin for one, though.
out_of_protocol 1y ago
Samsung Folds 1-6 are kinda bad, much worse than competitors. Samsung Fold 7 is really good, so are Honor phones (V3, V5). Honor folds are sold on Amazon in Europe. Currently own V3 one, 1 year in, so far so good, feels really sturdy.
n1b0m 1y ago
Feels like the iPhone Air is just a test run for Apple's own folding phone. If you attach two iPhone Airs with a hinge and a little extra screen to create one seamless display, and boom, there's your folding iPhone.
- simmerup 1y ago
  And it's still worse than an Honor Magic
- asadotzler 1y ago
  If you attached 2 iPhone Airs, you'd have a chonky foldable at 11.2mm getting into territory where people complained with the previous Samsung. Samsung's current, Fold 7, is 8.9mm closed. Turns out you can actually go thinner than a thin slab like Samsung Edge (5.8mm) or iPhone Air (5.6mm) because you can move components out of one side and put them in the other, including battery. This lets Samsung build a foldable that's 4.2mm when open, meaningfully slimmer than either the Edge or Air. My guess is Apple's book-style foldable will be ~4mm open and ~8.5mm closed and just edges out Samsung's Fold 8 when they ship next year.
broast 1y ago
I've had a flip 3 and flip 5 which both had screen and hinge problems within a year. I love the form factor but just don't take it to the beach. My flip 5 inner screen is currently unusable so I'm stuck using the small square cover screen which I'm enjoying quite a bit too. I don't know if my next phone should be a flip phone or a small phone, but nothing gets as small or as good hardware as the front cover of these flip phones, vs other small phones
- frereubu 1y ago
  I responded in another thread about the iPhone Air that I wanted something from Apple that's smaller than my current iPhone 13 mini. There are at least two of us!
  - dontlaugh 1y ago
    If they made a flip style iPhone that closed smaller than the mini and opened to similar size or only a bigger, I’d definitely buy it.
jrs235 1y ago
Personally I think they're ugly. They might have some functional advantage, that I don't know. I believe they're going to be the cyber truck of mobile phones, primarily a status symbol.
- jemmyw 1y ago
  I mean who cares that much what their metal slab looks like? I jest because I know lots of people do, but it really should be a thing primarily for function. I'd like a foldable if it had as nice cameras as my current phone.
  - bartvk 1y ago
    If you make a lot of selfies then the camera is actually better. When making selfies on a regular phone, you use the front-facing camera which is often sub-par. But with the Samsung Folds, you use the main camera for selfies (you flip open the phone, and see the viewfinder on the outside screen).
    - jemmyw 1y ago
      I never make selfies
- seec 1y ago
  Yes but it's not ugly in the look/fashion sense, it's just ugly because it doesn't match a reality where it has a purpose. Either they have good form factor closed but they suck open or they have good form factor open but they suck closed. They could go with no external screen but it would be much more annoying to use. And I think it says something fundamental about smartphones, that Steve Jobs intuitively understood: it's a good tool when you can pull it out of your pocket and use it in seconds (preferably one-handed when possible). Having a bigger screen but that needs to be unfolded doesn't add any benefits to this primary need and ends up requiring a lot of compromises (weight/volume, compromising pocket ability) for uses cases that are infrequent and would be better served by a typical table anyway. Funnily enough, in those situations you are quite likely to have the bag to carry this solution so the foldable phone becomes moot. To make things worse, they are ridiculously expensive, often more than what it would cost to buy both an equivalent phone and tablet, which is at the same time stupid and genius. And yes, this is precisely why they are a social status thing. You have to be quite affluent to buy something so practically stupid, you are basically burning cash. I find folding phones interesting for what they so aptly demonstrate about life in general: no matter how hard you try, you can't have it both ways.
Zigurd 1y ago
I hope the iPhone Air is successful. Folding phones seems so obviously a gimmick. A year from now many of these relatively affordable folding phones will be e-trash, and social media will be full of complaints and retrospective wisdom about how they could never have been reliable. But consumer product offerings are full of gimmicks. Apple is trying not to give into herd mentality.
- ThrowawayTestr 1y ago
  My parents are both on their third flip phones. Some people really like the form factor
  - hu3 1y ago
    It's funny. When/If Apple releases a foldable iPhone, suddenly most of these critics will think it's the greatest idea ever.
    - Zigurd 1y ago
      Just like Apple released touchscreen laptops, amirite? They were a bad idea and a crime against ergonomics.
      - bigyabai 1y ago
        This but unironically. The funniest product in Apple's lineup right now, bar none, is the iPad Pro with Magic Keyboard. Apple spent 15 years refining their replacement for the laptop, and it's a touchscreen laptop that runs less software. You'd think that Apple would stop themselves after reinventing the 2013 Microsoft Surface. Then they reprised Hololens with Vision Pro - how was nobody paying attention to Microsoft's failures at Cupertino?
        izacus 1y ago
        It's a touchscreen laptop that runs less software and somehow costs more than the actually great laptop they sell at similar size. That magic keyboard pricing is... woof.
general1465 1y ago
I have got Samsung S25 Edge which is essentially Samsung's version of iPhone 17 Air few months ago. Only thing (software wise) which has really been showed down my throat is Bixby and Gemini. No I don't want your stupid AI, get deleted. Other than that, I can't complain about anything.
tassadarforaiur 1y ago
I'm curious how quickly that trend will reverse when Google fulfills their promise to lock down sideloading on android. Samsung makes nice hardware, but their bloatware is infuriating. I spend a lot of time on every new device, using ADB to purge as many samsung apps as I can. I'm getting tired of doing it. Once I can't sideload anymore on android, my next phone will be an iphone.
- thehappypm 1y ago
  Very, very, very few consumers even know what sideloading is
- asadotzler 1y ago
  The trend, if there is one, will be effected in no measurable way when a few nerds bail because they can't remove Samsung's browser. By the way, outside of core phone features like Phone (dialer,) Settings, Camera, etc. you can disable or uninstall everything else without sideloading anything.
- lawn 1y ago
  Unfortunately, very few people care about sideloading. And for those who do, Apple has been blocking sideloading for years. The actual solution is to buy a phone that supports GrapheneOS. No bloatware, install what you want, and get top class security and privacy too.
dkobia 1y ago
I thought the idea of a folding phone was just a cash grab until I saw someone on the plane across the aisle from me interacting with one. It has been a while since I saw someone get so much enjoyment out of a device. The back and forth between folded and unfolded to read messages and watch movies/read a book was mesmerizing. It made me realize that this form factor could actually enhance the user experience in a meaningful way.
- ZeroCool2u 1y ago
  I genuinely think book reading is the killer app for foldable devices. A bigger screen for a movie or TV is nice to have, but not a game changer. When you have that much screen real estate you can get a really enjoyable experience reading a novel or just easily read a textbook or research paper in a way that's simply not possible on even the largest of what you might consider a typical size phone. Plus, you no longer need to deal with buying and maintaining a separate device like an iPad! This is why I suspect Apple is dragging its feet on the foldable category, besides letting the screen technology mature. It will probably cannibalize some sales from that market segment.
  - kccqzy 1y ago
    Exactly. Apple is adding so much to iPadOS 26 (e.g. new windowing features) that it resembles the Mac. The next foldable iPhone will be like the iPadOS prior to version 26, so that Apple can make sure iPadOS remains more powerful than iOS.
  - bjacobel 1y ago
    > Plus, you no longer need to deal with buying and maintaining a separate device like an iPad! I've found a much easier solution to this problem.
  - leobg 1y ago
    What about book reading requires a large screen? I find my phone much more comfortable to hold than a book. It fits my hand. You only read one sentence at a time anyway. I rather scroll, keeping the current sentence in the middle of the screen than jump around with my eyes in an open book, and having to turn pages, or keeping them flat. Am I missing something? (Real question. I read a lot!)
beAbU 1y ago
Everyone is forgetting that Apple had a foldable phone in 2014/15
- aakkaakk 1y ago
  Lie.
  - daemonologist 1y ago
    They're joking about "bendgate" (the iPhone 6 was not very rigid).
    - uncletaco 1y ago
      bendghazi*
- beAbU 1y ago
  Seems like people in this thread cant take a joke.
Night_Thastus 1y ago
I'll be totally honest, I do not get the appeal of foldable phones, at least with the designs I've seen so far. I guess you can unfold it to get a bigger 2-part screen? That's about it? I'd imagine that having it be un-foldable compromises the battery life, overall thickness (when folded) and weight to at least some extent - plus it costs way more. Is the additional screen real-estate really worth that?
- torben-friis 1y ago
  I could see it for older people. My mom and uncles all use extremely large font sizes, they’re barely able to see a whole text at once and they check pictures by traversing them while highly zoomed.
- bee_rider 1y ago
  I’d much rather have a screen that unfurls like a scroll.
- pinkmuffinere 1y ago
  It doesn’t appeal to me either, but I’ve often heard “functionality, taken to an extreme, becomes fashion”. I think that might be what’s happening here. There are _some_ cases in which you might want a foldable phone. But even if you don’t need it, a (good) foldable phone becomes a status symbol. See also: expensive mechanical watches, sports cars, bottles that hold temperature for 24 hours
- bluGill 1y ago
  If your eyes are young and you only use the phone alone. If you are older you need reading glasses for small screens. If you are showing a video to someone else you need a larger screen to see detail. of course not knowing you or your uses I can't say if any of this should matter to you. Still it seems like a nice idia not a fad. Only time will tell if people really want it once the fad is over.
- bhelkey 1y ago
  > it be un-foldable compromises the battery life, overall thickness (when folded) and weight to at least some extent Not as much as you would think. The Galaxy Fold 7 has a 6.5" outer screen (as compared to 6.3" screen in the iPhone 16 pro), is 8.9mm thick when folded (8.25mm in the iPhone 16 pro), has a 4400mAh battery (3,582 mAh in the iPhone 16 pro), and weighs 215g (199 grams for the iPhone 16 pro). > plus it costs way more The big downsides are price of $1999 launch price as compared to $999 launch price for the iphone 16 pro and durability. For durability, the foldable screens seem to be very soft making it easy to damage, say with a thumbnail.
_2d30 1y ago
This article seems a bit silly. If we look at Q3 and Q4 sales, I bet it shows Apple increasing its share of phones shipped. Comparing one company’s share in a quarter where they launch new devices to another company’s share when that company launched no new devices is, frankly, stupid.
baby 1y ago
I switched to Android last year, from being a long time iPhone user, just for the fold. I got the google pixel fold 9 pro. I also got lucky as it's right when all the cool AI integration started (and it sounds like it doesn't really work on Apple). My first hand experience is that I will probably never be able to go back to a non-folding phone. The ability to get a small tablet on demand anywhere (subway, train, bed, couch, etc.) is really the next technological breakthrough we were waiting for. I think the pricing and the battery kinda suck, android also doesn't have the same polish as iOS, but most of the criticism that I've read is not really relevant (for example, I can't see the crease at all if I look at my phone) I use it a lot to read PDFs and watch videos, or when U want to multi task with two apps open at the same time (e.g. filling forms with a pic of my passport on the other screen). I also read mangas from it. Oh and the ability to use the back camera for selfies while being able to see myself is so great I use that all the time.
- wffurr 1y ago
  >> android also doesn't have the same polish as iOS As someone who switched from using Android for many years to iOS for the iPhone Mini, this seems to be all about what you're used to. The lack of polish on iOS for many features, notifications and quick settings first among them, makes me crazy but not enough to deal with a huge phone. Android's had the notification shade with integrated settings since just about day one and it's a killer feature.
  - lapetitejort 1y ago
    Riffing on a comment I saw on one of LinusTechTip's "Switch to Android/Apple" videos: phone users misinterpret familiarity with intuitiveness and polish. Android is "intuitive" to me because I've been using it more than a decade. It's "polished" because I'm blind to the rough edges.
    - abandonliberty 1y ago
      I was really surprised when I first got an iPhone. After all the hype about it being so intuitive and polished, it was just different. Some things better, some things worse. But Apple devices take a bit longer to go obsolete, and seem just a tiny bit less invasive as they don't rely on an advertising model for revenue.
vachina 1y ago
Foldables are a fad. Yeah, you can doomscroll with a bigger screen, but having to baby it? Also foldables, even when folded are bulkier. For whatever usecases for foldables, a tablet is more suitable.
- jajuuka 1y ago
  Believe it or not people use phones for different purposes. Some people carry phones in bags or purses where space not a not a big concern. Some people use their phones for work and a bigger screen is helpful in the process and for multitasking. Some people aren't rough with their phones either. A fad doesn't last this long. We are on year 7 of foldables available in the mainstream and sales and production are only increasing. Every major OEM has at least foldable or is releasing one soon. 3D TV's were fully dead in 7 years for context.
AlexandrB 1y ago
I just want smaller phones. Where did they all go?
- jamesblonde 1y ago
  They are now also foldable! Z Flip 7 - check it.
ge96 1y ago
The newest thin fold looks amazing but I can't justify a $2K phone idk maybe I'm just poor. Like I used to want a Lamborghini Aventador but now I just want a Lotus Exige. $300K seems too much too me but again is it a poor/mindset thing. I think a land would be better use of that money. Mindset as in levels... I used to be afraid of my $30K student debt while I was in school thinking getting an engineering job that pays $60K would be great but now I make more than that and my debt is also beyond $30K so yeah levels.
- ajkjk 1y ago
  lol, what is going on inside this comment, you're like whiplashing between having preferences and explaining why you should want fancy things but then actually you don't. like... it's completely okay to not want something expensive not because you're poor but because you just don't want to spend money on it; your preferences for what's worth money to you don't have to be justified to anyone else. Except for maybe your family. Personally I don't have any desire to buy any of those expensive things at all, because I don't even notice their existence, but that's just me. Seems better to be minimalistic. Similarly, to not have any debt, because why would you want to be more stressed and tied to a job than the minimum possible? But maybe it's different if your friends / social circle cares about shiny things or something.
  - ge96 1y ago
    Yeah I'm working on the debt part The car thing I like driving fast/sporty cars, cheapest one for performance would be an older Corvette but yeah (not saying Lambo is performance, that one it's the looks, Exige though is both though different eg. acceleration/curve handling vs. top speed). I'm just saying, there was a guy I was talking to who owned a Lambo and he's like "if it went up in flames I'd be fine", it's like I have to get to that headspace or maybe I'm not built that way not sure But yeah I do go back and forward between wanting things/feeling guilty for being better off than others
    - ajkjk 1y ago
      It sounds like you're trying to feel what you're supposed to feel according to other people, and then feeling anxious about that's not how you actually feel? which sounds hard. I'm pretty sure the only way to be that makes any sense, however, is to feel what you actually feel, and if someone tries to make that seem wrong or bad, tell them (mentally or out loud) to fuck off. It's not possible to force yourself to feel differently than you feel--that's, like, what a feeling is. If something makes you think you should modify your feelings, it's wrong, like it's a complete category error; you can only react to them, not will them to change. Not that I don't fall in the same trap, but, y'know, it's an aspiration. and personally I'd judge the hell out of someone who owned a lambo and didn't care about it going up in flames. We get it, they want people to think they're so rich that they don't care about their own possessions. All I hear is a person try to say certain things in order to make you find them impressive.
phoenixhab 1y ago
BUT WHY? It costs 2000 dollars and folds in half. So what? What's the difference?
skc 1y ago
I was sceptical about this for factor seeing as it seemed like a gimmicky throwback to the early to mid 2000s. But honestly, now that I've played around with Samsungs offerings I get it. Back in the day phones had quite a bit of personality, and Samsung really nailed that aspect.
ChrisMarshallNY 1y ago
Most of the foldables I’ve seen around here, are the new Razr phones. I think they are pretty cool. Haven’t seen many, though. I’ve only seen one Samsung.
commandersaki 1y ago
Just incase people were confused like me, this article is a bit dated and published Aug 16th.
kingkongjaffa 1y ago
Call me old fashioned but I hope Apple always keeps the iphone without folding, and always keeps ipad. I love both devices for different things, I don’t want them smushed together.
EnjoyTheRaunch 1y ago
[dead]
DonHopkins 1y ago
Do they have a hinge monitor so you can make them fart when you fold and unfold them?
soneca 1y ago
I definitely did not see that coming. In my mind, foldable phones were the 3D TV of the phones. Interesting development though. Nice to see something that is both cool looking and, apparently, useful getting traction.
corn13read2 1y ago
Apple is probably baffled as to why 10 generations of foldable by the competition my set them back some. I guarantee one day Apple will figure out how to put touch in a laptop and it will be world changing </s> I can’t name a single real iPhone innovation in a decade.
vesche 1y ago
I bought a zfold 7 about a month ago, it has been without a doubt the coolest new device I have purchased in many years. It's unbelievably thin, if you use it in normal phone mode you can't even tell that it's a fold. I have installed so many fun apps. I downloaded Mihon which is a manga/comic reader and I've read the first 10 volumes of Berserk, it's such a great experience reading manga on the fold screen. I also got NetherSX2 which is a PS2 emulator, it's insane to me that a phone can emulate PS2 games perfectly, I played thru a good bit of Kingdom Hearts one night with a Switch controller connected via bluetooth. I also downloaded ReadEra and have read some of the Malazan fantasy series on the device. I can play Oldschool Runescape while watching YouTube videos at the same time. I have RVNC viewer and have used it to connect to a Linux system downstairs to manage one of my systems. The split keyboard on fold mode is super easy and fast to type on, I'm using it right now to send this message. The web browsing experience is great because unlike iPhone, I can have uBlock origin and desktop mode websites look great on the fold screen. Having both a phone and tablet in your pocket is phenomenal. I don't think I can go back at this point. Apple knows this, which is imo why the rumor is the new iPhone 17 will have a fold option for a higher price. If you think it's gimmicky, you haven't tried it yet.
deleted 1y ago
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ookblah 1y ago
the fold 7 genuinely made me want to get a foldable for the first time, was that sleek. if it wasn't for being captive to the apple ecosystem i would strongly consider it (and may do so). i think with agentic coding now my ideal setup would be to be able to walk away and remote in from my heavy desktop/laptop w/ just my phone and check in on stuff and do some light work, etc. obviously i would still have my laptop but i wouldn't have to lug it around everywhere.
- user34283 1y ago
  I gave that a try, but it wasn't particularly economic. I considered buying a keyboard for this case. I then decided against it. Probably carrying a MacBook Air makes more sense if I want to get work done on the go. That said, I'm happy with my new Pixel 9 PF. It's better than the iPhone 16 Pro Max. I also own various Apple devices, but I can't say there's any ecosystem integration I particularly miss. Instead of iCloud I just use Google Drive now. I can still do facetime calls on my Mac. Also I continue to use the Home app on the iPhone.
zmmmmm 1y ago
It's funny now that Apple is speculated to have a foldable phone on the drawing board, I can hear in real time all the tech "journalists" swinging their viewpoints around from considering it a joke to saying what a good idea it is and how they can't wait for it. Some of them already talking like Apple invented it, before they even have a product. Seems like Apple still has the reality distortion field.
fennecbutt 1y ago
I love the idea of them, but I just can't trust the basically plastic surface of them. Scratches/dents too easily. I mean there's only Samsung and LG in the display space basically, one of them will solve it but...not quite yet.
davedx 1y ago
Honestly the OnePlus 13 is looking better than either the iPhone or Samsungs to me. It’s a great time to be in the market for a new smartphone!
Liftyee 1y ago
At some point when second-hand folding phones decrease in cost I'd like to get one as a second device just as a compact pocketable datasheet/PDF reader for engineering/electronics work. I think having a tablet sized screen without the bulk would be a huge bonus. I recently tried an old industrial head-mounted display (Realwear HMT-1), but the display resolution is not good.
exabrial 1y ago
Try introducing a memory card slot… and a headphone jack. Then you’ll really sail past them.
ubermonkey 1y ago
I still do not understand the appeal of a folding phone. I mean, phones are solid devices now, and they work for years upon years if you don't have some kind of mishap. Putting a hinge in the display 100% is creating a weak point in that display. It's very likely going to reduce lifespan for an expensive device. I get gadgetlust, sure, but is it more that that? The other thing is that even if I wanted a folding display, it wouldn't be enough to get me to jump platforms.
- chiph 1y ago
  I think there are two factors that drive the purchase. Primarily - it's a status symbol. I am reminded of the scene with Paul Allen's business card... But also that it's useful when you want a larger display surface in a more portable form. Like watching films on an airplane or reading documents without having to constantly swipe & zoom. I agree with the other poster(s) that Apple is likely working on a folding model, even though it would sabotage sales of some iPad models.
  - sdoering 1y ago
    I know quite a few older people who started to cherish them, as they now have the real estate to finally feel at home on a mobile device they can just easily take with them. Tablets were great, just less portable. So for quite a relevant segment it seems to become an enabling form factor. There are just people who seem to be basing everything on their own use case. I have neither interest nor need for a fold-able phone. But I can totally get why it is not only interesting, but actually useful to people in different circumstances.
easeout 1y ago
People who have them love them. I think there's truth to the idea that iPhone Air is a stepping stone to a foldable with thin halves.
nancyminusone 1y ago
I still don't think I'll ever be able to trust a foldable phone. Doesn't matter how many videos you show me of "look, we folded it 200,000 times and it didn't break!", I've repaired enough broken wires and accidentally broken enough ribbon cables to want those things as far from my pocket as possible.

276 points by mgh2 1y ago

deleted 1y ago

[deleted]

I just bought a 2nd hand Fold 6 for 800$ and I'm not going back to slab phones ever. Primarily because I've never done as much reading as I've done in the past month with this phone. Removal of friction here has been such a game changer when it comes to productive use of my phone - now when I would doom scroll otherwise I just unfold my phone and do a bit of reading. The only drawback is the camera but turns out it's much easier to carry a dedicated camera (Canon g7xm3 in my case) than a dedicated reading device / tablet.

robin_reala 1y ago
Given the price and fragility of foldables, I’m happier to stick to a cheap phone with a small screen to minimise the urge to use it (second-hand iPhone 13 Mini), and carry around a Kobo for reading needs.
- bartvk 1y ago
  Yup, a friend of mine has been into folding phones for some years now, and he warned me that these foldables seem to last about two years before something happens. (He didn't quite specify what would happen, though.)
  - theshackleford 1y ago
    I got a friend on a fold going on four years now, it's fine. Milage varies I suppose.
    - bartvk 1y ago
      Good to know, thanks!
      - theshackleford 1y ago
        I should have noted, it doesnt look as good as a slab phone does after that period. The crease is now (at least to me) very noticable, but it does still work. I've been watching his to see if I should make the transition away from Apple back to Android haha.
    - tracerbulletx 1y ago
      I have a friend that doesn't have a foldable phone. I'm skeptical such phones even exist.
- williamdclt 1y ago
  > I’m happier to stick to a cheap phone with a small screen to minimise the urge to use it (second-hand iPhone 13 Mini) Me too, but this option is disappearing. As our minis reach end of life, I don't think we'll have other "small" options than foldables, unless you're willing to go for super niche android phones (eg unihertz) Hopefully the foldables become more resilient by then
  - robin_reala 1y ago
    I fully expect to get 3-4 more years life out of my 13 Mini; hopefully by that point Apple will do another small(ish) phone release for people who are holding out.
    - mikestew 1y ago
      Haven’t even had to replace the battery in our 13 Minis yet, so hoping as well for another 4 years. After that, I hope Apple has glued two small iPhone Airs together and made a foldable.
- wraptile 1y ago
  The fragility is mostly a myth. New foldables are very durable.
- goosedragons 1y ago
  I have one of the newer lowend Razrs. It wasn't that expensive, less than a base model iPhone and it actually helps me use my phone less because it takes intention to actually open it.
blitzar 1y ago
[flagged]
- rjh29 1y ago
  Yeah I also watched more youtube on the fold... I don't miss it. Except for when doing the Sunday New York Times crossword!
- noelwelsh 1y ago
  Did the parent edit their comment, or did you choose an ungenerous interpretation of what they wrote?
  - wraptile 1y ago
    The latter, I've never said what the parent comment is quoting.
  - eloisius 1y ago
    This is just 4chan-style argumentation where you belittle someone by purposefully misinterpreting and misquoting them.
- wraptile 1y ago
  You're quoting something I didn't say and reading books is pointless?
rjh29 1y ago
I also bought a 2nd hand Fold 4 for $700... it lasted a year before the wifi/bluetooth broke, it stopped folding all the way, and eventually stopped booting up. Seem to always have reliability issues with Samsung phones. Hopefully the 6th iteration is more stable.
- baby 1y ago
  The google fold seems better quality
rcarr 1y ago
I felt this way at one point and vocally proclaimed as such on here. My Fold 5 developed a bubble under the screen protector after about 18 months. I sent it into Samsung through the website to get it repaired. Whoever "repaired" it, just seemed to slice the screen protector down the middle with an knife so it had a big ugly line down the center. Predictably, it was full of bubbles again within a week. I'm not even bothering opening it anymore for fear that it will break the inner screen. Between this and the fact that I had another two Samsung phones that developed hardware faults making them unusable after 2 years of use, I'm absolutely done with Samsung. Before that, I had an iPhone that was still going strong after 7 years. I'm preordering an iPhone tomorrow and selling the Samsung. Doubt I will be venturing into the Android ecosystem again. Might get an Apple foldable depending on what the initial reports are like on durability after it's been around for a couple of years. The time sink of having to transfer a phone across is high and I really cba with doing it because of avoidable screen repair.
- treecrypto 1y ago
  >I had another two Samsung phones that developed hardware faults making them unusable after 2 years of use, I'm absolutely done with Samsung I haven't tried any foldable phones and I have no intention to anytime soon, but with other samsung phones my experience has been completely different. I've only ever used Samsung smartphones, and the only times they broke was when I dropped them or mishandled them myself somehow. My current one is past the 6 year mark, and I have no issues with it. It still keeps 48 hours of battery with my normal use (though that might not be saying much considering my normal use is different from most people's normal use of watching videos for hours)
  - Lord-Jobo 1y ago
    My experience with 5 Samsung phones over 10ish years, last one being 2019: Great hardware that nearly always impresses. Very infrequent hardware issues compared to its main competitors (in the android space). Extremely annoying software experience. Locked bootloader aside, as I recognize that's only an issue for a very small group. But the software goes through these intense hills and valleys where you can go a long time without updates, with bugs, with bloat, with problems. Then a burst of updates that seem to address many of those issues, then it just slides back into the shit. And the amazing hardware is dragged down in this cycling, to the point where the phone will feel old at an accelerated rate. I've hard that exact complaint about apple and a few other android manufacturers many times but only Samsung has genuinely given me that experience. It's very unfortunate. If they unlocked the bootloader I could bypass the software issues myself and have damn near the perfect phone.
ktosobcy 1y ago
I'd still prefere regular phone (wouldn't mind something smaller, like 5,5" with bigger battery) and dedicated e-ink ebook reader... it's just more convenient and with it I'm guaratneed to be distraction free...
creer 1y ago
If you prefer to carry a dedicated camera in addition to a phone, aren't you a far outlier? To the point that one of the most common sayings in photography is "the best camera is the one you carry" (even when it's the sub-par one).
- crinkly 1y ago
  I think that's really that most people don't know or don't care enough about photography. Which is fine. That's up to them. But some of us do care. "The best camera is the one you carry" is about opportunistic capture of moments i.e. it's better to record them on anything than nothing. That doesn't always work. I've lost more moments than I gained on a smartphone camera which won't focus on what I want, does weird uncorrectable things with white balance, has a pretty nasty digital zoom, or has gunk on the lens from being handled.
  - creer 1y ago
    That's fair. (Heading off topic:) My take on that saying is that I make art when the inspiration strikes. So I am often caught carrying a minimal amount of stuff but noticing something and wanting to play with it. My very mediocre 1st gen iPhone SE is indeed absurdly far in capabilities from my serious camera - but historically there have been far worse cameras. (And it has never been quite the same since I replaced the battery and I annoy my friends by tapping the phone so it will auto-focus.)
  - wraptile 1y ago
    Exactly! To add, if I take a dedicated camera with me it feels like a side quest permission to go out there and look for actual photography targets actively rather than just wait for an opportunity. It's kinda like taking a shovel to the beach - you'll end up digging some holes just because you took it.
- wraptile 1y ago
  The phone camera is still very much functional but it's not newest gen Pixel. It probably matches most 2-4 year old slab phones. The slab cameras are actually very much in right now and my g7x I had for 5 years now has risen in value which basically never happened with cameras before.
joshlemer 1y ago
Which app do you use to read?
- wraptile 1y ago
  Play Books is actually really underrated! It's quite minimal, cross platform with cloud state and does everything really well. One cool unique feature I found is that it can sync notes and highlights straight to a google drive folder.
jiqiren 1y ago
I had two friends that said the same thing and now both have iPhones. They got sick of constantly sending in their phones to be replaced for screen failures. One had a pixel other had a Samsung. The one with a pixel final break was when he landed in Belize to start a vacation and the screen died. Entire vacation he had to borrow wife’s iPad mini to read.

Lio 1y ago

If Samsung had a better reputation for privacy they’re the brand I’d switch to for one of their folders. I’m put off by how Samsung monetise every data source they’re trusted with though. E.g. TV viewing, phone data, Samsung Pay, forced analytics, etc. As a brand they don't seem to have any restraint when it comes to user privacy.

imp0cat 1y ago
There is a positive side to that though. For example, their alternative to Apple's Find My seems to work quite well.
ourmandave 1y ago
I switched to a Motorola after my Samsung repeatedly nagged me about offers in my area with the ever popular "not now" instead of "f*ck off" button. I'd like a foldable but not so much to pay $1300 for the Razr.
- FirmwareBurner 1y ago
  What Samsung did you have? Afaik their flagships don't have any nagging. And which Motorola did you get? Don't they have the same promotional nagging?
  - ourmandave 1y ago
    Most my phones are the low end free-to-get-you-to-sign-up models. AT&T doesn't have low end Motorolas so I bought an unlocked, guaranteed to work with AT&T, sub $300 one directly off motorola.com and took it to the AT&T store. So far it's left me alone.
    - FirmwareBurner 1y ago
      Low-end Android all have the same nagging adware or if they're not nagging they're definitely selling your data way more than flagships where customer UX is a priority.

high_na_euv 1y ago

Flip phones are really the only phone product that actually excites me

Mistletoe 1y ago
Why does it excite you?
- high_na_euv 1y ago
  It reminds me the phones from 2005, they were really cool and smaller in ya pocket
  - simoncion 1y ago
    If one is interested in small smartphones, the Unihertz Jelly series of phones might satisfy that interest. (Amazingly, "small" is roughly the size of the Nexus S... which I found to be the ideal phone size for my large hands.)
    - jcgl 1y ago
      I’d love the Jelly, but all of Unihertz’s stuff is basically devoid of software updates :( I’m not gonna buy e-waste.
      - simoncion 1y ago
        > I’m not gonna buy e-waste. e-waste? Their latest phone is running the very same version as the four-year-old Pixel 5a; Android 14. Incidentally... not only does my Pixel 5a still runs software distributed through the Play Store just fine, its battery life is still quite acceptable.
        jcgl 1y ago
        If you can find me credible evidence that Unihertz will support the device for 5+ years, delivering major version upgrades and timely security patches, then I'll take back what I said. In 2025, a lax approach to the OS lifecycle (especially with security patches) isn't legitimate and respectable.

rjh29 1y ago

Samsung is no longer leading the pack for folding. They refuse to innovate; Fold 7 is almost identical to Fold 4. Cameras are sub-par and they removed pen support. Meanwhile Honor Magic V5 has pen support on both screens, top of the range cameras, silicon-carbide batteries, and is 4.1mm thick unfolded!

asadotzler 1y ago
Almost identical? The Fold 4 was 14.2mm thick and weighed 263g while the Fold 7 is 8.9mm and weighs 215g. The Z Fold 4 feels like two flagships stacked in your pocket. The Fold 7 is lighter than an iPhone Pro max and only a vinyl sticker thicker. It feels identical to a flagship in your pocket but it's got an 8" screen. Not innovative? Where's Apple's innovation toward an 8" smartphone?
- rjh29 1y ago
  Yes, it's 30% thinner... it still has no innovation with cameras, new battery technology, and removal of pen support? I am not comparing it to apple, I'm comparing it to Honor, OnePlus/Vivo, Xiaomi - China has far more development in the folding phone sector at the moment. Their phones have been consistently thinner and lighter and Samsung is only just beginning to catch up.
jamesblonde 1y ago
I have had the fold 7 for 5 weeks (since release day). It's fantastic. My daughter won't touch any other phone now - she loves the big screen. My only gripe is that the fold is a bit tricky to open, otherwise, it's the big breakthrough in phones we have been waiting 10 years for.

rs186 1y ago

So the facts we know are that 1) Samsung market share rising from 23% to 31% and 2) they recently released new foldable phones. But do we know that's the actual primary reason for the increase? I couldn't tell that from the article. The article mentions engagement of specific social media posts, but that's as much as it, without any sales number/estimates from anyone.

mgh2 1y ago
We don't, but can extrapolate: [1] Reviewer comparison: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=45209164 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=45209164 [2] Specs: iPhone Air: 5.64mm, 165g vs. Samsung Edge: 5.8mm, 163g, 200MP camera, stereo, larger battery https://www.facebook.com/theapplehubofficial/posts/galaxy-s25-edge-vs-iphone-air/1338866981233232/ https://www.facebook.com/theapplehubofficial/posts/galaxy-s2... [3] Demand by young man: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=44678489 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=44678489
ls-a 1y ago
Foldable phones are selling like hot cakes outside the U.S. but I don't know about the U.S. market. Could be catching up. Here are some things to know about folding phones 1. They're like expensive cars. Do not own one without a warranty 2. As soon as the new model comes out, swap it in 3. If you're into smaller phones, they're a good option 4. They are not for the financially conscious. Those things are kind of a status symbol
- coldpie 1y ago
  > 3. If you're into smaller phones, they're a good option Curious to hear more about this. I don't mind thickness so much. How small are they? If I can get a decent phone with a <= 5" screen, I'd be ecstatic.
  - ls-a 1y ago
    What I meant was using the outer screen while folded (e.g. Z Flip models)

thebruce87m 1y ago

Apple are in a bind here since the bend/crease will degrade over time. Other manufacturers get a pass on this sort of stuff (just look at Pixel phones not making emergency calls for a prime example), but apple will be hit with fines and class action lawsuits.

Zigurd 1y ago
Apple sometimes manages to wait out bad ideas: they never gave into the bad idea of touchscreen "convertible" laptops, just conceding the touch bar which is now extinct.
- izacus 1y ago
  That's a most generous reading of the touchbar fiasco I've ever seen (and I've heard a lot of Apple fans speak).
  - j_maffe 1y ago
    Wait until Apple comes out with a folding phone, they'll say it was the plan all along lol
  - Zigurd 1y ago
    I wasn't trying to be generous. I was making a nod toward something like malicious compliance. I used to have a big old Mercedes sedan that had the worst cupholder in automotive history that would break as soon as possible. It was designed to pop out of a slot in the center console. But real German car drivers finish their coffee before stepping into the car. That's how I see the touch bar. It was meant to be awful.
  - meatmanek 1y ago
    IMO the touchbar was the least-bad thing about my touchbar 2017 MBP. The butterfly keyboard, flexgate, the USB-C ports that lost their ability to retain cables after like 20 insertions, and the overheating and quickly-degrading battery were much bigger issues. I didn't really get much value out of the touchbar (never really used any per-app touchbar functionality), but it was mostly fine -- I adjusted to the touchbar escape key pretty quickly.

rubzah 1y ago

Been using a flip for four years (Samsung) and will buy another when the time comes (not necessarily Samsung). Ever wanted a smaller phone? That's a flip phone, it just happens to expand when you need it. Ever drop your phone and damage the screen ? The closed flip phone is super sturdy. Ever wanted to put your phone on the table and use it with one hand, laptop style? Flip. Even in general use, having it slightly bent towards you is a nicer experience that a fully flat phone. Yes, it has a slight crease in the middle, it has never bothered me even a little. And now, there's an actual microcrack across the crease, doesn't really bother me either, but for some people it might. Look forward to improvements in the next generations.

542354234235 1y ago
I had the Flip 2, 3, and 5. I just switched to the Moto Razr Ultra and I feel like it is even better. The external screen works almost like the internal screen, making it extremely easy to use. Samsung locks down their external screen pretty hard and you need a lot of work arounds that still don't give me the same functionality as the Razr. I also got the Clicks physical keyboard case for it, which turns it into a modern Blackberry type phone. I love it. The physical keyboard means no on-screen keyboard taking up your external screen space. I only actually open my phone a few times a day, which really helps keep doomscrolling at bay. Full discloser, the keyboard isn't perfect and definitely has some quirks and tradeoffs but on the whole I'm glad I got it.
wffurr 1y ago
When it goes on sale, I'm going to give it a go with the Moto Razr 2025 with the Clicks keyboard case. Closed, it looks almost exactly like an old Blackberry, but it can flip open to a normal-ish (coming from an iPhone Mini very tall) screen when needed.

kristianp 1y ago

It would be nice if the extra room when unfolded could be used for a real keyboard. Probably too thin for one, though.

out_of_protocol 1y ago

Samsung Folds 1-6 are kinda bad, much worse than competitors. Samsung Fold 7 is really good, so are Honor phones (V3, V5). Honor folds are sold on Amazon in Europe. Currently own V3 one, 1 year in, so far so good, feels really sturdy.

n1b0m 1y ago

Feels like the iPhone Air is just a test run for Apple's own folding phone. If you attach two iPhone Airs with a hinge and a little extra screen to create one seamless display, and boom, there's your folding iPhone.

simmerup 1y ago
And it's still worse than an Honor Magic
asadotzler 1y ago
If you attached 2 iPhone Airs, you'd have a chonky foldable at 11.2mm getting into territory where people complained with the previous Samsung. Samsung's current, Fold 7, is 8.9mm closed. Turns out you can actually go thinner than a thin slab like Samsung Edge (5.8mm) or iPhone Air (5.6mm) because you can move components out of one side and put them in the other, including battery. This lets Samsung build a foldable that's 4.2mm when open, meaningfully slimmer than either the Edge or Air. My guess is Apple's book-style foldable will be ~4mm open and ~8.5mm closed and just edges out Samsung's Fold 8 when they ship next year.

broast 1y ago

I've had a flip 3 and flip 5 which both had screen and hinge problems within a year. I love the form factor but just don't take it to the beach. My flip 5 inner screen is currently unusable so I'm stuck using the small square cover screen which I'm enjoying quite a bit too. I don't know if my next phone should be a flip phone or a small phone, but nothing gets as small or as good hardware as the front cover of these flip phones, vs other small phones

frereubu 1y ago
I responded in another thread about the iPhone Air that I wanted something from Apple that's smaller than my current iPhone 13 mini. There are at least two of us!
- dontlaugh 1y ago
  If they made a flip style iPhone that closed smaller than the mini and opened to similar size or only a bigger, I’d definitely buy it.

jrs235 1y ago

Personally I think they're ugly. They might have some functional advantage, that I don't know. I believe they're going to be the cyber truck of mobile phones, primarily a status symbol.

jemmyw 1y ago
I mean who cares that much what their metal slab looks like? I jest because I know lots of people do, but it really should be a thing primarily for function. I'd like a foldable if it had as nice cameras as my current phone.
- bartvk 1y ago
  If you make a lot of selfies then the camera is actually better. When making selfies on a regular phone, you use the front-facing camera which is often sub-par. But with the Samsung Folds, you use the main camera for selfies (you flip open the phone, and see the viewfinder on the outside screen).
  - jemmyw 1y ago
    I never make selfies
seec 1y ago
Yes but it's not ugly in the look/fashion sense, it's just ugly because it doesn't match a reality where it has a purpose. Either they have good form factor closed but they suck open or they have good form factor open but they suck closed. They could go with no external screen but it would be much more annoying to use. And I think it says something fundamental about smartphones, that Steve Jobs intuitively understood: it's a good tool when you can pull it out of your pocket and use it in seconds (preferably one-handed when possible). Having a bigger screen but that needs to be unfolded doesn't add any benefits to this primary need and ends up requiring a lot of compromises (weight/volume, compromising pocket ability) for uses cases that are infrequent and would be better served by a typical table anyway. Funnily enough, in those situations you are quite likely to have the bag to carry this solution so the foldable phone becomes moot. To make things worse, they are ridiculously expensive, often more than what it would cost to buy both an equivalent phone and tablet, which is at the same time stupid and genius. And yes, this is precisely why they are a social status thing. You have to be quite affluent to buy something so practically stupid, you are basically burning cash. I find folding phones interesting for what they so aptly demonstrate about life in general: no matter how hard you try, you can't have it both ways.

Zigurd 1y ago

I hope the iPhone Air is successful. Folding phones seems so obviously a gimmick. A year from now many of these relatively affordable folding phones will be e-trash, and social media will be full of complaints and retrospective wisdom about how they could never have been reliable. But consumer product offerings are full of gimmicks. Apple is trying not to give into herd mentality.

ThrowawayTestr 1y ago
My parents are both on their third flip phones. Some people really like the form factor
- hu3 1y ago
  It's funny. When/If Apple releases a foldable iPhone, suddenly most of these critics will think it's the greatest idea ever.
  - Zigurd 1y ago
    Just like Apple released touchscreen laptops, amirite? They were a bad idea and a crime against ergonomics.
    - bigyabai 1y ago
      This but unironically. The funniest product in Apple's lineup right now, bar none, is the iPad Pro with Magic Keyboard. Apple spent 15 years refining their replacement for the laptop, and it's a touchscreen laptop that runs less software. You'd think that Apple would stop themselves after reinventing the 2013 Microsoft Surface. Then they reprised Hololens with Vision Pro - how was nobody paying attention to Microsoft's failures at Cupertino?
      - izacus 1y ago
        It's a touchscreen laptop that runs less software and somehow costs more than the actually great laptop they sell at similar size. That magic keyboard pricing is... woof.

general1465 1y ago

I have got Samsung S25 Edge which is essentially Samsung's version of iPhone 17 Air few months ago. Only thing (software wise) which has really been showed down my throat is Bixby and Gemini. No I don't want your stupid AI, get deleted. Other than that, I can't complain about anything.

tassadarforaiur 1y ago

I'm curious how quickly that trend will reverse when Google fulfills their promise to lock down sideloading on android. Samsung makes nice hardware, but their bloatware is infuriating. I spend a lot of time on every new device, using ADB to purge as many samsung apps as I can. I'm getting tired of doing it. Once I can't sideload anymore on android, my next phone will be an iphone.

thehappypm 1y ago
Very, very, very few consumers even know what sideloading is
asadotzler 1y ago
The trend, if there is one, will be effected in no measurable way when a few nerds bail because they can't remove Samsung's browser. By the way, outside of core phone features like Phone (dialer,) Settings, Camera, etc. you can disable or uninstall everything else without sideloading anything.
lawn 1y ago
Unfortunately, very few people care about sideloading. And for those who do, Apple has been blocking sideloading for years. The actual solution is to buy a phone that supports GrapheneOS. No bloatware, install what you want, and get top class security and privacy too.

dkobia 1y ago

I thought the idea of a folding phone was just a cash grab until I saw someone on the plane across the aisle from me interacting with one. It has been a while since I saw someone get so much enjoyment out of a device. The back and forth between folded and unfolded to read messages and watch movies/read a book was mesmerizing. It made me realize that this form factor could actually enhance the user experience in a meaningful way.

ZeroCool2u 1y ago
I genuinely think book reading is the killer app for foldable devices. A bigger screen for a movie or TV is nice to have, but not a game changer. When you have that much screen real estate you can get a really enjoyable experience reading a novel or just easily read a textbook or research paper in a way that's simply not possible on even the largest of what you might consider a typical size phone. Plus, you no longer need to deal with buying and maintaining a separate device like an iPad! This is why I suspect Apple is dragging its feet on the foldable category, besides letting the screen technology mature. It will probably cannibalize some sales from that market segment.
- kccqzy 1y ago
  Exactly. Apple is adding so much to iPadOS 26 (e.g. new windowing features) that it resembles the Mac. The next foldable iPhone will be like the iPadOS prior to version 26, so that Apple can make sure iPadOS remains more powerful than iOS.
- bjacobel 1y ago
  > Plus, you no longer need to deal with buying and maintaining a separate device like an iPad! I've found a much easier solution to this problem.
- leobg 1y ago
  What about book reading requires a large screen? I find my phone much more comfortable to hold than a book. It fits my hand. You only read one sentence at a time anyway. I rather scroll, keeping the current sentence in the middle of the screen than jump around with my eyes in an open book, and having to turn pages, or keeping them flat. Am I missing something? (Real question. I read a lot!)

beAbU 1y ago

Everyone is forgetting that Apple had a foldable phone in 2014/15

aakkaakk 1y ago
Lie.
- daemonologist 1y ago
  They're joking about "bendgate" (the iPhone 6 was not very rigid).
  - uncletaco 1y ago
    bendghazi*
beAbU 1y ago
Seems like people in this thread cant take a joke.

Night_Thastus 1y ago

I'll be totally honest, I do not get the appeal of foldable phones, at least with the designs I've seen so far. I guess you can unfold it to get a bigger 2-part screen? That's about it? I'd imagine that having it be un-foldable compromises the battery life, overall thickness (when folded) and weight to at least some extent - plus it costs way more. Is the additional screen real-estate really worth that?

torben-friis 1y ago
I could see it for older people. My mom and uncles all use extremely large font sizes, they’re barely able to see a whole text at once and they check pictures by traversing them while highly zoomed.
bee_rider 1y ago
I’d much rather have a screen that unfurls like a scroll.
pinkmuffinere 1y ago
It doesn’t appeal to me either, but I’ve often heard “functionality, taken to an extreme, becomes fashion”. I think that might be what’s happening here. There are _some_ cases in which you might want a foldable phone. But even if you don’t need it, a (good) foldable phone becomes a status symbol. See also: expensive mechanical watches, sports cars, bottles that hold temperature for 24 hours
bluGill 1y ago
If your eyes are young and you only use the phone alone. If you are older you need reading glasses for small screens. If you are showing a video to someone else you need a larger screen to see detail. of course not knowing you or your uses I can't say if any of this should matter to you. Still it seems like a nice idia not a fad. Only time will tell if people really want it once the fad is over.
bhelkey 1y ago
> it be un-foldable compromises the battery life, overall thickness (when folded) and weight to at least some extent Not as much as you would think. The Galaxy Fold 7 has a 6.5" outer screen (as compared to 6.3" screen in the iPhone 16 pro), is 8.9mm thick when folded (8.25mm in the iPhone 16 pro), has a 4400mAh battery (3,582 mAh in the iPhone 16 pro), and weighs 215g (199 grams for the iPhone 16 pro). > plus it costs way more The big downsides are price of $1999 launch price as compared to $999 launch price for the iphone 16 pro and durability. For durability, the foldable screens seem to be very soft making it easy to damage, say with a thumbnail.

_2d30 1y ago

This article seems a bit silly. If we look at Q3 and Q4 sales, I bet it shows Apple increasing its share of phones shipped. Comparing one company’s share in a quarter where they launch new devices to another company’s share when that company launched no new devices is, frankly, stupid.

baby 1y ago

I switched to Android last year, from being a long time iPhone user, just for the fold. I got the google pixel fold 9 pro. I also got lucky as it's right when all the cool AI integration started (and it sounds like it doesn't really work on Apple). My first hand experience is that I will probably never be able to go back to a non-folding phone. The ability to get a small tablet on demand anywhere (subway, train, bed, couch, etc.) is really the next technological breakthrough we were waiting for. I think the pricing and the battery kinda suck, android also doesn't have the same polish as iOS, but most of the criticism that I've read is not really relevant (for example, I can't see the crease at all if I look at my phone) I use it a lot to read PDFs and watch videos, or when U want to multi task with two apps open at the same time (e.g. filling forms with a pic of my passport on the other screen). I also read mangas from it. Oh and the ability to use the back camera for selfies while being able to see myself is so great I use that all the time.

wffurr 1y ago
>> android also doesn't have the same polish as iOS As someone who switched from using Android for many years to iOS for the iPhone Mini, this seems to be all about what you're used to. The lack of polish on iOS for many features, notifications and quick settings first among them, makes me crazy but not enough to deal with a huge phone. Android's had the notification shade with integrated settings since just about day one and it's a killer feature.
- lapetitejort 1y ago
  Riffing on a comment I saw on one of LinusTechTip's "Switch to Android/Apple" videos: phone users misinterpret familiarity with intuitiveness and polish. Android is "intuitive" to me because I've been using it more than a decade. It's "polished" because I'm blind to the rough edges.
  - abandonliberty 1y ago
    I was really surprised when I first got an iPhone. After all the hype about it being so intuitive and polished, it was just different. Some things better, some things worse. But Apple devices take a bit longer to go obsolete, and seem just a tiny bit less invasive as they don't rely on an advertising model for revenue.

vachina 1y ago

Foldables are a fad. Yeah, you can doomscroll with a bigger screen, but having to baby it? Also foldables, even when folded are bulkier. For whatever usecases for foldables, a tablet is more suitable.

jajuuka 1y ago
Believe it or not people use phones for different purposes. Some people carry phones in bags or purses where space not a not a big concern. Some people use their phones for work and a bigger screen is helpful in the process and for multitasking. Some people aren't rough with their phones either. A fad doesn't last this long. We are on year 7 of foldables available in the mainstream and sales and production are only increasing. Every major OEM has at least foldable or is releasing one soon. 3D TV's were fully dead in 7 years for context.

AlexandrB 1y ago

I just want smaller phones. Where did they all go?

jamesblonde 1y ago
They are now also foldable! Z Flip 7 - check it.

ge96 1y ago

The newest thin fold looks amazing but I can't justify a $2K phone idk maybe I'm just poor. Like I used to want a Lamborghini Aventador but now I just want a Lotus Exige. $300K seems too much too me but again is it a poor/mindset thing. I think a land would be better use of that money. Mindset as in levels... I used to be afraid of my $30K student debt while I was in school thinking getting an engineering job that pays $60K would be great but now I make more than that and my debt is also beyond $30K so yeah levels.

ajkjk 1y ago
lol, what is going on inside this comment, you're like whiplashing between having preferences and explaining why you should want fancy things but then actually you don't. like... it's completely okay to not want something expensive not because you're poor but because you just don't want to spend money on it; your preferences for what's worth money to you don't have to be justified to anyone else. Except for maybe your family. Personally I don't have any desire to buy any of those expensive things at all, because I don't even notice their existence, but that's just me. Seems better to be minimalistic. Similarly, to not have any debt, because why would you want to be more stressed and tied to a job than the minimum possible? But maybe it's different if your friends / social circle cares about shiny things or something.
- ge96 1y ago
  Yeah I'm working on the debt part The car thing I like driving fast/sporty cars, cheapest one for performance would be an older Corvette but yeah (not saying Lambo is performance, that one it's the looks, Exige though is both though different eg. acceleration/curve handling vs. top speed). I'm just saying, there was a guy I was talking to who owned a Lambo and he's like "if it went up in flames I'd be fine", it's like I have to get to that headspace or maybe I'm not built that way not sure But yeah I do go back and forward between wanting things/feeling guilty for being better off than others
  - ajkjk 1y ago
    It sounds like you're trying to feel what you're supposed to feel according to other people, and then feeling anxious about that's not how you actually feel? which sounds hard. I'm pretty sure the only way to be that makes any sense, however, is to feel what you actually feel, and if someone tries to make that seem wrong or bad, tell them (mentally or out loud) to fuck off. It's not possible to force yourself to feel differently than you feel--that's, like, what a feeling is. If something makes you think you should modify your feelings, it's wrong, like it's a complete category error; you can only react to them, not will them to change. Not that I don't fall in the same trap, but, y'know, it's an aspiration. and personally I'd judge the hell out of someone who owned a lambo and didn't care about it going up in flames. We get it, they want people to think they're so rich that they don't care about their own possessions. All I hear is a person try to say certain things in order to make you find them impressive.

phoenixhab 1y ago

BUT WHY? It costs 2000 dollars and folds in half. So what? What's the difference?

skc 1y ago

I was sceptical about this for factor seeing as it seemed like a gimmicky throwback to the early to mid 2000s. But honestly, now that I've played around with Samsungs offerings I get it. Back in the day phones had quite a bit of personality, and Samsung really nailed that aspect.

ChrisMarshallNY 1y ago

Most of the foldables I’ve seen around here, are the new Razr phones. I think they are pretty cool. Haven’t seen many, though. I’ve only seen one Samsung.

commandersaki 1y ago

Just incase people were confused like me, this article is a bit dated and published Aug 16th.

kingkongjaffa 1y ago

Call me old fashioned but I hope Apple always keeps the iphone without folding, and always keeps ipad. I love both devices for different things, I don’t want them smushed together.

EnjoyTheRaunch 1y ago

[dead]

DonHopkins 1y ago

Do they have a hinge monitor so you can make them fart when you fold and unfold them?

soneca 1y ago

I definitely did not see that coming. In my mind, foldable phones were the 3D TV of the phones. Interesting development though. Nice to see something that is both cool looking and, apparently, useful getting traction.

corn13read2 1y ago

Apple is probably baffled as to why 10 generations of foldable by the competition my set them back some. I guarantee one day Apple will figure out how to put touch in a laptop and it will be world changing </s> I can’t name a single real iPhone innovation in a decade.

vesche 1y ago

I bought a zfold 7 about a month ago, it has been without a doubt the coolest new device I have purchased in many years. It's unbelievably thin, if you use it in normal phone mode you can't even tell that it's a fold. I have installed so many fun apps. I downloaded Mihon which is a manga/comic reader and I've read the first 10 volumes of Berserk, it's such a great experience reading manga on the fold screen. I also got NetherSX2 which is a PS2 emulator, it's insane to me that a phone can emulate PS2 games perfectly, I played thru a good bit of Kingdom Hearts one night with a Switch controller connected via bluetooth. I also downloaded ReadEra and have read some of the Malazan fantasy series on the device. I can play Oldschool Runescape while watching YouTube videos at the same time. I have RVNC viewer and have used it to connect to a Linux system downstairs to manage one of my systems. The split keyboard on fold mode is super easy and fast to type on, I'm using it right now to send this message. The web browsing experience is great because unlike iPhone, I can have uBlock origin and desktop mode websites look great on the fold screen. Having both a phone and tablet in your pocket is phenomenal. I don't think I can go back at this point. Apple knows this, which is imo why the rumor is the new iPhone 17 will have a fold option for a higher price. If you think it's gimmicky, you haven't tried it yet.

deleted 1y ago

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ookblah 1y ago

the fold 7 genuinely made me want to get a foldable for the first time, was that sleek. if it wasn't for being captive to the apple ecosystem i would strongly consider it (and may do so). i think with agentic coding now my ideal setup would be to be able to walk away and remote in from my heavy desktop/laptop w/ just my phone and check in on stuff and do some light work, etc. obviously i would still have my laptop but i wouldn't have to lug it around everywhere.

user34283 1y ago
I gave that a try, but it wasn't particularly economic. I considered buying a keyboard for this case. I then decided against it. Probably carrying a MacBook Air makes more sense if I want to get work done on the go. That said, I'm happy with my new Pixel 9 PF. It's better than the iPhone 16 Pro Max. I also own various Apple devices, but I can't say there's any ecosystem integration I particularly miss. Instead of iCloud I just use Google Drive now. I can still do facetime calls on my Mac. Also I continue to use the Home app on the iPhone.

zmmmmm 1y ago

It's funny now that Apple is speculated to have a foldable phone on the drawing board, I can hear in real time all the tech "journalists" swinging their viewpoints around from considering it a joke to saying what a good idea it is and how they can't wait for it. Some of them already talking like Apple invented it, before they even have a product. Seems like Apple still has the reality distortion field.

fennecbutt 1y ago

I love the idea of them, but I just can't trust the basically plastic surface of them. Scratches/dents too easily. I mean there's only Samsung and LG in the display space basically, one of them will solve it but...not quite yet.

davedx 1y ago

Honestly the OnePlus 13 is looking better than either the iPhone or Samsungs to me. It’s a great time to be in the market for a new smartphone!

Liftyee 1y ago

At some point when second-hand folding phones decrease in cost I'd like to get one as a second device just as a compact pocketable datasheet/PDF reader for engineering/electronics work. I think having a tablet sized screen without the bulk would be a huge bonus. I recently tried an old industrial head-mounted display (Realwear HMT-1), but the display resolution is not good.

exabrial 1y ago

Try introducing a memory card slot… and a headphone jack. Then you’ll really sail past them.

ubermonkey 1y ago

I still do not understand the appeal of a folding phone. I mean, phones are solid devices now, and they work for years upon years if you don't have some kind of mishap. Putting a hinge in the display 100% is creating a weak point in that display. It's very likely going to reduce lifespan for an expensive device. I get gadgetlust, sure, but is it more that that? The other thing is that even if I wanted a folding display, it wouldn't be enough to get me to jump platforms.

chiph 1y ago
I think there are two factors that drive the purchase. Primarily - it's a status symbol. I am reminded of the scene with Paul Allen's business card... But also that it's useful when you want a larger display surface in a more portable form. Like watching films on an airplane or reading documents without having to constantly swipe & zoom. I agree with the other poster(s) that Apple is likely working on a folding model, even though it would sabotage sales of some iPad models.
- sdoering 1y ago
  I know quite a few older people who started to cherish them, as they now have the real estate to finally feel at home on a mobile device they can just easily take with them. Tablets were great, just less portable. So for quite a relevant segment it seems to become an enabling form factor. There are just people who seem to be basing everything on their own use case. I have neither interest nor need for a fold-able phone. But I can totally get why it is not only interesting, but actually useful to people in different circumstances.

easeout 1y ago

People who have them love them. I think there's truth to the idea that iPhone Air is a stepping stone to a foldable with thin halves.

nancyminusone 1y ago

I still don't think I'll ever be able to trust a foldable phone. Doesn't matter how many videos you show me of "look, we folded it 200,000 times and it didn't break!", I've repaired enough broken wires and accidentally broken enough ribbon cables to want those things as far from my pocket as possible.