this post was submitted on 31 Mar 2025
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Global foldable smartphone shipments increased by just 2.9% YoY in 2024, and shipments are expected to decline by about 4% YoY in 2025. (www.counterpointresearch.com)
submitted 2 days ago by Tea@programming.dev to c/technology@lemmy.world
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[โ€“] DJDarren@sopuli.xyz 2 points 1 day ago

Mr Mobile talked about this in his review of Oppo's Find N5.

Essentially, while the product is great and folding phones are finding more utility, the price is still prohibitively high.

I upgraded to a Pixel 9 a few months ago because I specifically wanted to run GrapheneOS. I did considered a Pixel Fold, but really couldn't justify the extra cost. Maybe next time though...

[โ€“] FunnyUsername@lemmy.world 13 points 2 days ago (2 children)

the problem with my NORMAL smartphone is it is TOO MUCH SCREEN. the bezels are so narrow i cant even grip it like a normal object without triggering touches on the screen sides. all buttons have been stripped off for over a decade now and you cannot hold it from the back without glueing an object on the back of your case. i can only reach 50% of my samsung phone screen with my thumb while holding it with one hand, making it a two handed device most of the time already. why in THE WORLD would i want my phone screen BIGGER?? honestly, why? the only thing I can think of is long commutes on a bus? but you can bring tablets... ๐Ÿคทโ€โ™‚๏ธ

[โ€“] iopq@lemmy.world 3 points 1 day ago

Because the front screen on my pixel fold is actually smaller

[โ€“] kn33@lemmy.world 5 points 1 day ago

I think the idea is that for one, the front screen can be smaller and more easily used because the main screen is bigger. On the other hand, the main screen is bigger, allowing it to act as a tablet without having to carry a second device. On top of all that, it still fits in your pocket.

[โ€“] Opinionhaver@feddit.uk 17 points 2 days ago (4 children)

I've never seen the point of a folding phone other than as a gimmick you show off to your friends.

[โ€“] iopq@lemmy.world 1 points 1 day ago

When you need to read a Wikipedia table but it's way too big for the phone screen without scrolling sideways or zooming so far you can't read it

[โ€“] moonlight@fedia.io 10 points 2 days ago (1 children)

The flip style ones are pretty useless other than getting a preview on the main cameras.

The fold style, especially a trifold, seems pretty useful, and lets you basically carry around a decent size tablet in your pocket.

I definitely wouldn't call it a gimmick, although the price and durability tradeoffs are nowhere near worth it for 99% of people.

[โ€“] TacticalCheddar@lemm.ee 5 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago)

As someone who had a Samsung Flip3, I miss how easy it was to carry it around. It didn't feel like a brick that I had to take out of my pocket every time I needed to check my notifications. It was also surprisingly durable. Price is the main downside of these phones.

There's a fair chance I'll buy another one in the future if I have enough money when switching phones.

[โ€“] Ledericas@lemm.ee 6 points 2 days ago (1 children)

just like the curved screen gimmick, newer models have abandoned it largely, because the cost of fixxing one that is prone to breaking, plus screen protectors have a hard time cover the curved areas.

[โ€“] pineapplelover@lemm.ee 3 points 2 days ago

Linus tech tips did an Android 30 day challenge trying to convert apple users and one of them said the foldable phone was nice because it actually fit in their pockets and belongings. Eventually they still stuck with their iphone because they're too dependent on the ecosystem though.

[โ€“] _synack@sh.itjust.works 8 points 2 days ago

I think their cost is a huge barrier to entry for most people.

[โ€“] azl@lemmy.sdf.org 15 points 2 days ago (1 children)

I've had a folding Samsung for the past year and it's really great. The hardware and software do need time to mature (in fact, the phone is nearly useless in "folded" mode without third-party apps), but at this point I don't think I could go back.

[โ€“] pycorax@lemmy.world 5 points 2 days ago (1 children)

What makes you say the phone is useless in folded mode? I had the Fold 3 and 6 and I never really found the front screen to be an issue. If anything, I found it more usable than regular slab phones because of how narrow it is, it makes one handed usage so easy.

[โ€“] InvertedParallax@lemm.ee 2 points 2 days ago (1 children)

I had the 3, it is so insanely fucking narrow.

Like using an iPhone 4 or something.

The pixel fold I have now is great, usable in both form factors.

[โ€“] pycorax@lemmy.world 1 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Did you set it to a higher zoom level or do you have large hands? The Fold 6 i have now is honestly already way too big for me and I personally wished they kept the size of the Fold 3 and just made the bezels smaller.

[โ€“] InvertedParallax@lemm.ee 0 points 2 days ago (1 children)

I have normal sized hands, I just love huge screens and can single handed text on most, I used the note series since forever except when I went LG.

But reddit canceled their api and trying to use Firefox for it sucked major ass, the vroser version of the site is barely usable at all but damn if I was going to use their Spyware app.

[โ€“] pycorax@lemmy.world 2 points 2 days ago (1 children)

You can try using a Revanced-patched version of the 3rd party apps. I'm using it with Boost and it still works fine.

[โ€“] InvertedParallax@lemm.ee 1 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) (1 children)

I know, but im at an age that micromanaging all my phone apps just isn't fun anymore, I jailbroke my first iPhone 3g and that was a nightmare, I try to stick to stuff that won't break much.

In any case, I have a working methadone for reddit, and as lemmy gets more popular I'm finding myself less and less dependent on it.

Thanks for the tip, I should have tried it earlier I think.

[โ€“] pycorax@lemmy.world 2 points 2 days ago

I get what you mean, still it's a 5-10 mins thing which virtually works forever that might save you more pain in future, just in case it might seem like it's too much of a hassle.

[โ€“] HarryOru@lemm.ee 6 points 2 days ago

I'm interested in getting a foldable eventually, but I think it's still too soon and too costly.

[โ€“] humanspiral@lemmy.ca 1 points 2 days ago

Having 2 phones is much better in every use case, IMO.