Other Apple is last to the foldables market in the US.

[NeonNights]

The notch is away from your content. The crease is not. Big difference. It's hard to ignore the crease when it's in the damn center of the display, and in the Z Flip's case slowly getting bigger with more use. Plus you can feel said crease everytime you touch the display, you know, THE MAIN THING ABOUT A PHONE.

The crease is there, I'm not denying that, but you don't feel it nearly as often as you're imagining. When unfolded, whether left- or right-handed, your thumb or finger tends to naturally swipe along the outer third of the screen, not directly down the middle like on a narrower slab phone. Multiple windows are split down the middle or in quadrants, so you're gesturing in either the left or right half of the display, again not feeling the crease.

When I dynamically resize a window or do a hand-gesture completely across the display for a screenshot then I'll feel the crease, but that's not a constant motion where you have to fear coming in contact with the crease. In practical use it really is a nonfactor but everyone still likes to base their discord of foldables on the crease. I initially was concerned about the crease too before buying the Fold 4 but read so many comments from owners saying the issue is overblown, and they were all right. Classic case of making a mountain out of a molehill.

The new dynamic island isn't without its faults. The pill absolutely stands out when not dynamic (even more so than the notch).

 

[kitKAC]

The new dynamic island isn't without its faults. The pill absolutely stands out when not dynamic (even more so than the notch).

The Island only appears like that when the content is zoomed in, by default the content stops at the Island (just like it does at the Notch).

 

[OneBar]

True, the Mini 6 is the sole iPad in a different 3:2 aspect ratio. When you say "there's nothing useful in a giant 4:3 screen" it hasn't stopped people from buying literally hundreds of millions of Apple tablets for everyday use.

Tim in 2020:
View attachment 2196992

On an iPad it has more uses than on a folding phone that's half the size. Unless you could open and use multiple apps at once on that large screen, it's really of no use other than making videos possibly a little larger.

 

[Jamie0003]

Yeah, there’s a reason for that. Are any actually any good? Last time I looked into it they have a crease down the middle of the screen. No thanks

 

[NeonNights]

The Island only appears like that when the content is zoomed in, by default the content stops at the Island (just like it does at the Notch).

So you're saying by default the user has less screen area.

On an iPad it has more uses than on a folding phone that's half the size. Unless you could open and use multiple apps at once on that large screen, it's really of no use other than making videos possibly a little larger.

On the Fold 4 you can use multiple apps and windows concurrently, or dedicate the entire screen to watching videos or reading an ebook. If you've ever taken a Teams or Zoom call on an iPhone Pro Max then you know it's impossible to read anything that's shared onscreen in the meeting, such as a document, PowerPoint, or Excel spreadsheet and takes a lot of zooming and scrolling around to make it work. I unfold the Fold 4 and can easily see everything that's shared and participate in the meeting without missing a beat.

I get that not everyone needs (or wants) a foldable, but the myriad of reasons of why "foldables suck" are a rehash of 1st-gen criticisms. The post above still refers to the dreaded crease when it's explained over and over why it is paranoia at its finest (#227). The current gen of foldables is pretty dang good and will get better still. I am not a fan of all foldables though and don't think the Flip line makes sense -- a compact makeup form factor that unfolds...to a slab phone. The Fold 4 gives me versatility with two usable display sizes in a pocketable, easy to one-hand form factor.

I think the one still valid knock against foldables is higher price, but the Fold 4 was cheaper for me (and lighter to carry around) than a combination of iPhone 13 Pro and an iPad Mini.

 

[RedTheReader]

There's nothing useful in having a giant 4:3 screen.

My heart can’t handle such high levels of iPad slander! 😫

 

[Spaceboi Scaphandre]

The crease is there, I'm not denying that, but you don't feel it nearly as often as you're imagining. When unfolded, whether left- or right-handed, your thumb or finger tends to naturally swipe along the outer third of the screen, not directly down the middle like on a narrower slab phone. Multiple windows are split down the middle or in quadrants, so you're gesturing in either the left or right half of the display, again not feeling the crease.

My coworker has a Z Flip 4. I felt it just running my finger in a swiping motion. It is very noticeable.

When I dynamically resize a window or do a hand-gesture completely across the display for a screenshot then I'll feel the crease, but that's not a constant motion where you have to fear coming in contact with the crease. In practical use it really is a nonfactor but everyone still likes to base their discord of foldables on the crease. I initially was concerned about the crease too before buying the Fold 4 but read so many comments from owners saying the issue is overblown, and they were all right. Classic case of making a mountain out of a molehill.

"The issue is overblown and they were all right."

Flip Z broken again along the fold.

The phone was purchased through Vodafone in may 2020. Kept in great condition and after 6 months of use, boom. The screen just burst along the join between the top and bottom. Didnt think that much of it being a new technology etc.. Off it went to Samsung, no questions asked just repaired and...

eu.community.samsung.com

AT&T - Device Protection and Warranty Information. Fix or replace a lost, stolen, or broken device

Lost or stolen phone? Cracked screen or broken phone? Device not working properly? Get your answers to common warranty and device protection issues here.

forums.att.com

https://www.reddit.com/r/galaxyzflip/comments/10e778p

Here’s how much it costs to fix a Z Fold 3 or Z Flip 3 with a broken screen

The cost to fix a cracked foldable.

www.theverge.com

The new dynamic island isn't without its faults. The pill absolutely stands out when not dynamic (even more so than the notch).
View attachment 2197002

Whataboutism, by default the content is under the pill and doesn't cover it unless you choose to zoom in, and more importantly, I DON'T NEED TO WORRY ABOUT MY DISPLAY BREAKING FROM THE PILL. With that crease, it's gonna get bigger and eventually break, it always does.

 

[257Loner]

By ignoring foldable phones until 2025 at the earliest, Apple is missing out on the main trend of smartphones, which is their increase in screen size. Smartphones have consistently increased in screen size since the BlackBerry to the modern day folding smartphone. As this chart below shows, smartphone screens keep getting bigger. Apple needs to pay attention lest they get left behind again.

Screen comparisons:
2007 original iPhone had a 124.14% larger screen area than the 2006 BlackBerry Pearl 8100.
2022 Apple iPhone 14 Pro has a 150.41% larger screen area than the original iPhone.
2023 Google Pixel Fold's inner screen has a 100.64% larger screen area than the 2022 Apple iPhone 14 Pro.

 

[NeonNights]

My coworker has a Z Flip 4. I felt it just running my finger in a swiping motion. It is very noticeable.



"The issue is overblown and they were all right."

Flip Z broken again along the fold.

The phone was purchased through Vodafone in may 2020. Kept in great condition and after 6 months of use, boom. The screen just burst along the join between the top and bottom. Didnt think that much of it being a new technology etc.. Off it went to Samsung, no questions asked just repaired and...

eu.community.samsung.com

AT&T - Device Protection and Warranty Information. Fix or replace a lost, stolen, or broken device

Lost or stolen phone? Cracked screen or broken phone? Device not working properly? Get your answers to common warranty and device protection issues here.

forums.att.com

https://www.reddit.com/r/galaxyzflip/comments/10e778p

Here’s how much it costs to fix a Z Fold 3 or Z Flip 3 with a broken screen

The cost to fix a cracked foldable.

www.theverge.com

Whataboutism, by default the content is under the pill and doesn't cover it unless you choose to zoom in, and more importantly, I DON'T NEED TO WORRY ABOUT MY DISPLAY BREAKING FROM THE PILL. With that crease, it's gonna get bigger and eventually break, it always does.

As I wrote earlier:

" I am not a fan of all foldables though and don't think the Flip line makes sense -- a compact makeup form factor that unfolds...to a slab phone."

The Fold 4 is leagues better than the Flip and you rarely become aware of the crease on the Fold 4.

On another note, why would the crease "grow"? It is designed to fold like a book repeatedly. The early versions were definitely fragile and cracked due to dust or sand getting beneath the glass. The Fold 4 is much improved in several areas and I've taken it to beaches in California and Cancun without issue.

 

[tech8mate]

Don’t like it folding phones though.

 

[257Loner]

With that crease, it's gonna get bigger and eventually break, it always does.

I agree that durability is an issue that needs to be taken seriously. One way to address this problem is through a good warranty. This Android Authority article from 2022 states that Samsung Care+ has reduced the deductible to replace a foldable screen of a smartphone under warranty to $29, which is equivalent to AppleCare+'s $29 replacement fee for a broken screen.

However, Samsung Care+ only offers coverage for your phone for up to 3 years. This is an excellent opportunity for an Apple iPhone Fold to shine thanks to AppleCare+'s superior coverage which "may continue beyond 24 or 36 months, on a monthly or annual basis, until canceled."

So if you already use AppleCare+ throughout the life of your iPhone, you have nothing to worry about if the screen breaks.

 

[BostonQuad]

For all I know, foldable phones and tablets may be the future. But they're not the present, and won't be until they get better. There are rumors that Apple is exploring foldables. If true, Apple is not ignoring this direction. Seems to me Apple is being true to form here, as it's not like Apple to rush to market an immature technology.

 

[DeepIn2U]

Google is releasing a foldable whose images have been leaked.
Samsung is on their 4th-generation foldable.
Even Microsoft has a kind of foldable for sale.

Thanks to Google's new foldable, there will now be 3 foldables available in the US from major tech companies, and Apple, the inventor of the modern smartphone, will not be among them. I know Tim Cook is the "most successful CEO ever" when measured by the increase in his company's market capitalization, but it's embarrassing that the inventor of the modern smartphone was beaten to foldables by the competition.

Nokia, Oppo, OnePlus, Motorola, etc ... MANY have yet to release - officially to the USA market a foldable.

Hyperbole?

 

[DeepIn2U]

I agree that durability is an issue that needs to be taken seriously. One way to address this problem is through a good warranty. This Android Authority article from 2022 states that Samsung Care+ has reduced the deductible to replace a foldable screen of a smartphone under warranty to $29, which is equivalent to AppleCare+'s $29 replacement fee for a broken screen.

However, Samsung Care+ only offers coverage for your phone for up to 3 years. This is an excellent opportunity for an Apple iPhone Fold to shine thanks to AppleCare+'s superior coverage which "may continue beyond 24 or 36 months, on a monthly or annual basis, until canceled."

So if you already use AppleCare+ throughout the life of your iPhone, you have nothing to worry about if the screen breaks.

Have a look at Oppo's testing and standards - over and above Samsungs foldable as well as a better teardrop design than the Motorola RAZR 2022.

Find N2
Find N2 Flip.

 

[T'hain Esh Kelch]

By ignoring foldable phones until 2025 at the earliest, Apple is missing out on the main trend of smartphones, which is their increase in screen size. Smartphones have consistently increased in screen size since the BlackBerry to the modern day folding smartphone. As this chart below shows, smartphone screens keep getting bigger. Apple needs to pay attention lest they get left behind again.

View attachment 2197151
Screen comparisons:
2007 Apple iPhone's screen has 124.14% larger area than 2006 BlackBerry Pearl 8100's screen.
2022 Apple iPhone 14 Pro's screen has 150.41% larger area than 2007 Apple iPhone's screen.
2023 Google Pixel Fold's inner screen has 100.64% larger area than 2022 Apple iPhone 14 Pro's screen.

Whoever calculated those percentages should get their math money back. Like 125% of them.

Edit: 257Loner wrote me a very friendly message, and showed me that he is indeed correct. I will be getting my math money back!

 

[Spaceboi Scaphandre]

I agree that durability is an issue that needs to be taken seriously. One way to address this problem is through a good warranty. This Android Authority article from 2022 states that Samsung Care+ has reduced the deductible to replace a foldable screen of a smartphone under warranty to $29, which is equivalent to AppleCare+'s $29 replacement fee for a broken screen.

However, Samsung Care+ only offers coverage for your phone for up to 3 years. This is an excellent opportunity for an Apple iPhone Fold to shine thanks to AppleCare+'s superior coverage which "may continue beyond 24 or 36 months, on a monthly or annual basis, until canceled."

So if you already use AppleCare+ throughout the life of your iPhone, you have nothing to worry about if the screen breaks.

Bro…I don’t use AppleCare, no one arounds me use AppleCare

And we shouldn’t need to pay a warranty to fix bad design. It’s the same argument I heard in regards to the Butterfly Keyboard

 

[throAU]

Google is releasing a foldable whose images have been leaked.
Samsung is on their 4th-generation foldable.
Even Microsoft has a kind of foldable for sale.

Thanks to Google's new foldable, there will now be 3 foldables available in the US from major tech companies, and Apple, the inventor of the modern smartphone, will not be among them. I know Tim Cook is the "most successful CEO ever" when measured by the increase in his company's market capitalization, but it's embarrassing that the inventor of the modern smartphone was beaten to foldables by the competition.

Microsoft has abandoned the Duo and the rest have yet to convince the market that the device solves any particular problem.

Being last to something that isn't solving a problem yet is nothing worry about.

Apple will do what they normally do - release something once it is actually useful.

 

[throAU]

The especially large Chinese market will, due to their preference for large-screen phones. According to BusinessInsider, "For many Chinese, the phone is also the first, the most important, or even the only computing device they own. "People just use them for more, and therefore appreciate the bigger screen," said Frank Gillett, an analyst at technology research firm Forrester."

I think far more useful than a folding phone would be one that can project onto a wall.

*shrug*

 

[OneBar]

My heart can’t handle such high levels of iPad slander! 😫

But you gotta admit 4:2 would be better

 

[OneBar]

By ignoring foldable phones until 2025 at the earliest, Apple is missing out on the main trend of smartphones, which is their increase in screen size. Smartphones have consistently increased in screen size since the BlackBerry to the modern day folding smartphone. As this chart below shows, smartphone screens keep getting bigger. Apple needs to pay attention lest they get left behind again.

View attachment 2197151
Screen comparisons:
2007 Apple iPhone's screen has 124.14% larger area than 2006 BlackBerry Pearl 8100's screen.
2022 Apple iPhone 14 Pro's screen has 150.41% larger area than 2007 Apple iPhone's screen.
2023 Google Pixel Fold's inner screen has 100.64% larger area than 2022 Apple iPhone 14 Pro's screen.

Trends with manufacturers are not trends with customers. There is no customer cry for folding iPhones. Ergo they don't care about making them.

 

[OneBar]

So you're saying by default the user has less screen area.

On the Fold 4 you can use multiple apps and windows concurrently, or dedicate the entire screen to watching videos or reading an ebook. If you've ever taken a Teams or Zoom call on an iPhone Pro Max then you know it's impossible to read anything that's shared onscreen in the meeting, such as a document, PowerPoint, or Excel spreadsheet and takes a lot of zooming and scrolling around to make it work. I unfold the Fold 4 and can easily see everything that's shared and participate in the meeting without missing a beat.

I get that not everyone needs (or wants) a foldable, but the myriad of reasons of why "foldables suck" are a rehash of 1st-gen criticisms. The post above still refers to the dreaded crease when it's explained over and over why it is paranoia at its finest (#227). The current gen of foldables is pretty dang good and will get better still. I am not a fan of all foldables though and don't think the Flip line makes sense -- a compact makeup form factor that unfolds...to a slab phone. The Fold 4 gives me versatility with two usable display sizes in a pocketable, easy to one-hand form factor.

I think the one still valid knock against foldables is higher price, but the Fold 4 was cheaper for me (and lighter to carry around) than a combination of iPhone 13 Pro and an iPad Mini.

No I don't do business meetings on a mobile device. I have a computer and webcam for that. I've seen Fold 4s in the wild that are creased and one that has already busted from use. No matter how good the screen is, it's still not something that is meant to fold repeatedly without damage. Honestly the only solution I can see is a scroll type setup like from the movie Red Planet where the whole screen is rolled up in a tube and never folded.

 

[Lounge vibes 05]

I think far more useful than a folding phone would be one that can project onto a wall.

*shrug*

Probably won’t surprise you in the slightest, but Samsung tried that as well.

Samsung Galaxy Beam review: stay for the projector, but nothing more

With a seemingly endless stream of flagship phones hitting the market before the holiday season, it can be easy to forget some of the other devices that play a more niche audience. The Samsung Galaxy Beam definitely belongs in this category, as it includes a built-in Texas Instruments DLP pico...

www.engadget.com

 

[NeonNights]

I think far more useful than a folding phone would be one that can project onto a wall.

*shrug*

There were a handful of phones in the past with Pico projectors. Seemed an extremely limited use case, especially in bright environments.

No I don't do business meetings on a mobile device. I have a computer and webcam for that. I've seen Fold 4s in the wild that are creased and one that has already busted from use. No matter how good the screen is, it's still not something that is meant to fold repeatedly without damage. Honestly the only solution I can see is a scroll type setup like from the movie Red Planet where the whole screen is rolled up in a tube and never folded.

You don't take work/business calls ever on a phone? In today's world, with the state of tech and all that computational power in a smartphone, it's a waste not to utilize a phone's full capabilities. Taking a Zoom or Teams meeting on my mobile is a lot more common nowadays since the pandemic. It is just an extension of doing FaceTime, and is a whole lot easier on a larger foldable screen. And it's not just for work/business.

Our kid's school has meetings sometimes where you can attend in-person or virtually online. We can't always physically make it to the meeting but appreciate being able to connect through Zoom when we're away from home. My wife prefers to do the Zoom meeting in my foldable than her iPhone for obvious reasons.

There are some prototype rollables but the mechanisms are slow and more delicate than today's foldable design. Amazing what's being imagined with flexible glass, such as a wearable display that wraps around your wrist for a more elegant smartwatch. A pretty expensive fashion statement if it comes to market but just the engineering is impressive to me.

 

[monstermash]

You don't take work/business calls ever on a phone? In today's world, with the state of tech and all that computational power in a smartphone, it's a waste not to utilize a phone's full capabilities. Taking a Zoom or Teams meeting on my mobile is a lot more common nowadays since the pandemic. It is just an extension of doing FaceTime, and is a whole lot easier on a larger foldable screen. And it's not just for work/business.

Our kid's school has meetings sometimes where you can attend in-person or virtually online. We can't always physically make it to the meeting but appreciate being able to connect through Zoom when we're away from home. My wife prefers to do the Zoom meeting in my foldable than her iPhone for obvious reasons.

My employer issued me an iPhone Xr. I don't use it because the screen is too small. It sits in my desk, unused, uncharged and unloved.

I use my iPhone 14. I can't use it for Teams unless I allow my employer to install MDM software on it and take over my phone. Screw that.

I did move my work # to my own phone though (yes, employer approved). I also use my own phone as a login authenticator. But I can't use it for Teams. So, hey, I don't use Teams on my phone. Great move, employer!!

The odds of my employer issuing folding phones when cheaper phones are available: 0.

I can do Zoom for school and other purposes on my phone. And I do. I don't find the screen size to be a hinderance.

As a side note - my wife probably drops her phone at least 5x/day. No way is she getting a folding phone.

 

[257Loner]

Bro…I don’t use AppleCare, no one arounds me use AppleCare

I wouldn't recommend buying an expensive smartphone, such as the iPhone Pro, Pro Max, "Ultra", or Fold, without an AppleCare+ warranty. Whichever one you buy, those are too expensive not to back up with a warranty.

And we shouldn’t need to pay a warranty to fix bad design. It’s the same argument I heard in regards to the Butterfly Keyboard

To your second point I would add that by the time Apple makes an iPhone Fold, which Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo says won't come until 2025 at the earliest, you're not going to see an iPhone Fold suffering from bad design. The latest foldable phones have improved in durability since the first ones went on sale, and the technology is going to keep getting better before the iPhone Fold debuts.