Phones Folding phones the next frontier

[The_Interloper]

And I'm huge proponent of taking advantage of all it has to offer (don't really use DeX as much)... from the S-Pen, multitasking and Good Lock. I can't see myself going to a different device. And the GWU is more of an extension to my Fold 6... for notifications, voice assistant particular for smart home, being able to control media playback and fitness tracking. I don't really dive heavy into the apps... I like the battery life and the bigger screen.

I'm curious what are you struggling with?

I think as much as I like the Fold I’m having a hard time with the watch aspects. I’m finding the battery life (2ish days max with AOD) and general fit/finish of the GWU to be a notch below the AWU but it pains me to stick with an iPhone just because of the Watch.

That being said, I’m also finding iOS/iPadOS to be increasingly limiting, especially on my iPad Air which really shouldn’t be such a restrictive platform. It’s using the same SOC as a Mac. Using Firefox with full uBlock and extension support on the Fold is a revelation.

The Fold itself is a way more innovative device than iPhone. The utility and customisability is next-level. I guess my trepidation revolves more around “breaking” my Apple ecosystem by replacing such fundamental elements of it. The walls of the garden are high and the lock-in is real!

 

[SteveJUAE]

Well, I've been on the Galaxy Fold series since the 2nd generation (skip the 3rd and 5th)... so I embrace the whole foldable technology.

I tend to have my outer display geared for on-the-go or quick glance... don't really stay on it much. I like being able to unfold the device and get a different experience... given that we can customize the outer and inner display, it's nice feature for me.

And I'm huge proponent of taking advantage of all it has to offer (don't really use DeX as much)... from the S-Pen, multitasking and Good Lock. I can't see myself going to a different device. And the GWU is more of an extension to my Fold 6... for notifications, voice assistant particular for smart home, being able to control media playback and fitness tracking. I don't really dive heavy into the apps... I like the battery life and the bigger screen.

I'm curious what are you struggling with?

Ditto on all of the above except I have had all Folds 1 to 6 and my GWU is a recent change from my Classic GW

It's the empowerment that comes with options on Android/Samsung that makes it my primary device. My Flip 5 is my work phone for logging on and my IP16P is just a backup for fun.

 

[Ludatyk]

I think as much as I like the Fold I’m having a hard time with the watch aspects. I’m finding the battery life (2ish days max with AOD) and general fit/finish of the GWU to be a notch below the AWU but it pains me to stick with an iPhone just because of the Watch.

2ish days max seems reasonable to me… I’m able to sleep with it. And when I shower (if the battery is low), I take it off for it to charge.

I think the look of it is more of a subjective thing, don’t get me wrong I like the functional aspect of the AWU… because there’s more information displayed on the screen. But I also like the look of a traditional (circular) watch with the GWU… my only issue is Samsung going with the squircle design.

Which I can somehow understand the design… packing a larger battery inside and the look of it is kind of growing on me. Picked up two bands… I’d end up collecting more during Black Friday/Cyber Monday. And I actually tried to use the AWU standalone… it’s possible using it under the Family Plan feature. But it’s severely limited.

That being said, I’m also finding iOS/iPadOS to be increasingly limiting, especially on my iPad Air which really shouldn’t be such a restrictive platform. It’s using the same SOC as a Mac. Using Firefox with full uBlock and extension support on the Fold is a revelation.

I have the M4 iPad Pro and I do agree you get more freedom using the Fold, but iPadOS is not as limited as you are suggesting. There are extension support for Safari on the iPad and Shortcuts app help to get more out of it. I like having both the Fold and iPad combination... it's the best experience for me.

The Fold itself is a way more innovative device than iPhone. The utility and customisability is next-level. I guess my trepidation revolves more around “breaking” my Apple ecosystem by replacing such fundamental elements of it. The walls of the garden are high and the lock-in is real!

Certainly more innovative device than the iPhone... given the folding technology behind it. But I'd never abandon the Apple Ecosystem... still use  TV, iPad and Mac.

But one thing for sure... I don't envision going back to the iPhone.

Ditto on all of the above except I have had all Folds 1 to 6 and my GWU is a recent change from my Classic GW

It's the empowerment that comes with options on Android/Samsung that makes it my primary device. My Flip 5 is my work phone for logging on and my IP16P is just a backup for fun.

I'm curious how does the 3 phone daily setup work? Do you carry all of them in a bag?

 

[SteveJUAE]

At last I got one 😃

View attachment 2450670

Got the stap changed much better especially if you have skinny wrists

 

[SteveJUAE]

I'm curious how does the 3 phone daily setup work? Do you carry all of them in a bag?

Nope lol

My F6 is my main and goes everywhere with me

My Flip 5 i only use for work 2fa email and teams etc and only carry it when travelling as I WFH mainly

The IP16P is just an indulgence, FOMO , backup and general Apple stuff as I have 2 Macbook Pros a 16 and 14 running Parallels and it seldom leaves home

On a side note as I travel often I can't overstate how useful Samsung AI implementation of translation is. I have many chats per day in Thai and even hols ordering a local taxi via WhatsApp is possible and saves $$$

 

[Ludatyk]

Got the stap changed much better especially if you have skinny wrists

I have the same band... but I'd end up getting more white bands to match the design of mine.

 

[hockeyfan81]

 

[Tulani]

Flossy verdict is out

 

[Ludatyk]

Anyone having issues keeping their Buds3 Pro securely in place... should try these. And they come in 3 different sizes as well.

I no longer have to worry about mine falling out, they work perfectly!

 

[bakron1]

I was a BlackBerry user in early days and also had the original Nexus line of Android phones which I enjoyed rooting and flashing custom ROM’s back in the day.

Then with the demise of Blackberry I went all in on Apple and the iPhone, but now I have been looking into the foldable devices and if I where to go that route I would probably go with Samsung.

I was wondering about the durability on the folding screen over a year or two period and do most of the current mart media apps support the foldable screen format? Any input would be appreciated.

 

[Tulani]

I was a BlackBerry user in early days and also had the original Nexus line of Android phones which I enjoyed rooting and flashing custom ROM’s back in the day.

Then with the demise of Blackberry I went all in on Apple and the iPhone, but now I have been looking into the foldable devices and if I where to go that route I would probably go with Samsung.

I was wondering about the durability on the folding screen over a year or two period and do most of the current mart media apps support the foldable screen format? Any input would be appreciated.

I think we are long past durability concerns unless one just stumbles onto a faulty device

People are now just after refinement with each iteration just like with requests on any brand during yearly release updates

On software Samsung is renowned king and unmatched with foldable optimisation

 

[SteveJUAE]

I think we are long past durability concerns unless one just stumbles onto a faulty device

People are now just after refinement with each iteration just like with requests on any brand during yearly release updates

On software Samsung is renowned king and unmatched with foldable optimisation

Yep even on poorer app developers who do not specifically cover folderable screen size Samsung almost from day one has given options on app by app basis to adjust to full screen if not automatically adjusting

 

[Ludatyk]

Just received November update!

 

[hockeyfan81]

I haven't received the November security patch yet, I thought we would have received it earlier in the month like usual.

 

[scott craft]

I was a BlackBerry user in early days and also had the original Nexus line of Android phones which I enjoyed rooting and flashing custom ROM’s back in the day.

Then with the demise of Blackberry I went all in on Apple and the iPhone, but now I have been looking into the foldable devices and if I where to go that route I would probably go with Samsung.

I was wondering about the durability on the folding screen over a year or two period and do most of the current mart media apps support the foldable screen format? Any input would be appreciated.

I have had my inner screen replaced due to cracks in the crease. I am treating it as a random fluke but it can happen.

 

[The_Interloper]

I have had my inner screen replaced due to cracks in the crease. I am treating it as a random fluke but it can happen.

Which Fold version was this? Was it screen protector lifting or complete failure?

 

[DeepIn2U]

I'm coming from the 6th gen classic

About 50 years back I had a Brietling using the same equilateral curved square case, but sadly I lost it, so I like the shape.

The stock orange strap is a bit loud for my taste but extremely comfortable, but will change it on Saturday for a dark strap.

The weight surprised me and it's not noticeable or the bulk.

The number of complications and options are great. I remember designing my own watch faces years back and it's almost not needed now with so many permutations on the stock designs the choice is massive and can be implemented in most of the complications positions.

I really like the red night time mode.

LTE is standard but a rip off in UK imo so probably won't use it.

Not set up the blood pressure and a few other bits and need to change the main crown action as I am not a workout chap

I thought I would miss the rotating bezel but because you can just tap on any of the 8 complications and get to the app it's actually simpler and faster than scrolling

Overall I am impressed how much more you get, but I have already turned the compass off lol

Goddamn!

You LOST a Brietling?! Bare-minimum that's a $5K watch LOST!!!

What's worse with that sad loss is most that found it possibly thought it was fake and sold it for chump change to a VERY shrewd buyer!

I've ALWAYS been a fan of the Navitimer series old and new : and I plan to set myself up with a B01 modern take to go along with an upcoming purchase of a 2003 Vantage V8 (AMG's V8) ... combo is just too tough! but not for me this devine creature.

I agree the case similarities are uncanny.

BTW LTE rip off is NOTHING to what we've have always experienced in Canada trust-it!

 

[The Game 161]

latest rumour suggests the fold 7 will look exactly like the fold SE

Great news if true.

 

[hockeyfan81]

Also they are removing s-pen support from the Fold 7.

 

[Ludatyk]

Also they are removing s-pen support from the Fold 7.

Yeah, I peeped news from Ross Young that there will be no digitizer for the display. If that is true, I won’t buy it. To retroactively remove S-Pen support for the Fold series is a huge let down. As much as I enjoy using foldables, I’d ultimately buy a S25U.

 

[SteveJUAE]

Goddamn!

You LOST a Brietling?! Bare-minimum that's a $5K watch LOST!!!

What's worse with that sad loss is most that found it possibly thought it was fake and sold it for chump change to a VERY shrewd buyer!

I've ALWAYS been a fan of the Navitimer series old and new : and I plan to set myself up with a B01 modern take to go along with an upcoming purchase of a 2003 Vantage V8 (AMG's V8) ... combo is just too tough! but not for me this devine creature.

I agree the case similarities are uncanny.

BTW LTE rip off is NOTHING to what we've have always experienced in Canada trust-it!

I still have the original box and receipt for the Brietling . Its quite a small unassuming yellow box.

I also bought my sons Brietlings when they graduated, Montbrilliants. The Mrs has a pink pearl face and diamonds one.

Aston Martin or Maserati is good for me, I wish lol

 

[The Game 161]

Yeah, I peeped news from Ross Young that there will be no digitizer for the display. If that is true, I won’t buy it. To retroactively remove S-Pen support for the Fold series is a huge let down. As much as I enjoy using foldables, I’d ultimately buy a S25U.

Unless they can figure out how to release it without the digitizer

 

[Ludatyk]

Don’t think he’s mentioned anything about S pen support going from fold 7

Just that SE would be without it

This is what he posted…

 

[The Game 161]

This is what he posted…
View attachment 2458545

Yeah edited my post after I saw

Seems like Samsung's focus is thinner and lighter so they need to remove the digitiser or maybe they can add it without it dunno

 

[scott craft]

Which Fold version was this? Was it screen protector lifting or complete failure?

Fold 5. It was cracked in the crease. Multiple small cracks. It was replaced under warranty since the phone was less than a year old. I'm definitely getting another foldable so this doesn't discourage me but I doubt I keep one more than two years.