I think the jury is out on whether a foldable phone will be able to go the distance in terms of accidental abuse and longevity. For example, my 11 year old 5s is still working. Wonder what the state of this particular phone will be in 11 years.
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Huawei Aims to Upstage Sep 9 Apple Event With Tri-Fold Phone Debut
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part of that is because that phone is so small that its own mass doesnt put it at much risk during drops. do phones really need to last that long though? the only people i know who use a phone more than ~5-6 years are those who would probably be fine with a dumb phone. they are not the target demographic for bleeding edge tech like this, and they won't stop making candybar phones for those who want one
i'd hope anyone buying a $2k phone treats it like it cost $2k. tech will never advance if we have to make everything tough enough to withstand the abuse of a toddler
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Do you like it? My understanding is the disadvantage of silicon carbon batteries is they are higher failure.
It's indisputable that phones with hinges are less structurally sound than those without. It's also indisputable that screens that fold are going to require materials that are less rigid than traditional screens and have creases and/or uneven portions.
Just because people purchase and enjoy folding phones doesn't mean there aren't compromises involved. For some those compromises aren't deal breakers; for others, they are.
I'm not sure anyone has claimed failure rates were off the charts; I certainly haven't. I'm just saying the compromises required, especially to the screen, are not something I have any interest in, at all. There are many others in my camp.
Sure there are people that are interested in folding phones, and that's fine. We all value different things in our personal electronics. Some want folding phones, some actively do not.
I'm generally in the camp of 'buy the latest and greatest because I can'. See my .sig for one such example. For me, and for the things I value, I don't consider a folding phone 'greatest'. Understandably, there are people that consider folding phones the next evolutionary phase in phone design (ironic, isn't it?) and would balk at the 'boring' slab design that's been ubiquitous for many years. Conversely, there are people that consider folding phones to be a gimmick that impose a weakened structural integrity and a less-than-ideal screen experience.
Neither are wrong, of course. We all enjoy what we enjoy, and that's great.
My original comment was simply taking issue with the 'upstage' characterization of Huawei's folding phone announcement.
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I like both the V2 and V3. But if you are asking if I own one of them, no I do not.
I did order a Pixel 9 Pro Fold though and looking forward to owning my first foldable.
Wow, that 100 Million link chart shows Apple selling around 6 million foldable phones next year, and then around 35 million in 2027. Apple should be thrilled by that!While foldable phones aren't selling in huge numbers at the moment, they are steadily increasing
and they're expected to continue to grow as more consumers beome interested in and are willing to buy them
Global Foldable Smartphone Shipments to Cross 100 Million by 2027
Counterpoint is a global technology market research firm in the TMT industry. Our detailed analysis of report helps you to make better business decisions.www.counterpointresearch.com
Global foldable smartphone shipments are expected to pass the 100-million mark by 2027, according to Counterpoint Research’s latest Global Foldable Smartphone Tracker and Forecast
[ . . . ]
Senior Analyst Jene Park said, “In the long term, we are waiting to see what Apple does. We are looking at 2025 as the possible year of iPhone’s foldable debut, which could provide another growth spurt for the segment.”
Park added, “When we look at the current consumer response, our latest Global Foldable Smartphone Preference Survey shows a willingness to purchase for the majority of respondents, most notably among current users. This is a good sign and tells us the hype around foldables is legitimate.”
I get what you are saying, but considering that some here continue to complain that the iPhone mini users continue to complain that they still want a small phone, I would have to say this is by no means true for all. As someone that still likes small phones, I actually like the Samsung Flip series and wouldn't complain if Apple introduced a folding phone, though I expect they would go Fold style, which is still larger than I would like. But I won't resent anyone else wanting a phone they want.
That's a balanced and fair viewpoint.
There is no getting away from the moving part/risk of failure situation.
It's part of weighing up the original purchase decision and considering how much a folding phone means to the purchaser.
Having two hinges will add to the risk.
Of course, risk is everywhere. Dropping any slab phone risks breaking either or both screens.
Huawei is now using retractable lenses on its latest flagship model. A slab phone with moving parts.
It remains to be seen whether other phonemakers will follow suit or run with ever bigger camera bumps.
The hysteria (even prior to the launch of folding phones) about fragility was never warranted.
The mass failure of hinges never played out in spite of the mechanical nature of them and being constantly folded and unfolded. If it had, it would have been all over the news. All those naysayers were just wrong.
Some hinges break. Some screens fail. No one can deny that. The same thing can happen to any device if it is dropped or hit, bent etc.
But clearly the numbers are not statistically significant from a manufacturing perspective. If they were, no one would be making them.
Just like with the Vision Pro, this phone will be picked up by those who can afford it and are willing to be early adopters.
The only projections for folding phones in general are for increased sales. Prices are coming down and hinges are improving with every generation.
In reality it is fair to say that folding phones hit the ground running and have improved from there.
Each model with have its strong and weak points and must be evaluated individually. Honor has just taken the thin and light crown for example.
Only time will tell how the Mate XT fares.
Huawei is making this because they can. They have the technology.
Not me. I generally use a phone quite long. I have a tablet with a sim, I rarely use. I used it at the beginning, but later the tablet became troublesome. Most probably will be given to a grandkid. But, I might buy such a folding phone, if it won't be too expensive. A larger screen for book reading. But, I'll wait until other major players, Oppo, Xiaomi and other Chinese companies come out with one. When the market gets saturated, the price will go down. Oppo already has a non-folding AI phone.
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I want to see rollable screens; I can't see foldable phones ever being cheap or working the way I use my phone.
There have been very functional prototypes of rollable phones for awhile, but I haven't seen any consumer products:
- https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/motorolas-rollable-phone-concept-points-to-a-wild-future/
- https://www.zdnet.com/article/i-tri...e-and-it-made-even-my-foldable-feel-outdated/
There have been very functional prototypes of rollable phones for awhile, but I haven't seen any consumer products:
- https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/motorolas-rollable-phone-concept-points-to-a-wild-future/
- https://www.zdnet.com/article/i-tri...e-and-it-made-even-my-foldable-feel-outdated/
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The nice thing about foldables though is the redundancy of having two screens. If the main inner display were to stop working or is damaged somehow, the outer display works fine as a phone in it's own right, and the risk of burn in is reduced since youre dividing the screen time between them.
Plus, when folded these things feel very tanky. I have a Galaxy Fold3 and when folded it feels just as solid, if not moreso, than my iPhone. I use the outer screen probably 80% of the time, the same way i would a candybar phone. I also like that it's narrower than a typical candybar, it feels great in the hand and swipe typing with one hand is super easy
I was just replying to someone else that I want a rollable like on EFC.
There was even supposedly a rollable ereader back in the day.
Did not read your articles, but isn’t it mostly the much smaller ones that cost 1/2-1/3 as much as the full size ones. They’re growing because people are scaling back on expenses.While foldable phones aren't selling in huge numbers at the moment, they are steadily increasing
Huawei Captures Top Spot in Q1 2024 Global Foldable Smartphone Shipments on 5G Support
The global foldable smartphone market grew 49% YoY in Q1 2024, marking its highest rate of increase in six quarters.
The global foldable smartphone market grew 49% YoY in Q1 2024, marking its highest rate of increase in six quarters, according to the latest Counterpoint Research Foldable Smartphone Shipment Tracker. This surge was primarily driven by significant shipment increases at several Chinese OEMs. Notably, Huawei ascended to the top spot in quarterly global shipments for the first time, overtaking Samsung, which had consistently led the market.
and they're expected to continue to grow as more consumers beome interested in and are willing to buy them
Global Foldable Smartphone Shipments to Cross 100 Million by 2027
Counterpoint is a global technology market research firm in the TMT industry. Our detailed analysis of report helps you to make better business decisions.
Global foldable smartphone shipments are expected to pass the 100-million mark by 2027, according to Counterpoint Research’s latest Global Foldable Smartphone Tracker and Forecast
[ . . . ]
Senior Analyst Jene Park said, “In the long term, we are waiting to see what Apple does. We are looking at 2025 as the possible year of iPhone’s foldable debut, which could provide another growth spurt for the segment.”
Park added, “When we look at the current consumer response, our latest Global Foldable Smartphone Preference Survey shows a willingness to purchase for the majority of respondents, most notably among current users. This is a good sign and tells us the hype around foldables is legitimate.”
Agree. "Appease Wall Street" is THE number one bullet point on the job description for any CEO of a publicly-traded company (and there may not be a second bullet point). It's why Steve hand-picked Tim. He knew Tim would make a great CEO - which turned out to be accurate, with Tim taking Apple from where it was at the end of Steve's era (~$350B), to where it is now (~$3T). Night & freaking day. Tim has made Wall Street, very, very
As Ice-T said, "don't hate the player, hate the game." Tim's not the problem. The issue is way more complex than one man.
I’m not sure I’m following this. Tim Cook built the global operations and logistics platform that allowed Apple to operate and generate increasing profitability at scale. How does that make him a figure head?
Also:
(1) What metric do you use to measure “having the best device and crushing the competition” ?
(2) If you invested your money in a company, would you judge the CEO by (a) growth in the value of your investment which is primarily driven by future expected profitability or (b) your answer to #1 ?
I never understand why you all get so defensive of any criticism of devices as if you built and spent time developing the product and have personal stake. 😂
Anyway I think their Devices are good in design but it’s android and that kills any interest and their knock off iOS skin disgusts me.
In conclusion, quite a bit of experience 😗
Basic business 101 - you don't run a successful business by giving customers everything they want, especially if the number one thing they clamour for are more specs at lower prices.
How many supposed "iPhone killers" are out of business today, while Apple is bigger than ever? Anybody can talk big here. I guarantee they will all start singing a different tune if they were in charge and it's now their career on the line.
There are no such thing as "iPhone killers," except on the YT videos... 😏
Well, this never gets old.
Microsoft held a ‘funeral’ for Apple’s iPhone in 2010 and it has not aged well
Microsoft staffers once held a mock ‘funeral’ for Apple’s iPhone and, over a decade later, the internet still can’t believe that it’s real. While Apple’s iPhone products currently represent around 21% of all smartphones in use today, there was once a time when it seemed like Microsoft would be...
www.msn.com
Sure, some people always live in the past.Well, this never gets old.
Microsoft held a ‘funeral’ for Apple’s iPhone in 2010 and it has not aged well
Microsoft staffers once held a mock ‘funeral’ for Apple’s iPhone and, over a decade later, the internet still can’t believe that it’s real. While Apple’s iPhone products currently represent around 21% of all smartphones in use today, there was once a time when it seemed like Microsoft would be...www.msn.com
Past. Present. Future. One bets against Apple to their own detriment.
I had a chance recently to talk with two folks with folding phones. One was a standard size that folded open, like a book. The other was a standard size when open, but folded to half the size when closed. Prior to then I'd not seen or handled one, had no real interest in having one, and frankly didn't see the point of a folding screen.
So it was a surprise to me, upon seeing them, that I now see how such a thing could be useful.
The half-size phone would be handy for someone that wanted a normal screen but wanted to put into, say, a front pocket when carrying it. Not for me, but I now get it.
The book-style phone was more interesting to me. The screen looked pretty good, and the owner said he'd not had any problems with the crease, or having any kind of problem with the phone in general. He's had it for a couple of years, and the crease showed no signs of wear. I can now see how having a screen double the size of a normal phone yet being able to carry it in a shirt pocket would be attractive.
Does this make me want to buy one? No, as that would mean using an operating system that isn't compatible with my Apple stuff. And iOS works well for me.
Also, the build quality of those two phones definitely wasn't up to Apple standards. Maybe they just weren't the high end models. I'm not sure. But if Apple ever decides to build a folding iPhone, I'll at least consider it, based on what I saw with those two phones.
So it was a surprise to me, upon seeing them, that I now see how such a thing could be useful.
The half-size phone would be handy for someone that wanted a normal screen but wanted to put into, say, a front pocket when carrying it. Not for me, but I now get it.
The book-style phone was more interesting to me. The screen looked pretty good, and the owner said he'd not had any problems with the crease, or having any kind of problem with the phone in general. He's had it for a couple of years, and the crease showed no signs of wear. I can now see how having a screen double the size of a normal phone yet being able to carry it in a shirt pocket would be attractive.
Does this make me want to buy one? No, as that would mean using an operating system that isn't compatible with my Apple stuff. And iOS works well for me.
Also, the build quality of those two phones definitely wasn't up to Apple standards. Maybe they just weren't the high end models. I'm not sure. But if Apple ever decides to build a folding iPhone, I'll at least consider it, based on what I saw with those two phones.