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Zwhaler

macrumors 604
Jun 10, 2006
7,267
1,965
for way less money I can get a phone that's a better phone than the Fold 2 and a Tab that's a better tablet than the Fold 2.
Yes, but the point of the Fold 2 is to be a tablet when you wouldn't normally have a tablet. If I go out for the day, I wouldn't bring a tablet (maybe some people do); I wouldn't have a full-size or mini tablet in my pocket. In that scenario, which applies to almost every day for me, the Tab isn't better because it is N/A for that situation. I think what you're describing only applies at home, for me at least.
 

blairh

macrumors 603
Dec 11, 2007
5,972
4,472
I understand this as well...really more so since phones have had better water and dust resistance. I've had plenty of small mishaps over the past couple of years that were non-issues thanks to the better IP ratings. Living in Florida and being able to take my phone anywhere without worrying about some moisture, dust or dirt is table stakes now. There's no way I'm living without it.
Assuming I keep the Fold 2, I'm just going to use a dry pouch at the beach. I'm a heavy beachgoer in the summer. Obviously really not ideal. But I see no waterproof cases ever made for the Fold series to date.

Another idea I'm flirting with is getting a 5.4" iPhone 12 and using that for my beach days. Obviously an expensive route but it's been a long time since I had a smartphone that fit in my front swimsuit pocket during long walks on the beach.
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Yeah I'm in the same boat. I'm sure it'll be cool and fun to use, but not practical at all and I don't want the constant worry of breaking it.
Get insurance.
 

Awesomesince86

macrumors 68020
Sep 18, 2016
2,482
3,302
Yes, but the point of the Fold 2 is to be a tablet when you wouldn't normally have a tablet. If I go out for the day, I wouldn't bring a tablet (maybe some people do); I wouldn't have a full-size or mini tablet in my pocket. In that scenario, which applies to almost every day for me, the Tab isn't better because it is N/A for that situation. I think what you're describing only applies at home, for me at least.

I totally agree. I see the appeal of the Fold 2 for the reasons you mentioned. But my argument was that for my use, as someone who works from home and is almost always at his desk or at home, having the best tablet I could get is more useful than having a pretty good tablet in my pocket in the rare occasions I'm out and need it.

For someone that is out a lot, or has a long work commute, I see this as a perfect but still not practical device.

Assuming I keep the Fold 2, I'm just going to use a dry pouch at the beach. I'm a heavy beachgoer in the summer. Obviously really not ideal. But I see no waterproof cases ever made for the Fold series to date.

Another idea I'm flirting with is getting a 5.4" iPhone 12 and using that for my beach days. Obviously an expensive route but it's been a long time since I had a smartphone that fit in my front swimsuit pocket during long walks on the beach.
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Get insurance.

Insurance on a phone is, and always will be, a rip off.
 
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spinedoc77

macrumors G4
Jun 11, 2009
11,488
5,413
In the car so I can't post it right now, but in Flossy's latest vlog he talks a lot about the Fold 2. I found it interesting that he says it's by far the best phone he's ever used...and that he wouldn't recommend it to anyone as their primary phone. He says it's a great secondary phone but he would never use it as his primary phone because it's too impractical.

I'm not sure why it's impractical, when closed it's just like any other phone out there. I see no reason why it shouldn't be recommended as a primary phone.
 
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spinedoc77

macrumors G4
Jun 11, 2009
11,488
5,413
Assuming I keep the Fold 2, I'm just going to use a dry pouch at the beach. I'm a heavy beachgoer in the summer. Obviously really not ideal. But I see no waterproof cases ever made for the Fold series to date.

Another idea I'm flirting with is getting a 5.4" iPhone 12 and using that for my beach days. Obviously an expensive route but it's been a long time since I had a smartphone that fit in my front swimsuit pocket during long walks on the beach.
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Get insurance.

Or you can use a waterproof smartwatch with LTE, at least you will still have most of the phones functions with you. I kind of like this route as it means no heavy phone bouncing around in my swim trunk pockets.
 

blairh

macrumors 603
Dec 11, 2007
5,972
4,472
I'm not sure why it's impractical, when closed it's just like any other phone out there. I see no reason why it shouldn't be recommended as a primary phone.
Gonna assume it's one of two reasons, if not both. The enormous price. And the thickness when folded and placed in your front pocket.
 

blairh

macrumors 603
Dec 11, 2007
5,972
4,472
Or you can use a waterproof smartwatch with LTE, at least you will still have most of the phones functions with you. I kind of like this route as it means no heavy phone bouncing around in my swim trunk pockets.
Not really. I still need a smartphone with me where I can type out messages or have phone conversations when desired.

For years now I've just walked down the beach holding my smartphone. Not ideal but I see no better solution for now. I think the last time I had a smartphone that I could fit in my front swimsuit pocket was the iPhone 5. So either I'll carry the Fold 2 in a dry pouch or I'll get a 5.4" iPhone 12 and keep it in my swimsuit pocket. No need to decide on that till next summer.
 

bbs008

macrumors regular
Feb 24, 2020
211
370
I disagree with anyone who says it isn't practical. People really underestimate foldables durability.



This dude is a contractor who used the fold for over 100 days and if he can keep the device in perfect shape while putting it through the most toughest situations... i think anyone can... esp for the more durable fold 2.
 

Awesomesince86

macrumors 68020
Sep 18, 2016
2,482
3,302
I'm not sure why it's impractical, when closed it's just like any other phone out there. I see no reason why it shouldn't be recommended as a primary phone.

Big, heavy, no IP protection, no dust protection, etc. I think it looks great, but let's not pretend it's as practical as other phones.

I'm don't want to come off as knocking this device. I think it's amazing. But it just comes with a lot of things you have to accept as a trade-off to having such an innovative device. And those things are high cost and higher risk of damage.

Excuse me? So I should have my Fold 2 with no insurance and then if I drop and break it lose out on $2000 versus the protection of a low monthly fee???

I'm not telling you what to do, but in general terms insurance on phones is not smart financially. Now maybe it differs for the Fold 2 because of the higher cost, it all depends on the monthly payments and down payment in the event of damage. It typically only pays off if you damage the phone in the first 4-6 months of owning the phone. You're paying a monthly fee that accumulates all while the device is depreciation.

Typically, on a $1k device the best case scenario is you never need it and over the 2 year life of the device you've paid 1/4th the cost of the device for something you never used. Worst case is you break the device later on in it's life cycle and the amount you've accumulated in payments and the down payment are close to what you could buy one for on the market because of how much it's value has depreciated over time like all phones do.
 
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blairh

macrumors 603
Dec 11, 2007
5,972
4,472
Big, heavy, no IP protection, no dust protection, etc. I think it looks great, but let's not pretend it's as practical as other phones.

I'm don't want to come off as knocking this device. I think it's amazing. But it just comes with a lot of things you have to accept as a trade-off to having such an innovative device. And those things are high cost and higher risk of damage.



I'm not telling you what to do, but in general terms insurance on phones is not smart financially. Now maybe it differs for the Fold 2 because of the higher cost, it all depends on the monthly payments and down payment in the event of damage. It typically only pays off if you damage the phone in the first 4-6 months of owning the phone. You're paying a monthly fee that accumulates all while the device is depreciation.

Typically, on a $1k device the best case scenario is you never need it and over the 2 year life of the device you've paid 1/4th the cost of the device for something you never used. Worst case is you break the device later on in it's life cycle and the amount you've accumulated in payments and the down payment are close to what you could buy one for on the market because of how much it's value has depreciated over time like all phones do.
I agree that it's far more fragile in terms of sand and dust and anyone overlooking such a thing is just being dishonest.

You literally said insurance is always a rip off. That's a rather ridiculous statement to make. I suggested insurance on this specific device, which given its astronomical price, is clearly a no-brainer for almost anyone.
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I disagree with anyone who says it isn't practical. People really underestimate foldables durability.


This dude is a contractor who used the fold for over 100 days and if he can keep the device in perfect shape while putting it through the most toughest situations... i think anyone can... esp for the more durable fold 2.
There is a difference between durable and being able to withstand a day at the beach or similar.
 

spinedoc77

macrumors G4
Jun 11, 2009
11,488
5,413
Gonna assume it's one of two reasons, if not both. The enormous price. And the thickness when folded and placed in your front pocket.

The price isn't an issue with the practicality of the phone itself, although it is an issue with practicality in general. But that practicality depends on your means, as well as the practicality of combining the cost of a tablet and phone into one device which means that the Fold 2 can actually be cheaper than the aforementioned combination. From a practicality pov having your tablet and phone in one device can also be an advantage, no more syncing, no more hotspotting or paying for an extra LTE device, etc.

The thickness can certainly be an issue, I don't think it will be an issue for me personally as I understand the trade off. But even with that said I don't think the thickness will really make it impractical, but it definitely will be one of the top items on the wish list. Here it is next to the Duo, both unfolded. The hinge end is thicker though, especially with the air gap.

DuovFold2 thickness.jpg

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Not really. I still need a smartphone with me where I can type out messages or have phone conversations when desired.

For years now I've just walked down the beach holding my smartphone. Not ideal but I see no better solution for now. I think the last time I had a smartphone that I could fit in my front swimsuit pocket was the iPhone 5. So either I'll carry the Fold 2 in a dry pouch or I'll get a 5.4" iPhone 12 and keep it in my swimsuit pocket. No need to decide on that till next summer.

You can text and have phone conversations on a LTE smartwatch. But I get your point, it's still nice to have the full device.
 

blairh

macrumors 603
Dec 11, 2007
5,972
4,472
The lack of cases at launch is rather astonishing. I pre-ordered and will have two weeks to decide if I want to keep this phone or not. I was forced to pre-order the leather case from Samsung as I want to try a Steelie set-up in my car and need a case to attach the magnet to while using in my car.
 

bbs008

macrumors regular
Feb 24, 2020
211
370
I agree that it's far more fragile in terms of sand and dust and anyone overlooking such a thing is just being dishonest.

You literally said insurance is always a rip off. That's a rather ridiculous statement to make. I suggested insurance on this specific device, which given its astronomical price, is clearly a no-brainer for almost anyone.
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There is a difference between durable and being able to withstand a day at the beach or similar.

Not even talking about durability only; the video explains being around dirt, dust and cement all day and it still being in perfect condition. Its not as fragile as people make it out to be.
 

blairh

macrumors 603
Dec 11, 2007
5,972
4,472
The price isn't an issue with the practicality of the phone itself, although it is an issue with practicality in general. But that practicality depends on your means, as well as the practicality of combining the cost of a tablet and phone into one device which means that the Fold 2 can actually be cheaper than the aforementioned combination. From a practicality pov having your tablet and phone in one device can also be an advantage, no more syncing, no more hotspotting or paying for an extra LTE device, etc.

The thickness can certainly be an issue, I don't think it will be an issue for me personally as I understand the trade off. But even with that said I don't think the thickness will really make it impractical, but it definitely will be one of the top items on the wish list. Here it is next to the Duo, both unfolded. The hinge end is thicker though, especially with the air gap.

You can text and have phone conversations on a LTE smartwatch. But I get your point, it's still nice to have the full device.
I have no idea if the Fold 2 will pass my shorts/pants test. Obviously one of the many things I will be trying out. Samsung really needs to make an effort and make this device thinner when folded. I suspect the Fold 3 will achieve this by making the phone wider/thinner (and in turn making both screens a touch larger).

Yeah I have no desire to text or talk using a smartwatch.
 

spinedoc77

macrumors G4
Jun 11, 2009
11,488
5,413
Big, heavy, no IP protection, no dust protection, etc. I think it looks great, but let's not pretend it's as practical as other phones.

I'm don't want to come off as knocking this device. I think it's amazing. But it just comes with a lot of things you have to accept as a trade-off to having such an innovative device. And those things are high cost and higher risk of damage.



I'm not telling you what to do, but in general terms insurance on phones is not smart financially. Now maybe it differs for the Fold 2 because of the higher cost, it all depends on the monthly payments and down payment in the event of damage. It typically only pays off if you damage the phone in the first 4-6 months of owning the phone. You're paying a monthly fee that accumulates all while the device is depreciation.

Typically, on a $1k device the best case scenario is you never need it and over the 2 year life of the device you've paid 1/4th the cost of the device for something you never used. Worst case is you break the device later on in it's life cycle and the amount you've accumulated in payments and the down payment are close to what you could buy one for on the market because of how much it's value has depreciated over time like all phones do.

Big, heavy... hmm sounds like someone objecting to the Note series several years ago. IP/dust protection yes that's certainly a good point, no argument there. Doesn't bother me much as I will be getting insurance on it anyway and I'm very careful with my phones, but still can't deny it's a valid point. With that said I don't believe any tablet has a high (if any??) IP rating.
 

blairh

macrumors 603
Dec 11, 2007
5,972
4,472
Not even talking about durability only; the video explains being around dirt, dust and cement all day and it still being in perfect condition. Its not as fragile as people make it out to be.
Honestly I don't agree. I work in construction. If I'm not careful it's easy to do damage to my iPhone if I'm not super careful with it. I see no reason why the Fold wouldn't be any different. And there is no way this thing would work on the beach without a pouch.
 

spinedoc77

macrumors G4
Jun 11, 2009
11,488
5,413
I have no idea if the Fold 2 will pass my shorts/pants test. Obviously one of the many things I will be trying out. Samsung really needs to make an effort and make this device thinner when folded. I suspect the Fold 3 will achieve this by making the phone wider/thinner (and in turn making both screens a touch larger).

Yeah I have no desire to text or talk using a smartwatch.

Well yeah certainly Samsung is obviously working to improve these things. Personally I wouldn't want it wider, that really detracts from smartphone use when its folded. This makes me think of the Duo which is going to be difficult to use closed as a smartphone. The Fold's form factor/size is perfect until they figure out tri or quad folding screens.

I love using my AW to text/talk when my phone isn't nearby, it works remarkably well. Enjoy your water bagged phone!! :p
 

bbs008

macrumors regular
Feb 24, 2020
211
370
Honestly I don't agree. I work in construction. If I'm not careful it's easy to do damage to my iPhone if I'm not super careful with it. I see no reason why the Fold wouldn't be any different. And there is no way this thing would work on the beach without a pouch.

Nothin to agree with here; i linked you a video of someone who used it on the daily. I'm not saying don't care of your phone.. all im saying is there are too many videos out there that make the phone sound like its way more fragile or impractical to use then it really is.
 

Awesomesince86

macrumors 68020
Sep 18, 2016
2,482
3,302
I agree that it's far more fragile in terms of sand and dust and anyone overlooking such a thing is just being dishonest.

You literally said insurance is always a rip off. That's a rather ridiculous statement to make. I suggested insurance on this specific device, which given its astronomical price, is clearly a no-brainer for almost anyone.
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There is a difference between durable and being able to withstand a day at the beach or similar.

I said phone insurance is always a rip off. I'll walk that back and say in the large majority of cases it's a rip off. In general, insurance for things like health and car make sense because the event costs are so astronomical.

For the Fold 2, it depends on a lot of things. Monthly cost, down payment when repair is needed, and phone depreciation. Hopefully this phone fares better than the Fold 1 in that department. You can get Fold 1s on Swappa in mint condition for under $1k right now.
 

Awesomesince86

macrumors 68020
Sep 18, 2016
2,482
3,302
Nothin to agree with here; i linked you a video of someone who used it on the daily. I'm not saying don't care of your phone.. all im saying is there are too many videos out there that make the phone sound like its way more fragile or impractical to use then it really is.

I don't think anyone is saying it's going to fall apart. But it's considerably easier to damage than almost all other phones. It has a less durable screen, no IP rating, no dust rating, a moveable part which although has clearly improved comes with added risk of failure as with any moving part. When you pair those things which the cost, it's easy to see why people are more worried.

That said, I'm sure with a case and common sense care this thing will last 2 years no problem. One just needs to be aware that certain situations need to be avoided like around water, bad weather, beaches, etc.

For me one of the biggest worries is actually that my little ones grab my phone and watch youtube kids or movies every once in a while. I'm not worried they're going to damage my S20 plus screen at all (just dirty it up). There's no way I would let them do that with a Fold 2 and the more fragile inner screen. So like with most things, it doesn't make as much sense for my usage but for others this probably isn't a risk at all.
 

blairh

macrumors 603
Dec 11, 2007
5,972
4,472
Well yeah certainly Samsung is obviously working to improve these things. Personally I wouldn't want it wider, that really detracts from smartphone use when its folded. This makes me think of the Duo which is going to be difficult to use closed as a smartphone. The Fold's form factor/size is perfect until they figure out tri or quad folding screens.

I love using my AW to text/talk when my phone isn't nearby, it works remarkably well. Enjoy your water bagged phone!! :p
They need to make the outer screen wider. That’s a given. Hence why the device itself will be wider most likely next year.

I’d rather use a phone in a pouch than attempt to talk into my smartwatch on a windy and crowded beach. It’s a no brainer.
 

blairh

macrumors 603
Dec 11, 2007
5,972
4,472
Nothin to agree with here; i linked you a video of someone who used it on the daily. I'm not saying don't care of your phone.. all im saying is there are too many videos out there that make the phone sound like its way more fragile or impractical to use then it really is.
And I’m telling you as someone that actually works in construction that any smartphone is suspect to danger due to the conditions. Also there are no rugged cases for the Fold. So it’s even worse in that regard.
 

Awesomesince86

macrumors 68020
Sep 18, 2016
2,482
3,302
And I’m telling you as someone that actually works in construction that any smartphone is suspect to danger due to the conditions. Also there are no rugged cases for the Fold. So it’s even worse in that regard.

I imagine in construction there's probably a lot of dust and particles in the air as well. That would make me nervous if I was a Fold owner.
 
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Cryates

macrumors 68040
Nov 19, 2013
3,341
5,283
And there's a gap between the inner display when its folded. And easy place for dust and dirt to get it and damage the inner screen. I'm in no position to question whether or not someone in construction could keep this device in great condition, but in no way, shape or form would I say that guy's scenario is the definitive answer for anyone else in that line of work. He's very likely the exception in that scenario.
 
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