Samsung's 'Try Galaxy' Feature Uses Two iPhones to Demo Z Fold5 Experience

[tripsync]

Specifically with the Samsung Folds they solve the following:

The mobile power user that needs ultra mobility without the need to carry a laptop yet still be connected to corporate information and workspaces and documentation/data with the flexibility to present and manage that data with their team or the business while travelling.

The OS allows for split screen multi-tasking on the outer display: imagine playing a voicemail or video in another language and running translation at the same time. I’ve tried this on iOS 14-16 and still currently nobody can do this! Native apps including voice memo cannot be done!

Internally the OS allows for 3 split screen apps to run simultaneously (some may be for input and output translation while an the for reference) + 1 pop up app on top of them or to bring off tot he side off screen until you need it.

Specifically I queue to Samsung is a proper desktop os experience called Dex. Android allows you to run mobile versions of Microsoft office while the desktop allows desktop versions that can merge with your M365 license. (I’m not certain if add-ins can be run in Excel I’ll know in about a week when I get my S23 to test). Also imagine connecting to corporate space securely using Citrix Viewer and able to run 2 instances of such connection simultaneously!

This effort or paradigm, the purpose of such a device, was first led by the Nokia Communicators and Ericsson as well but Ericsson pretty much gave up earlier on.

Thai generation of devices has a LOT of uptake and about 5 competitors that is continually growing so the demand is significantly there. Apple I don’t think will do this because it’ll seriously affect their casual iPad user sales and potential very light use casual MacBook Air user. Notice that the MacBOok is completely gone from their lineup for some time.

Multitasking on portable multitouch devices without keyboard/mouse is pointless IMO. Downsides of the amount of resizing/window management outweigh any benefits over just running the app in full screen and switching manually.

I accidentally touch the iPad's multitasking function at the top more than I ever use it.

 

[canpoyrazoglu]

Even if they made great hardware, without proper software (apps not written for a niche-weird 1:1 aspect ratio) it will be practically useless for most. And for that double apps side-by-side thing, no thanks.

 

[coolfactor]

Impressive demo feature! Does it work on Android?

Still never buying any device branded "Samsung".

Can.Not.Do.It.

 

[Mc0]

I wanted to try the Z Flip 5 as a secondary phone but the stories about the folding screen’s peeling screen protector is keeping me from getting one. If only you can replace the protector yourself, I’d get one. But sadly, you need to bring it to Samsung to fix it.

 

[miric]

But Zyuzyung, I don't need the folding display. 🤦🏻‍♂️

 

[miric]

Solves the problem of not being able to fold your smartphone.

But who needs folding their smartphone? Artificially made problem.

 

[Dave245]

Samsung have improved a lot over the years, however I’m not a fan of foldables. The S23 Ultra has great hardware, I owned it but ultimately I sold it, IOS in my opinion is just better compared to Android. There’s something about iPhones that just have me coming back. Roll on iPhone 15 next month

 

[Jensend]

I guess that's good for people who want it, but it's not justified with the price when you can buy a phone and tablet for a lot cheaper.

Also, from everything I've read, the Z fold is a compromised phone and compromised tablet. That tends to happen when you combine 2 form factors.

Smartphones are a combination of devices with a dozen different form factors.

Smartphones combine a camera, a phone, a gaming system, and a web browser (among other things).
They have poor ergonomics compared to a dedicated camera.
The shape isn't as ergonomic as a traditional phone handset.
The lack of buttons is an issue for many games.
Small screens are not great for web browsers.
etc..

Not all devices are for all people. Not everyone wants the same compromises.

 

[iPay]

No it won't, the Z Fold starts at $1800. The 15 Pro Max/Ultra/whatever it's going to be called is rumored to start at $1200. Add a $500 iPad Mini and you still have $100 leftover. And I don't want a brick in my pocket.

Like most people here, I love and use Apple products. But respectfully, I can't see how moving in the street with an iPhone + iPad is the same as using a Fold or Flip 'brick'. This might just end up like another embarrassing ad.

In short, the main problem I have with Flip/Fold phones is that Apple doesn't make one.

 

[wanha]

I guess that's good for people who want it, but it's not justified with the price when you can buy a phone and tablet for a lot cheaper.

Also, from everything I've read, the Z fold is a compromised phone and compromised tablet. That tends to happen when you combine 2 form factors.

The idea of a foldable phone is no doubt great. With today's technology, however, the execution and price point simply aren't there.

Let's see where we are with this in 2-3 years...

 

[Paddle1]

Probably because of price.

That's definitely part of it but at the same time I think many people are willing to pay more for what they actually want. The iPhone SE doesn't outsell the standard or pro models despite being up to less than half the price.

Around $2000 for the Fold is a big ask, but Samsung phones are often available below retail price. The Flip is actually less expensive than the S23 Ultra but it still falls behind.

Foldables could be niche or a solution looking for a problem, or could be something you just have to try to really understand. We'll have to wait and see as they progress.

 

[Sitti]

You guys have no idea what you're missing. Since I bought Fold 3 couple years ago (and now I have Fold 5), it completely changed the way I use my phone. I'd never go back to iphone, normal Galaxy or any typical boring phone. You have to really try it and use it for all your tasks to fully understand the potential of having much larger screen that fits in your pocket.

 

[mike2q]

I know one thing the Samsung foldable's can do better than almost any Apple product. They can rack up the comments on Mac Rumors. I mean win, loose or draw they certainly bring out a lot of defensive posturing from people who could just as easily skip the story but feel oddly compelled to do otherwise.

 

[ninecows]

But who needs folding their smartphone? Artificially made problem.

Until the day where Apple releases a foldable phone 😉

 

[ninecows]

You guys have no idea what you're missing. Since I bought Fold 3 couple years ago (and now I have Fold 5), it completely changed the way I use my phone. I'd never go back to iphone, normal Galaxy or any typical boring phone. You have to really try it and use it for all your tasks to fully understand the potential of having much larger screen that fits in your pocket.

How about the teething problems on the first versions? Dirt getting into the fold etc. How is durability? I’m usually not getting a phone every year, but rather every 3rd or even more.

 

[HazeAndHahmahneez]

You guys have no idea what you're missing. Since I bought Fold 3 couple years ago (and now I have Fold 5), it completely changed the way I use my phone. I'd never go back to iphone, normal Galaxy or any typical boring phone. You have to really try it and use it for all your tasks to fully understand the potential of having much larger screen that fits in your pocket.

Ya, good luck with your smoogle spyware.

I know one thing the Samsung foldable's can do better than almost any Apple product. They can rack up the comments on Mac Rumors. I mean win, loose or draw they certainly bring out a lot of defensive posturing from people who could just as easily skip the story but feel oddly compelled to do otherwise.

Oh please, talk about the kettle calling the pot black (or whateva that phrase is). You sound very offended and defensive. How about ppl just don’t like smoogle and their creepy spying ways, for one?

At least we don’t make commercial afta commercial saying how lame the otha side is, we keep it movin with our awesome iPhones and that’s that.

 

[19callum93]

What problem do foldable phones solve? Serious question.

When I'm angry I can be dramatic and slam a phone call shut 🤣

 

[gmarm]

You gotta love the effort to convince people how a total gimmick is worth paying double money for.

Very happy Apple is staying out of the foldable smartphone business.

 

[return2sendai]

A regular iPhone Pro Max Ultra will cost just as much soon and it doesn’t even fold

Yes it does. It blends too.

 

[votdfak]

You gotta love the effort to convince people how a total gimmick is worth paying double money for.

Very happy Apple is staying out of the foldable smartphone business.

You’re hilarious. Where's the innovation on Apple's side? Dynamic Island? Last revolutionary iPhone was X, after that iterative af. People got bored, I am one of those. I see a lot of reddit posts left iPhone for Foldable. Also, people outside US don't rely on iMessage at all, they don't have green bubble scare, and it's not that hard to switch.

 

[MacBH928]

I saw this in the store, if you need to get things done, this is a middle ground between phone and tablet if you need something in your pocket.

I imagine its target market are people who are on the go

 

[JCCL]

What problem do foldable phones solve? Serious question.

Quite obvious, having a larger screen that you can carry in your pocket….not a fan of Android phones, but this hardware is far more interesting than any phone Apple has released in years.

 

[szw-mapple fan]

Folding doesn't halve volume, so you have double the thickness and the additional space needed for the hinge.

Not necessarily double the volume. In many recent models each halve are thinner than a traditional smartphone, although you can certainly argue cases for foldable would add much more to the thickness since both halves need protection. For example the Xiaomi Fold 3/Surface duo 2/Huawei Mate X3 are all roughly 11mm and the Pixel fold is 12mm when folded, which are only 40-50% thicker than a regular iPhone.

In any case, volume isn't really much of an issue for me, but the size definitely is. I can comfortably fit an iPad mini in my pocket if I could just snap it in half without changing anything else, but there is no way I can fit it in even if was half as thin without a fold. My ideal device would have a Surface duo/iPad mini screen size unfolded, runs iPadOS, and doesn't come with a crease.

 

[Abazigal]

You guys have no idea what you're missing. Since I bought Fold 3 couple years ago (and now I have Fold 5), it completely changed the way I use my phone. I'd never go back to iphone, normal Galaxy or any typical boring phone. You have to really try it and use it for all your tasks to fully understand the potential of having much larger screen that fits in your pocket.

There are a few more considerations that come to mind.

1) The iPhone, even with its current thickness, still has a huge camera bump to support the cameras that are increasingly being an integral part of Apple's marketing. A folding iPhone would cut its effective thickness in half, which also affects the quality of the camera that can be included. Either you dramatically reduce the quality of the camera included, or you include an obscene bump.

2) Currently, my iPhone 13 Pro Max feels solid and it should have no problems lasting 6-7 years. Apple has come a long way towards making their iPhones more durable (likely in response to a lengthening upgrade cycle). The galaxy fold looks like it might struggle to last past 3 years, what more maintain a pristine condition (eg: the crease in the middle of the display). This also matters because the longevity of the iPhone goes a long way towards retaining its resale value when users want to upgrade. A Samsung folding phone probably won't retain much of its resale value past the 2nd year, what more if the crease in the middle of the display is extremely prominent.

3) When I was attending a leadership course earlier in the year, I had a couple of course mates who were using Samsung folding phones. I do agree that the display is amazing for viewing photos and pdf documents. The downside is that the crease was extremely prominent (to me at least), and the phone had a hard time making it past 4 pm when you use it extensively in tablet mode (which makes the case for a dedicated iPad mini for storing and reviewing lecture notes).

Also, one of their phones would die a month later after returning from our overseas exchange programme.

Maybe one day, all these shortcomings can be engineered away, but right now, I feel they entail drawbacks Apple simply does not seem acceptable to their user base.

 

[bobcomer]

And watch Vision Pro fail

It might do that, I know I don't want one. But foldable phones haven't failed, they sell quite well. Not market leaders yet, but they sell. (to me for one)

Apple would be ecstatic if they sold a tenth as many vision pros...