Phones Folding phones the next frontier

[Ludatyk]

My iPad is basically my daily computer. I own a MBP and have a desktop in my office but most of my daily tasks that require more than my phone are done using it. It lives in a magic keyboard most of the time but I’ll often take it off the keyboard to use as a tablet around the house.

Similar to you, I have a MBP... however I don't use the Magic Keyboard at the desk. The iPad sits on a mount I got from CharJen, called MagFlott VESA mount (that way I can move it however I want).

I also have this magnetic stand from Lululook that I often drop it onto if I’m cooking in the kitchen or want to go hands free without the keyboard and watch some content or have it next to either of my computers. When I leave the house it’s almost always in the magic keyboard.

Is there a particular bag that you use?

 

[tbayrgs]

Similar to you, I have a MBP... however I don't use the Magic Keyboard at the desk. The iPad sits on a mount I got from CharJen, called MagFlott VESA mount (that way I can move it however I want).


Is there a particular bag that you use?

No, since it usually leaves the house inside the magic keyboard, I have a nice everyday carry backpack with a dedicated laptop/tablet section that's softly lined and well padded so I don't feel I need to put it inside of a sleeve. Pretty much same goes for when I travel, except I also usually bring a slim folio cover to use when I don't need the keyboard.

And that VESA mount looks great...something new I can add to my office. 😁

 

[Ludatyk]

We tested One UI 8.5 on a Galaxy Z Fold 7, see what's new!

Samsung began developing the One UI 8.5 update for the Galaxy Z Fold 7 fairly recently, and we’ve now managed to access an early build.

www.sammobile.com

Seems as though we are getting the floating Quick Panel for the Fold series (we probably see this in the notification center).... and I called it early on back when I seen it on the latest Galaxy Tabs, glad to see its going to be added in One UI 8.5.

 

[hockeyfan81]

 

[Ludatyk]

No mention of S-Pen support... doubt it's available for it.

 

[tbayrgs]

No mention of S-Pen support... doubt it's available for it.

So basically, a like having a 3rd panel on a Z Fold 7 available, resulting in an even better multitasking/video consumption experience. It's only 50g heavier than my P10PF. 😳

It's a pretty slick first crack at a tri-fold by Samsung. Compromises aside, I'd be very tempted...if I hadn't already bought my Pixel 10 Pro Fold.

 

[NeonNights]

I am super excited for the U.S. Tri Fold!

Lack of S Pen is super disappointing, but maybe I'll grab a few nice capacitive combo pens to keep in the car/home/office. Too bad it won't have Snapdragon Gen 5 but it will at least be on par with Fold 7 SoC, and will still be thinner than a Fold 5 (and less than a mm thicker than my Fold 6).

At the native 309 grams, it's no lightweight but ironically is still 1-2 grams lighter than the iPhone 12 Pro Max I had with case and tempered glass screen protector. Of course, the Tri-Fold will still be the heaviest phone I'll own once you add a screen protector and the included case(s).

But the best part is the quoted $2500 price for decent 16GB/512GB specs! Battery life is still a question mark but I haven't seen anything to drive me away from the Tri-Fold. I am getting one as soon as it's available to the U.S. market.

...oh, and that native DeX mode is sick. I already carry a wireless combo keyboard+touchpad with me when I head into the office so that will pair nicely with the Tri-Fold. Gotta get me that kickstand case too.

 

[sjsharksfan12]

My first thought seeing that trifold phone is it must be uncomfortable to carry in the pocket. I would think it would be bulky when it's all folded up. Might as well just call it a fold tablet.

 

[tbayrgs]

Can't wait for the official announcement on Friday, I am super excited for the U.S. Tri Fold!

Lack of S Pen is super disappointing, but maybe I'll grab a few nice capacitive combo pens to keep in the car/home/office. Too bad it won't have Snapdragon Gen 5 but it will at least be on par with Fold 7 SoC, and will still be thinner than a Fold 5 (and less than a mm thicker than my Fold 6).

At the native 309 grams, it's no lightweight but ironically is still 1-2 grams lighter than the iPhone 12 Pro Max I had with case and tempered glass screen protector. Of course, the Tri-Fold will still be the heaviest phone I'll own once you add a screen protector and the included case(s).

But the best part is the quoted $2500 price for decent 16GB/512GB specs! Battery life is still a question mark but I haven't seen anything to drive me away from the Tri-Fold. I am getting one as soon as it's available to the U.S. market.

...oh, and that native DeX mode is sick. I already carry a wireless combo keyboard+touchpas with me when I head into the office so that will pair nicely with the Tri-Fold. Gotta get me that kickstand case too.

Better recheck that price...Mr. Whosetheboss said that the direct conversion isn't likely the price we're getting here because the Z Fold 7 is noticeably cheaper in Korea (approximately $1600 USD) so the US price is more likely going to be close to $3000.

Of course we won't know for sure until it's released here, supposedly first quarter next year.

 

[tbayrgs]

My first thought seeing that trifold phone is it must be uncomfortable to carry in the pocket. I would think it would be bulky when it's all folded up. Might as well just call it a fold tablet.

Yeah, certainly not light by smartphone standards but it A LOT lighter than an equivalent sized Samsung tablet or Apple iPad (between 175-200g). It's also only 50 grams heavier than a Z Fold 5 (and thinner too) or Pixel 10 Pro Fold.

As someone with eye sight that's sadly diminishing every year with my old age and who also consumes a lot of content on a tablet, I'm genuinely intrigued.

 

[NeonNights]

My first thought seeing that trifold phone is it must be uncomfortable to carry in the pocket. I would think it would be bulky when it's all folded up. Might as well just call it a fold tablet.

The weight for sure is a factor, but the Tri Fold is still slimmer than my past Fold 4 and Fold 5, and less than 1 mm thicker than my Fold 6.

Better recheck that price...Mr. Whosetheboss said that the direct conversion isn't likely the price we're getting here because the Z Fold 7 is noticeably cheaper in Korea (approximately $1600 USD) so the US price is more likely going to be close to $3000.

Of course we won't know for sure until it's released here, supposedly first quarter next year.

That is okay, I was prepared for $3000. If it comes in below that then it's just a bonus. I assume Samsung will let me trade-in my Fold 6 so the final price won't be too bad.

 

[rhinosrcool]

No mention of S-Pen support... doubt it's available for it.

It's not. Hopefully, Z Fold 8?

 

[Ludatyk]

Lack of S Pen is super disappointing, but maybe I'll grab a few nice capacitive combo pens to keep in the car/home/office. Too bad it won't have Snapdragon Gen 5 but it will at least be on par with Fold 7 SoC, and will still be thinner than a Fold 5 (and less than a mm thicker than my Fold 6).

S-Pen vs a regular party capacitive pen? Just won’t be the same. And with the S26U a couple months away… it is disappointing that it won’t have the latest Snapdragon chip. I’m interested in the upgraded UFS 4.1 that’s coming with the chip (supposedly it’s going to be better for AI task).

...oh, and that native DeX mode is sick. I already carry a wireless combo keyboard+touchpad with me when I head into the office so that will pair nicely with the Tri-Fold. Gotta get me that kickstand case too.

I’ve never quite understood the need for DeX mode running on a tablet when OneUI already offers Pop-Up Window feature…

It's not. Hopefully, Z Fold 8?

That’s the dream… hopefully Samsung went back to the lab and figured it out, I don’t care if it’s the S-Pen is the size of an Apple Pencil. Just have it available for those that care for it.

 

[Tulani]

S-Pen vs a regular party capacitive pen? Just won’t be the same. And with the S26U a couple months away… it is disappointing that it won’t have the latest Snapdragon chip. I’m interested in the upgraded UFS 4.1 that’s coming with the chip (supposedly it’s going to be better for AI task).


I’ve never quite understood the need for DeX mode running on a tablet when OneUI already offers Pop-Up Window feature…


That’s the dream… hopefully Samsung went back to the lab and figured it out, I don’t care if it’s the S-Pen is the size of an Apple Pencil. Just have it available for those that care for it.

I think this really affects those who have had experience with the pen before

For new takers like me I cannot appreciate it enough to the same extent

The capacitive pen amd its workaround has been okay for when I needed anything writing related

 

[Ludatyk]

I think this really affects those who have had experience with the pen before

For new takers like me I cannot appreciate it enough to the same extent

The capacitive pen amd its workaround has been okay for when I needed anything writing related

Yeah, that's a good point. And it's not necessarily for new takers either... some don't even use the S-Pen on their Ultra devices. They bought it for the bigger screen and cameras... not concern with taking advantage of the S-Pen, that's why Samsung removed bluetooth support for it.

And I'm disappointed with Samsung because I believe they didn't do more to market S-Pen features. Most folks don't know they can go into Pentastic to change the pointer and use a different Air command UI. Samsung also has the option to change the background too... but not really interested in that though.

And I think the glaring difference between a regular capacitive pen and S-Pen is hovering support... it's baked into the OS and users get a better experience for it.

 

[Bkdodger]

No mention of S-Pen support... doubt it's available for it.

Enjoyed this walkthrough video and excited for second gen and upgrades to Fold now.

 

[Ludatyk]

Enjoyed this walkthrough video and excited for second gen and upgrades to Fold now.

Only thing that kind of had me skeptical... was the scratch that was shown. Throughout my 5 year ownership of the Fold series... I never experienced a scratch like that by sitting it against something (seems as if he did it deliberately to prove a point).

 

[Bkdodger]

Only thing that kind of had me skeptical... was the scratch that was shown. Throughout my 5 year ownership of the Fold series... I never experienced a scratch like that by sitting it against something (seems as if he did it deliberately to prove a point).

Yeah that definitely threw me off because the screen looked similar to our current Fold 7 with the addition of the extra crease.

 

[NeonNights]

Yeah, that's a good point. And it's not necessarily for new takers either... some don't even use the S-Pen on their Ultra devices. They bought it for the bigger screen and cameras... not concern with taking advantage of the S-Pen, that's why Samsung removed bluetooth support for it.

And I'm disappointed with Samsung because I believe they didn't do more to market S-Pen features. Most folks don't know they can go into Pentastic to change the pointer and use a different Air command UI. Samsung also has the option to change the background too... but not really interested in that though.

And I think the glaring difference between a regular capacitive pen and S-Pen is hovering support... it's baked into the OS and users get a better experience for it.

The excellent palm rejection is another benefit of S Pen support. I agree a capacitive stylus won't be anywhere near the same experience but it's a workaround.

I really wish the Tri Fold had S Pen support because a slate that's almost the size of a piece of paper begs to be written on for work meetings, school lecture notes, etc. Alas, S Pen gives Samsung something to work towards. I am willing to compromise S Pen for the 10" inner display.

 

[hockeyfan81]

I was hoping that Samsung would copy Huawei on how they did their trifold.

 

[Ludatyk]

I really wish the Tri Fold had S Pen support because a slate that's almost the size of a piece of paper begs to be written on for work meetings, school lecture notes, etc. Alas, S Pen gives Samsung something to work towards. I am willing to compromise S Pen for the 10" inner display.

Yup! That 10" inner display going to be awesome when it comes to mulitasking... but strangely though I like how it looked when he had in portrait mode.

Question though... come next year in the Summer/Fall when Fold 8 is released if it has S-Pen support would you switch to it?

I was hoping that Samsung would copy Huawei on how they did their trifold.

Same here! Having to go from phone to big tablet doesn't work for me... granted I have a 13" iPad Pro, maybe that plays a part. But something about having a mini tablet... the way Huawei approached it, seems like a better idea.

And Samsung mention durability concerns, which is completely valid.... but I would had taken that risk.

 

[rhinosrcool]

So, if you buy the trifold, next year you could trade it in and get the z fold for free?

 

[NeonNights]

Yup! That 10" inner display going to be awesome when it comes to mulitasking... but strangely though I like how it looked when he had in portrait mode.

Question though... come next year in the Summer/Fall when Fold 8 is released if it has S-Pen support would you switch to it?

No, most likely not. Just like I can't go back to a slab phone after going Fold, I don't think I will go back to a Fold after Tri Fold. But obviously I'm just speculating until I can get the Tri Fold in-hand. I am willing to forego S Pen for a larger inner canvas. For me, the larger Tri Fold would still trump Fold 8 with S Pen. It is like shopping for TVs, nobody ever regretted going bigger.

My eyes aren't so good anymore in middle age so I appreciate the larger iPad-like size of the Tri Fold. I still use the S Pen on my Fold 6 probably at least once a week, but I use the inner screen multiple times a day or hour.

 

[Tulani]

No, most likely not. Just like I can't go back to a slab phone after going Fold, I don't think I will go back to a Fold after Tri Fold. But obviously I'm just speculating until I can get the Tri Fold in-hand. I am willing to forego S Pen for a larger inner canvas. For me, the larger Tri Fold would still trump Fold 8 with S Pen. It is like shopping for TVs, nobody ever regretted going bigger.

My eyes aren't so good anymore in middle age so I appreciate the larger iPad-like size of the Tri Fold. I still use the S Pen on my Fold 6 probably at least once a week, but I use the inner screen multiple times a day or hour.

I am done with slabbing too.
Never again.

 

[The Game 161]

No mention of S-Pen support... doubt it's available for it.

Yeah doesn’t have s pen support

Tech is really cool and I think 3k price in US is likely