Hands-On With Samsung's Latest Foldable Smartphones, the Galaxy Z Fold and Z Flip

[erikkfi]

Samsung is trying out all kinds of neat new things. I wouldn't buy one but I appreciate what they're doing. I can see the desirability of folding over a tall device into something twice as thick but with half the surface area. There's still an obvious wrinkle in the middle of the screen, though. Work to be done.

 

[Chrjy]

An entire review of the Fold and not a single mention of the crease....now that's impressive.

 

[Shh]

I'll take a crease over a notch any day.

I'll take neither.

 

[bryanck]

It doesn't look like you're saving on overall volume vs a non-folding phone. So 2x shorter but 2x thicker when folded. Doesn't seem like an improvement in terms of convenience, I think having a big, bulky cube in my pocket is a downgrade. The original Razr was more clever in the way it was optimized for thickness when folded.

 

[ofarlig]

It doesn't look like you're saving on overall volume vs a non-folding phone. So 2x shorter but 2x thicker when folded. Doesn't seem like an improvement in terms of convenience, I think having a big, bulky cube in my pocket is a downgrade. The original Razr was more clever in the way it was optimized for thickness when folded.

The idea of the Fold is that the larger screen makes it useful for more than calling, messaging and browsing in a pinch. Sure it is bulkier but you get more use out of the device when you have a bigger screen.

Personally I don’t see much benefit from the Flip form factor though.

 

[q64ceo]

Remember when MacRumors was about Mac rumors?

 

[DD88]

I have a question for you all, if Apple made this EXACT phone as it looks now but place an apple logo on instead of Samsung, would it be getting as much hate as it is now ?
By the way I think it looks garbage but I’d buy one if it was made by Apple

 

[Ozid]

Combining the two form-factors into a four-fold (or two-fold?) phone be nice.

you'd have a cube in your pocket

 

[Thehangmn]

Samsungs doing all the R&D and heavy lifting. In a few years when Apple releases their own folding phone, they'll take all credit and Macrumors will actually give them all the credit.

Happens all the time.

Samsung is doing the display R&D because they develop display technology. Apply is developing their own silicon, not displays.
Samsung is pushing this hard because they stand to benefit greatly if it is widely adopted. They will be the sole producer of foldable screens until their competitors catch up.

Now if I grant your premise that apple will make a foldable iPhone, the more likely scenario is that Samsung has a few more iterations of mild success with the galaxy fold line but it never takes off, then apple adopts the technology and adds something small but very meaningful which makes the foldable form factor more appealing. Macrumors will give apple credit for popularizing a form factor that up until that point had only mild success

 

[ofarlig]

I have a question for you all, if Apple made this EXACT phone as it looks now but place an apple logo on instead of Samsung, would it be getting as much hate as it is now ?
By the way I think it looks garbage but I’d buy one if it was made by Apple

The only thing that’s making me consider not getting one is I prefer iOS so I’d buy it instantly if Apple made it. Hell I’d probably buy it if Apple made an iMessage app for Android.

 

[Shh]

Remember when MacRumors was about Mac rumors?

It's always been about a wide range of topics, so no.

 

[bryanck]

If Apple comes out with a folding phone, it won't just be an iPhone 13 you can fold in half. I'm pretty sure of that.

 

[Johns12]

I pray to god that if/when apple makes their own foldable phone, they don't put regular phones on the back burner...

It seems that Samsung has not put regular phones on the back burner. I don't think there is anything to worry about there.

 

[XXPP]

These phones are a joke.

 

[MNLondon]

It looks great! When did Apple stop becoming an innovator?

 

[XXPP]

Foldable are brilliant. Having owned a fold the concept is amazing! Can’t wait for the day Apple does the equivalent… that’s what stopped me. Too caught up in the ecosystem. Those who say they’re pointless.. give it a chance first, if you like iPads you will love the form factor!

This is next 3D TV

 

[XXPP]

How much Samsung pay for such advert?

 

[Karma*Police]

I’m detecting more than a hint of envy in some of these posts… speaking ill of a tech when we all know these same people would be first in line to buy them if it came from Apple. Sort of like the “huge smartphones look ridiculous” crowd who are now buying the iPhone Pro Max.

I would love for Apple to introduce a foldable phone or iPad… or fingerprint sensor on the side… or under the screen camera… or… anything… something more than just a slightly better camera and new colors year after year.

 

[macford]

Westworld has ruined us all on foldable phones because until they look as good as Bernard's tri-fold device, none of us will be happy.

 

[XXPP]

I’m detecting more than a hint of envy in some of these posts… speaking ill of a tech when we all know these same people would be first in line to buy them if it came from Apple. Sort of like the “huge smartphones look ridiculous” crowd who are now buying the iPhone Pro Max.

I would love for Apple to introduce a foldable phone or iPad… or fingerprint sensor on the side… or under the screen camera… or… anything… something more than just a slightly better camera and new colors year after year.

Nope. I will never buy such crappy device with BIG crease.

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

I have a question for you all, if Apple made this EXACT phone as it looks now but place an apple logo on instead of Samsung, would it be getting as much hate as it is now ?
By the way I think it looks garbage but I’d buy one if it was made by Apple

I don't think it's about the hate. It just looks weird and strange.

 

[XXPP]

Remember when MacRumors was about Mac rumors?

I have a friend who has a YT channel about Apple. Samsung spends millions for "reviews" on these places.

 

[darngooddesign]

...And then the crease still a thing i.e the Xiaomi Mix Fold 2 is better.

LOL Sure dude, no crease on the Xiaomi Fold. This is the Mix Fold 1 but I bet the Mix Fold 2 also has a crease.

Xiaomi Mi MIX Fold: has a good smartphone with video and real images

techbeezer.com

 

[klasma]

you'd have a cube in your pocket

I’d hope for a thinner design.

 

[thatguywill]

Z flip with iOS would be nice. I’ve never understood the phone > tablet folding. Why would you need that?