Other iPhone Fold - what are your dealbreakers?

[Lounge vibes 05]

a little tip. Just turn the Pro Max sideways and you get a 6.9 inch screen to work with. That is only 0.9 inches smaller than the Fold when it is fully opened. And the Pro Max fits in your pocket

That is not the same thing at all, the fold will have over 60% more viewing area on its open screen than a Pro Max.
It’s a completely nonsense argument, those measurements are just diagonal.
You could also say that the iPhone 12 mini and the iPhone 6+ were basically the same size, because one was advertised with a 5.4 inch screen and one with a 5.5 inch screen. It doesn’t make it true, but with your arguments, it is.
Aspect ratios, they are one heck of a thing.

 

[Lounge vibes 05]

Any idea what the weight of the Ultra is/will be? That is another factor for me to consider.

The Galaxy ZFold 8, the one that’s a similar form factor to what the iPhone fold will be, is only 201 G.
Lighter than both an iPhone 17 Pro (206 G) and a Pro Max (233 G).
Now the iPhone is likely to have a titanium frame instead of a aluminum frame, so that does add a little bit to it, but I would expect it to weigh right around the same as the standard pro. So likely somewhere between 200 and 220 G, or about the weight of the old plus models, like the 15+ (201 G).

 

[walds11]

The Galaxy ZFold 8, the one that’s a similar form factor to what the iPhone fold will be, is only 201 G.
Lighter than both an iPhone 17 Pro (206 G) and a Pro Max (233 G).
Now the iPhone is likely to have a titanium frame instead of a aluminum frame, so that does add a little bit to it, but I would expect it to weigh right around the same as the standard pro. So likely somewhere between 200 and 220 G, or about the weight of the old plus models, like the 15+ (201 G).

Thanks! Now I am even more excited about the Ultra 😆

 

[Lounge vibes 05]

Thanks! Now I am even more excited about the Ultra 😆

And just for comparison, the current iPad mini is 294 G.
So, when unfolded,we are talking about almost 1/3 lighter.

 

[Dainin]

Biggest issue for me is the cameras. Losing optical zoom will suck. FaceID second, but less of an issue for me.

Regardless, I'm still torn between the 18Pro and Fold/Ultra. Hopefully the announcement gives me some clarity.

 

[rchaser]

Price and 1st generation of a new product, Let them work out the bugs during the first year, somewhat like the Air.
See if the quality is what is being advertised. IMO

Apple has been working on this a VERY LONG TIME. There really is ZERO excuse for having bugs.

Customers letting them off the hook is bad for everyone.

 

[joefrank64k]

I was very excited for the fold, but I’m not so sure anymore. I have the Air which I love, it’s so perfect for my use case. I don’t want a bigger and heavier phone again.

I’ll probably get the new iPad mini instead, if it comes with OLED and call it a day.

I have and love my Air. Reminds me of my favorite non-faceID iPhone, the 7+, except better in every way.

I’ve been using a Fold 8 to see if I like the form factor. It’s just awesome. I will be happily selling my Air for the Ultra, haha!!

 

[mkfmacrumors]

I'm not going to buy a high-end Apple device that tries to balance price at the expense of features. I want the fold to be the top-of-the-line iPhone installment, not a "well, if you want this specific 'fold' feature, you're going to have to compromise on a bunch of stuff"-type of device. I suppose I don't need 3 camera lenses - in particular since they don't all get the same high end treatment - but if the best lens/sensor combination on this phone isn't at least equal to the best available on any apple phone, it will be a dealbreaker. If you can't make it work for $2.5K, then charge $3.5K, but don't sell me almost-there hardware - that's not what Apple stood for in the past, at least in my view. I'm already a bit concerned that it's smaller than ~2x iPhone max, but I'm willing to give it a try because the rationale around the format is seems sensible. Also, if the device doesn't play well with a keyboard (I'm looking at you, iOS), it's going to really damage the experience for me. Apple pencil would be a big plus, but I understand that's almost certainly a no-go.

 

[thecautioners]

I am so torn. iPhone photography is my favorite hobby and I’ve been a Pro Max girlie since the 12PM. I am not a photo professional by any means, I just have pets and kids and I enjoy doing photos at skateboarding events for fun. At first I was adamant that I would never accept a camera downgrade, but… as someone else said above, FOMO and YOLO 😭

I just don’t know. Of course I’d love to have the shiniest new toy but I’m so nervous about committing to a lesser camera than I’ve been used to for almost 6 years. I don’t even have a “real” job that could benefit from a folding phone (after many years of disability, I am now an elementary school aide). A folding iPhone would simply be a very fun, shiny novelty and I know I’d enjoy it. But UGH the camera 😭

I will be financing through T-Mobile so I’m not super put off by the thought of parting with $2k+ up front. I just hope that when we get clarity on the 9th, I am pushed confidently to one side or the other, because this is causing me actual anxiety 😂

 

[ofarlig]

I'm not going to buy a high-end Apple device that tries to balance price at the expense of features. I want the fold to be the top-of-the-line iPhone installment, not a "well, if you want this specific 'fold' feature, you're going to have to compromise on a bunch of stuff"-type of device. I suppose I don't need 3 camera lenses - in particular since they don't all get the same high end treatment - but if the best lens/sensor combination on this phone isn't at least equal to the best available on any apple phone, it will be a dealbreaker. If you can't make it work for $2.5K, then charge $3.5K, but don't sell me almost-there hardware - that's not what Apple stood for in the past, at least in my view. I'm already a bit concerned that it's smaller than ~2x iPhone max, but I'm willing to give it a try because the rationale around the format is seems sensible. Also, if the device doesn't play well with a keyboard (I'm looking at you, iOS), it's going to really damage the experience for me. Apple pencil would be a big plus, but I understand that's almost certainly a no-go.

A better camera takes more space, the Pro Max phones will always have the best cameras (unless they decide to gimp the Pro Max) because they are way thicker than half a fold. It isn’t just about cost it’s also that for cameras size does matter.

 

[alia]

Price and 1st generation of a new product, Let them work out the bugs during the first year, somewhat like the Air.
See if the quality is what is being advertised. IMO

Agree with the other person that had no problem with the Air - my Air has been perfect. Doesn't even have a scratch on it, and I've been using it caseless. Quality is amazing. Battery life is meh, but that was never in dispute. Cameras are as advertised, but that was never in dispute. The 2nd gen Air will be better, because they will have made it better, not because there were any defects in the first gen.

Apple's been iterating on a foldable phone for years. They prototype the **** out of stuff and test it internally for years before launching it, unlike Samsung and others that do a lot of their testing with paying users. So, I'm not nearly as concerned it will have defects in the design as I would be buying an Android device.

 

[alia]

I am so torn. iPhone photography is my favorite hobby and I’ve been a Pro Max girlie since the 12PM. I am not a photo professional by any means, I just have pets and kids and I enjoy doing photos at skateboarding events for fun. At first I was adamant that I would never accept a camera downgrade, but… as someone else said above, FOMO and YOLO 😭

I just don’t know. Of course I’d love to have the shiniest new toy but I’m so nervous about committing to a lesser camera than I’ve been used to for almost 6 years. I don’t even have a “real” job that could benefit from a folding phone (after many years of disability, I am now an elementary school aide). A folding iPhone would simply be a very fun, shiny novelty and I know I’d enjoy it. But UGH the camera 😭

I will be financing through T-Mobile so I’m not super put off by the thought of parting with $2k+ up front. I just hope that when we get clarity on the 9th, I am pushed confidently to one side or the other, because this is causing me actual anxiety 😂

Agree on this front. I definitely hated losing camera when I went for the Air this year, and I'm basically planning to compensate by grabbing a Leica Leitzphone for my office number and using that for photography, because I'm traveling back to Japan next year after almost 20 years since I lived there, and I want a real camera with me. I also have a Leica Q, but I think the Leitzphone will be the perfect compromise of portability and quality. Having a Leitzphone will let me daily drive the foldable iPhone and still take pro photos when I need it. I am itching to sell my iPad Pro and go with just the fold for my tablet use.

Photography isn't my day job, but I'm serious enough about it to be a complete snob I guess.

 

[The Game 161]

A better camera takes more space, the Pro Max phones will always have the best cameras (unless they decide to gimp the Pro Max) because they are way thicker than half a fold. It isn’t just about cost it’s also that for cameras size does matter.

true, space matters and this can't be changed

adding silcon carbon could change things space wise however

 

[darthbane2k]

You can tell yourself that if it makes you feel better about Fold.

You're the one who wrote a 183 word post. I dont need to 'feel better' about anything.

 

[alia]

I think Apple won’t do something like DeX. DeX (or similar implementations) is nice for a demo, but in practice basically no one* in the real world is using it. It’s just not convenient.

I saw a YouTuber that ran DeX as his primary computer off his Fold 8 for 45 days, so I do know that there are definitely power users that will use their phones this way. I don't think that demographic necessarily lines up with Apple users generally, however, so you are probably right there.

As as lawyer, I do a lot of document editing, so I could probably get away with going on vacation and plugging my phone into a monitor and using it if I needed to do document editing, but that would mean vacationing somewhere with a monitor or bringing a portable monitor just in case, which totally defeats the purpose of leaving my laptop at home. However, I do like the option for if my MacBook Air is trashed for some reason or I'm at my mom's and need to do something quick but didn't bring my computer as a backup for emergent client work. It's a speculative use at best, but I'd like the option.

 

[Sami13496]

You're the one who wrote a 183 word post. I dont need to 'feel better' about anything.

Instead of commenting on the device itself, you resorted to personal attacks against me. That only tells me that my 183-word post clearly struck a nerve. I hope the Fold makes you happy.

 

[Sami13496]

That is not the same thing at all, the fold will have over 60% more viewing area on its open screen than a Pro Max.
It’s a completely nonsense argument, those measurements are just diagonal.
You could also say that the iPhone 12 mini and the iPhone 6+ were basically the same size, because one was advertised with a 5.4 inch screen and one with a 5.5 inch screen. It doesn’t make it true, but with your arguments, it is.
Aspect ratios, they are one heck of a thing.

Nah, they’re roughly the same size. The aspect ratio is slightly different, sure. But if you need to come up with excuses to justify buying a new $2,500 toy, then I guess screen size can be one of them.

 

[Lounge vibes 05]

Nah, they’re roughly the same size. The aspect ratio is slightly different, sure. But if you need to come up with excuses to justify buying a new $2,500 toy, then I guess screen size can be one of them.

They are not the same size, and you do not have to continue to resort to personal attacks just because you don’t like something.
Don’t care about the folding iPhone? Perfect. Move on.

 

[Macalway]

Nah, they’re roughly the same size. The aspect ratio is slightly different, sure. But if you need to come up with excuses to justify buying a new $2,500 toy, then I guess screen size can be one of them.

Right, people's phones are toys.

 

[Johnny Applesuede]

This thing is rumored to have Touch ID and a smaller footprint. Just cut it in half, and it would be perfect! 😉

 

[ofarlig]

Nah, they’re roughly the same size. The aspect ratio is slightly different, sure. But if you need to come up with excuses to justify buying a new $2,500 toy, then I guess screen size can be one of them.

I wouldn’t say a 55% larger screen is “roughly the same size”.

 

[4sallypat]

Agree on this front. I definitely hated losing camera when I went for the Air this year, and I'm basically planning to compensate by grabbing a Leica Leitzphone for my office number and using that for photography, because I'm traveling back to Japan next year after almost 20 years since I lived there, and I want a real camera with me. I also have a Leica Q, but I think the Leitzphone will be the perfect compromise of portability and quality. Having a Leitzphone will let me daily drive the foldable iPhone and still take pro photos when I need it. I am itching to sell my iPad Pro and go with just the fold for my tablet use.

Photography isn't my day job, but I'm serious enough about it to be a complete snob I guess.

With all that hate pointed towards the Air last year, I am quite happy with my single lens Air camera.

I only do point and shoot like a cheap 110 instamatic camera I used to own because I think the iPhone camera lens are not true photo quality so I never have the need for triple, quadruple lens on a cellphone.

Now if I need real photo quality, I just pull out my Canon DSLR with different lenses that cost more than a folding/ultra iPhone....

 

[joefrank64k]

Thanks! Now I am even more excited about the Ultra 😆

I have a Fold 8. When folded it feels a bit heavier than my Air. When unfolded it feels super-light, especially when you see the size of the inner screen.

I attribute the difference to the mass being concentrated when folded vs unfolded. Either way it’s not a heavy device, my wife’s 17PM feels like a brick by comparison, haha!!

I really cannot wait for this phone. I’ve been on the iPhone upgrade train every single year since the OG in 2007. It’s been a while since I’ve been this pumped for a new release. It feels a bit like iPhone 4, iPhone 6, iPhone X, and iPhone 11PM all rolled into one, haha!!

 

[darthbane2k]

Instead of commenting on the device itself, you resorted to personal attacks against me. That only tells me that my 183-word post clearly struck a nerve. I hope the Fold makes you happy.

Nah, they’re roughly the same size. The aspect ratio is slightly different, sure. But if you need to come up with excuses to justify buying a new $2,500 toy, then I guess screen size can be one of them.

You are the one attacking people, ridiculing people over a potential purchase of a product that is yet to be announced. Not exactly healthy is it?

 

[Lounge vibes 05]

Right, people's phones are toys.

I mean, let’s assume that they are. It’s not correct, but let’s just assume that that is the case.
People spend hundreds and hundreds of dollars every year on video games. Almost $1000 on the console they’re going to play those games on. Anywhere from $500 to thousands and thousands of dollars on the television that they’re going to use to play those games.
And they only use that video game console when they’re at home, when they’re not working, or when their time isn’t being occupied by something else. And yet they still spend all that money on those video games.
Same goes for most other hobbies. Go to the gym? You’re spending hundreds of dollars a year on a membership.
Enjoy messing with cars of any type? That’s thousands and thousands of dollars in parts.
Enjoy listening to music? Vinyl LPs are not cheap, you’re looking at on average $60 a pop. The Beatles are putting out a box set in October, over $200 for alternate copies of the same album.
enjoy watching movies? even a digital copy of most movies these days is $25. Or you can sign up for streaming services and again, you’re at least paying hundreds and hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars every year to get access to those streaming services.
Make up and beauty products? Sound equipment? Lawn care?
People spend thousands, and thousands, and thousands of dollars on these activities every single year.


So tell me, why is it so just unfathomable, just absolutely insane, just eye-wateringly ridiculous… To spend money on what the majority of people can agree is likely the most important product of their life. The thing they use to communicate with friends and family, the thing they use to keep up with news and events of the world, their main source of entertainment, the thing that’s pretty much the only way to receive help in an emergency, the thing that’s on their bedside table every single night, and in their pocket every single minute of every single day for the most part.


And I’m not even saying this expensive folding smart phone is for everyone, because it’s not, most people can get by with a significantly more affordable option.
But why is it for this one particular product that people get so up in arms that some people want something a little bit more premium and nice? Where is the outrage when someone spends $1000 for a nice 75 inch OLED TV, instead of sticking with a 32 inch $150 720P thing?