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Kuo: Apple to Launch 8-Inch Foldable iPhone in 2023
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Apple still has >25% market share? I thought it’s long been <15%.Why Call Android users Stupid?
Take a look at this chart. Android still has almost 73 percent of the mobile OS Market.
Mobile Operating System Market Share Worldwide | Statcounter Global Stats
This graph shows the market share of mobile operating systems worldwide based on over 5 billion monthly page views.gs.statcounter.com
Today? Maybe. Do you realize how crappy the first iPhone was as well?
Yet look at the Huawei Mate X2. It’s showing a very positive progress for foldable tech.
Apple is not doing this now, Apple is waiting for the right moment when the tech improves. The same with high refresh rate. Apple is waiting for LTPO OLED panels with variable refresh rate instead of the older tech many Android phones have been using.
This thread reminds me of how people on this forum reacted to the original iPad's release. 
A foldable iPhone will do extremely well. As will a foldable iPad mini. Here are some types of people who could benefit from foldable devices:
1. tactile people who want to attach a physical keyboard to their phone. If a phone can fold in more than one place, it's possible to pick a phone that can attach to keyboards, gaming controllers, and yet still be foldable to protect the accessory *and* decrease the size of the device.
2. parents who want to save some money and would rather buy a slightly more expensive phone that folds into an iPad
3. travelling sales people and real estate agents who want to keep their bag light. Swapping between phone and tablet becomes easy.
4. Multi-ipad users for whom multiple screens is a substitute for multiple notebook sizes. One could have a large iPad, and a phone that flips out into a mini iPad, giving the equivalent of an a4, a5, and a6 pocket notebook all in just two devices.
A foldable iPhone will do extremely well. As will a foldable iPad mini. Here are some types of people who could benefit from foldable devices:
1. tactile people who want to attach a physical keyboard to their phone. If a phone can fold in more than one place, it's possible to pick a phone that can attach to keyboards, gaming controllers, and yet still be foldable to protect the accessory *and* decrease the size of the device.
2. parents who want to save some money and would rather buy a slightly more expensive phone that folds into an iPad
3. travelling sales people and real estate agents who want to keep their bag light. Swapping between phone and tablet becomes easy.
4. Multi-ipad users for whom multiple screens is a substitute for multiple notebook sizes. One could have a large iPad, and a phone that flips out into a mini iPad, giving the equivalent of an a4, a5, and a6 pocket notebook all in just two devices.
Exactly. People dont see the use case for this but it’s huge. Same thing was the original iPhone. Nobody thought they would want a no keyboard touch screen device saying it’s stupid. The possibilities of a well done foldable is huge.This thread reminds me of how people on this forum reacted to the original iPad's release.
A foldable iPhone will do extremely well. As will a foldable iPad mini. Here are some types of people who could benefit from foldable devices:
1. tactile people who want to attach a physical keyboard to their phone. If a phone can fold in more than one place, it's possible to pick a phone that can attach to keyboards, gaming controllers, and yet still be foldable to protect the accessory *and* decrease the size of the device.
2. parents who want to save some money and would rather buy a slightly more expensive phone that folds into an iPad
3. travelling sales people and real estate agents who want to keep their bag light. Swapping between phone and tablet becomes easy.
4. Multi-ipad users for whom multiple screens is a substitute for multiple notebook sizes. One could have a large iPad, and a phone that flips out into a mini iPad, giving the equivalent of an a4, a5, and a6 pocket notebook all in just two devices.
Why is the book folding option the only thing that comes to mind when thinking of foldable screens.
Oppo made a great prototype with a rolling screen late 2020 which solves many problems with dust accumulation and center folding crease for the initial foldable phones.
This could be a great idea for larger screen possibilities whiteout increasing product size (though the motorized enlarging mechanism can be swapped with a simple manual one)
Oppo made a great prototype with a rolling screen late 2020 which solves many problems with dust accumulation and center folding crease for the initial foldable phones.
This could be a great idea for larger screen possibilities whiteout increasing product size (though the motorized enlarging mechanism can be swapped with a simple manual one)
What a bunch of FUD, seriously. I can understand if the paradigm isn't for you, I can understand if you don't like the crease, the thickness, etc. But don't spread FUD around with no basis in fact. I've been using mine since release and it's quite durable. The Fold 1 has been rated to at least 200k folds, that's 100 folds/day for 5 years: https://www.anandtech.com/show/14136/samsung-galaxy-fold-can-foldunfold-for-200000-times The Fold 2 is more robust and I would bet it would fold even more, plus has a stronger and more dust proof hinge.
It does have it's drawbacks, lack of IP rating, screen can scratch easier, folding mechanism has moving parts, etc. The inner screen itself is not anywhere as delicate as some make it out to be. I've used it without a screen protector now for months and I'm pretty rough with my phones, not a scratch on it at all. I fold/unfold it a ton, if I counted I would not be surprised if I unfolded/folded it 50-100 times per day, it's quite durable.
Lastly it's inane to throw out the entire paradigm based on one iteration. Apple may decide to go with a rollable display, or them may invent something entirely new, who knows. We will have to wait and see what they release and base that on its own merits. I should expect that level of FUD from the "Samsung copies Apple" brigade, which is just pure and utter nonsense as all these companies copy from each other liberally.
My Fold 2 has served a great purpose for myself, that is of having a tablet sized screen that fits into my pocket. The crease I don't see anymore and it doesn't affect functionality in the least, with that said I still acknowledge that it is a negative, but personally it just doesn't bother me in the least. You also forgot about other types such as rollable phones, throwing out an entire paradigm because of a single companies iteration makes no sense.
Um, does this ring a bell?
Apple Inc. v. Samsung Electronics Co. - Wikipedia
I’m not spreading FUD. I’m glad you personally are having a good experience with your Samsung folding phone. But the reviewers that literally had the devices fall apart within days were not lying. The delays in releasing it were not made up. The sales figures are abysmal. The price is extremely high. As much as a few people might like it, the device clearly wasn’t ready for prime time.
And I did not call for throwing out the paradigm... I just said I don’t know about the veracity of the rumor.
So you choose to ignore the fact you have a crease in the middle of your display or it's not there?
Was the first iPhone crappy???? It's was revolutionary at its time. Ahead of the game in every way.
It shocked and blew the industry to pieces and forced the entire competition to pivot to keep up. Those who didn't, crashed and burned. (Anyone remember Blackberry?)
Do people care that much about flexible displays? Nah.
Um, does this ring a bell?
Apple Inc. v. Samsung Electronics Co. - Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org
I’m not spreading FUD. I’m glad you personally are having a good experience with your Samsung folding phone. But the reviewers that literally had the devices fall apart within days were not lying. The delays in releasing it were not made up. The sales figures are abysmal. The price is extremely high. As much as a few people might like it, the device clearly wasn’t ready for prime time.
And I did not call for throwing out the paradigm... I just said I don’t know about the veracity of the rumor.
I've seen plenty of good reviews on the Fold 2 as well, which ones had the "devices fall apart within days" ? I'm not saying these reviews don't exist, I just would like to read them myself and see how they categorized a phone falling apart. In my personal experience it's quite durable and there is nothing on it at all that feels it will "fall apart" and it's far from "junk", but I can only speak for my own experiences.
I do agree the device isn't quite ready for the mass market, but every paradigm has to start somewhere and the sales have been progressively better. It IS a niche product currently, but as prices go down and the negatives improve (such as durability, crease, IP rating, etc) the sales will pick up. Not necessarily the sales for the Fold lineup itself, but the entire paradigm of foldable phones. Personally I feel that when Samsung comes up with something better they will ditch the "foldable" mechanism. We saw the same thing when phones started getting larger, first the naysayers with the Note line, then gradual adoption and now pretty much most phones are phablet sized.
With that said let me get something clear, I am not defending the Fold lineup itself, other than in the durability FUD I see spread so often. What I believe will be a game changer is the entire paradigm of having a tablet sized screen that "shrinks" to fit into your pocket. However that "shrinkage" (no Seinfeld reference intended here) occurs will continuously evolve and change until one or a few iterations rise to the top. Whether that's folding, rolling, or another invention who knows.
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No, I'm saying what most reviewers are saying, after a few minutes you don't even notice the crease. Once again, as I said before, I'm not saying the crease isn't a negative, it is, it's just negligible in my personal opinion and the benefits far outweigh it.
I’m not surprised. There were MP3 players for years before iPod came along (I remember rolling around with my Arkos Jukebox that weighed more than a brick. Man — good times)
I don’t know much about the Fold 2. Since the discussion was about being “first” into the market, I was referring to the original Samsung Galaxy Fold. I’m glad they made some improvements in the 2nd generation, but we all agree it is a niche device. Thanks for clearing things up and sharing your experience.
So, being “first” didn’t suddenly give Samsung market dominance. If the device was incredible, then being first would’ve been huge for them. But since it wasn’t very good, being “first” turned out to be a drawback. Now people associate Galaxy Fold with the pictures from well-respected reviewers of its screen peeling off within a week.
This should be a lesson to all those that insist Apple be “first” at everything in order to be successful.
I don't think there is that association at all, but just like you that's only my personal opinion and I can't say I have stats to back that up. The Fold 1 was quite durable as well, I'm not sure I read any reviews of it falling apart other than the very first review units that sites like The Verge covered, but Samsung delayed the release after that and fixed those screen issues.
I also am not arguing market dominance, the device is very expensive and has its foibles which make it a niche product currently, and maybe a niche product forever if IMO the "folding" mechanism never takes off. That still doesn't change my point that it's not "junk" and it doesn't "fall apart" You make great points about why the Fold lineup will never be great and I don't disagree with you, but I also highly disagree at the other end of the spectrum that it's a total hunk of junk.
Apple not being first is what they are known for, and IMO means we should indeed be excited they are thinking about releasing a folding phone. Although that whole "folding" nomer I personally think is not good, they really need to come up with an all inclusive term for the entire paradigm of "shrinking" phones regardless of how they accomplish that shrinking.
There were numerous articles about the fragility of the original Fold, even after the delay and “fixes." Samsung themselves admitted as such and put multiple warnings in the box and even created a video warning people to handle it with extreme caution.
Still tempted by a Galaxy Fold? The many, many warnings in the box might put you off
If the debacle earlier this year didn't already put you off, perhaps the number of warnings you’ll get when you try to purchase the new Galaxy Fold will.
www.trustedreviews.com
There were numerous articles about the fragility of the original Fold, even after the delay and “fixes." Samsung themselves admitted as such and put multiple warnings in the box and even created a video warning people to handle it with extreme caution.
Still tempted by a Galaxy Fold? The many, many warnings in the box might put you off
If the debacle earlier this year didn't already put you off, perhaps the number of warnings you’ll get when you try to purchase the new Galaxy Fold will.
View attachment 1769667
IMO Samsung was being overly careful. Even the original issues prior to the release delay were the reviewers removing something that should not have been removed, although I can't blame them due to Samsung's poor communication. I would think that any of the warnings on that sticker would apply to any current phone screen, although much more to the softer Fold 1 screen. But it still doesn't make the Fold 1 "junk" or show it "falls apart" Saying the Fold 1 needs "extreme care" is an exaggeration, yes it does need more care than a glass screen when open, but it still was pretty durable. In some ways the Fold lineup is actually more durable in that when it's closed the inner screen is much more protected than a regular phone.
In any event even if it did that's old news so I'm not quite sure why it's relevant, there has been a new model out for several months now with substantial durability improvements. If I was personally judging how worthy a product was of my money I'd be looking at the current iteration.
This is Apple we are talking about here. They don’t come to market if they don’t have something worth it.
last 10 years of Apple anyway.
As I mentioned before, I was replying to those who insisted that being first is so important. Thus, discussing the first foldable phone is what I am focusing on. I’m not discussing whether or not anybody should buy the current Galaxy Fold iteration.
And to be clear: those warnings (on the original Galaxy Fold) absolutely do NOT apply to all current phone screens. Take iPhones for example. Their screens aren’t plastic. They are water resistant and dust resistant. Their phones don’t come with warnings about putting metal items or credit cards into the same pocket. Apple has commercials about your phone surviving a fall or getting dirty/wet when you’re cooking. In contrast, Samsung dedicated a video to protecting their fragile foldable phone.
Yeah but my main point is that the Fold isn't "junk" and doesn't "fall apart", that applies to the 1st and 2nd iterations and the exaggeration/FUD just really turns one off to having an adult debate. Personally I would heed all those warnings for any phone screen. Apple can put out all the commercials they want, but will they honor their warranty exchange if your phone shows it has been exposed to water? In my experience if they see the water indicator pink/red they are going to deny warranty service, that's happened to me before. They were sued for it and lost before, and there are current lawsuits ongoing as well. On screen durability my iPhones have tons of microscratches and lifting of the oleophobic coating, does Apple honor the warranty if you say you got the scratches from coins in your pocket? On my Fold 2 there are zero blemishes. Both are treated the same way.
But again, it doesn't change my position that the Fold 1/2 are not "junk" and do not "fall apart"