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Latest Foldable Smartphones Experiencing Failures and Durability Issues
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Samesung will use the idea of Apple's patent. They'll make a small change, and call it their own.
Noone really cares about foldable phones. The idea of having something folding and expecting it to last is just insane. Just like with HDD I want my phone to have the minimal mechanical things as it minimizes the risk of failure. Who in their right mind will buy this is beyond my understanding.
Although, on the other hand, half of the world population is beyond average intelligence so it might actually become another trend
Although, on the other hand, half of the world population is beyond average intelligence so it might actually become another trend
I am still hoping that a company gets there in the end. Would love an iPhone that folds out to an iPad mini, or a watch that opens out to a bigger screen.
Although now that you mention it, car designs have actually evolved to crumple/fold better in crashes to reduce impact forces, and keep drivers in accidents safer
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Foldable smartphones are the latest device trend, and companies that include Motorola and Samsung have released new foldable smartphones over the course of the last few weeks.
The first foldable smartphone from Samsung, the Galaxy Fold, had major durability issues that caused its launch to be delayed. Samsung's newest foldable device, the Galaxy Z Flip, seems to be faring a bit better so far, but there are some complaints about the build quality and problems with the display. The same is true of Motorola's latest smartphone, the RAZR.
Motorola RAZR foldable smartphone, image via Ray Wong
Over the weekend, YouTuber JerryRigEverything tested the durability of the Galaxy Z Flip's display, which is made of a bendable "Ultra Thin Glass" for the first time rather than the plastic material used for the Galaxy Fold.
The testing suggests that the display of the Galaxy Z Flip scratches like plastic and isn't resistant to scratching or other damage. A fingernail on the display was able to make a permanent dent, which is concerning for a smartphone that costs $1,380.
In response to that video, Samsung told CNBC in a statement that the display should be "handled with care" and that it has the same protective layer used in the Galaxy Fold, which perhaps explains some of the scratching.
Another Samsung Galaxy Z Flip user on Twitter got his smartphone, opened the box, opened the phone, and then had it crack right down the middle. He suggests that it could have been due to cold weather.
Cracking at the fold was a problem that plagued the Galaxy Fold, and Samsung does warn against pressing hard on the screen and making sure there's nothing on the screen when it's folded closed, but a crack down the middle right out of the box is unexpected behavior.
The $1,500 Motorola RAZR, another foldable smartphone that came out in February, is also seeing durability issues. Ray Wong from Input over the weekend said that the site's Motorola RAZR has a display that's peeling apart just a week after it was purchased.
The damage is more than just cosmetic - the touchscreen is broken and the warping on the surface makes touches and taps unresponsive. Wong isn't sure what caused the damage, but as with the Galaxy Z Flip crack, he speculates that it could be related to cold temperatures.
There have been a few rumors suggesting Apple is working on foldable display technology, but given the super high price points of foldable displays and the ongoing durability issues that have impacted every foldable smartphone to date, Apple may be planning to hold off on a foldable iPhone.
Apple in early February shared a patent for a foldable device with movable flaps to prevent the display from creasing, and that's the latest that we've heard about an Apple device with foldable display technology.
Interestingly, Apple has also separately patented a self-heating display for a foldable device to prevent damage in cold weather, which seems to be a significant issue for foldable devices at the current time.
Of course, Apple patents a lot of technologies that don't ever come to fruition, so whether or not these patents and other related patents hint at Apple's work on a foldable iPhone remains to be seen. At the current time, there are no rumors indicating a folding iPhone is something that we can expect to see in the near future, and certainly not in 2020. The 2020 iPhone lineup will be similar to the 2019 iPhone lineup, though Apple is planning to implement new technologies like 5G connectivity and 3D cameras.
Article Link: Latest Foldable Smartphones Experiencing Failures and Durability Issues
Technology is not there yet. By a long shot. Simple as that.
But, Samsung, Motorola, et all are glad to see that you pay 1,300 plus to be a beta tester.
Also, supposed that those phones could last a year of use, how much would the resale value be?
Let’s forget the fact that once the galaxy fold was actually released to the public there haven’t been widespread durability issues. Also with the Z flip it’s much to early to tell. One was broken in the box, it was damaged before it ever reached the buyer. However let’s sensationalise this and say the whole product line is rubbish and they will all break.
just because it's possible to make an OLED screen on a bendable substrate doesn't mean it should ever be used on a bendable display
Folding phones - a solution in search of a problem.
Indeed. First and foremost, these are meant to be halo products that draw attention to all of the products downstream. The problem is that they seem to be casting the wrong kind of halo.
foldables - nice concept
implementation - still needs work
glad aapl is just watching and learning at this point
implementation - still needs work
glad aapl is just watching and learning at this point
Technology evolution working as intended. Give it another few years and they will nail the foldable screens. You can't immediately create a perfect foldable screen.
I respectfully disagree. My all time favorite phone was my old RAZR v3 flip-phone. I would really like a modern iPhone to be able to fit in my pocket the way that one did.
Recent history is showing that the tech behind a foldable screen isn't quite there yet, but when it is finally perfected (and when the price drops a bit), I will definitely want one for myself.
i am. or, at least disappointed.
samsung is a good brand. it has very smart people running it.
to be clear: i am not surprised that a foldable phone has problems.
i am surprised that a good brand like samsung would appear to rather be seeking the claim to be 1st to launch such a phone, rather than taking more care about its brand image in total.
The technology involved is NOT READY FOR PRIME TIME. Samsung doesn't really care about longterm use or happy customers. Never have. They just want to LOOK like they are doing something. No matter how bad it is.
I just don’t get it. Ofer the last eight years or so, smartphone makers invested a bunch of effort and R&D into adding durability to smartphones, including fourth generation Gorilla Glass, waterproofing, and steel enclosures.
And now they are going to roll all that back by doing plastic screens with complicated folding mechanisms, a protective film cover, and gaps under the display, and charge over a grand for that??
It’s completely unnecessary and involves way too much compromise. No thanks. Give me a single solid slab that can handle life’s mishaps.
And now they are going to roll all that back by doing plastic screens with complicated folding mechanisms, a protective film cover, and gaps under the display, and charge over a grand for that??
It’s completely unnecessary and involves way too much compromise. No thanks. Give me a single solid slab that can handle life’s mishaps.
So sick of all the complaining. You don’t have to buy their phones people. No one is forcing you. Imagine if people said, a motorized vehicle? Who needs that when there are horses and buggies.
I welcome the attempt at innovation. It can only get better with each iteration. There are people who are going to buy these phones regardless of durability, just for the sake of having the next best, cool thing. Something different. It’s their money and their right.
I don’t think many people will be digging their fingernails into it, poring dirt, rocks and sand on it, or scraping it with nails or diamonds cutters.
If I owned that phone, I’d baby it and enjoy it. Something different... looking forward to v2, v3 etc...
I welcome the attempt at innovation. It can only get better with each iteration. There are people who are going to buy these phones regardless of durability, just for the sake of having the next best, cool thing. Something different. It’s their money and their right.
I don’t think many people will be digging their fingernails into it, poring dirt, rocks and sand on it, or scraping it with nails or diamonds cutters.
If I owned that phone, I’d baby it and enjoy it. Something different... looking forward to v2, v3 etc...
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Samsung phones were bursting into flames not that long ago. "Very smart people" do dumb things ALL THE TIME. It's about more than being a VERY SMART PERSON. Samsung sells really cheap phones (mostly) using commodity technology to people who don't want t spend much on a phone. They want to sell more expensive phones. This is their attempt. And no, the technology is years away from being truly useable.
I’m with you. I’m very excited about the future of this technology. People just like to crap on things, cause, well, it’s the fun thing all the “cool” kids do. it doesn’t fill a need for them personally? The whole thing sucks and should be scrapped.
Things like this, for better or worse, are what pushes technology and other advancements forward.
And to the short-sighted who say it’s a solution looking for a problem? Please, I can’t even relate to that obtuse mindset.
When someone makes a phone that can be folded in to make it smaller, and unfolded out to make a tablet - then we are getting somewhere.