Samsung Debuts New Fifth-Generation Foldable Galaxy Z Smartphones

[Abazigal]

Ah Apples tenet of simplicity...

With their eight models of iPhone and six different iPads ..

Which doesn’t apply to their principle of product design. I don’t get what you are trying to prove by conflating the two.

Their stance is clear - a phone is a phone, and a tablet is a tablet. Merging the two also gives you the worst of both worlds. You have a thicker device (when folded), while losing the ability to take advantage of that thickness to include a better camera. The hinge / crease is also an additional point of failure, and the cost remains prohibitive.

Keeping the two separate allows Apple to make the best smartphone possible, as well as the best tablet possible. I really don’t see the point of the galaxy flip (it’s a normal phone that folds in half?). The fold is great for viewing photos and reading pdf documents, but the moment my friend and I returned from an overseas trip, her galaxy fold’s screen promptly died. And battery life was so-so.

On a side note, what’s up with that green line on Samsung phones? I seem to be seeing more of this occurrence around me, and I am surprised Samsung has been allowed to get away with it for as long as they have. This would have been a massive fiasco for Apple by now. 🫤

 

[bobcomer]

On a side note, what’s up with that green line on Samsung phones? I seem to be seeing more of this occurrence around me, and I am surprised Samsung has been allowed to get away with it for as long as they have. This would have been a massive fiasco for Apple by now. 🫤

What green line? I haven't even heard of samsung's having that problem. Doing a google search I see it and it's just like the iPhone problem recently.

How to Fix Green Lines on iPhone Screen? [9 Useful Tricks]

Why are there green lines on your iPhone? How do you fix green lines on the iPhone screen? You can browse this article to find the desired answer.

www.coolmuster.com

That's probably something to do with both having samsung amoled screens and a software bug.

 

[Abazigal]

What green line? I haven't even heard of samsung's having that problem. Doing a google search I see it and it's just like the iPhone problem recently.

How to Fix Green Lines on iPhone Screen? [9 Useful Tricks]

Why are there green lines on your iPhone? How do you fix green lines on the iPhone screen? You can browse this article to find the desired answer.

www.coolmuster.com

That's probably something to do with both having samsung amoled screens and a software bug.

I ask because it’s an occurrence I am seeing more and more around me.

S'pore Man In Disbelief Over S$500 Quote For Repairs After Samsung Galaxy Note20 Shows Green Lines

A man in Singapore was told by Samsung staff that they cannot replace his phone screen for free after green lines developed.

mustsharenews.com

It started with a colleague at work (she’s not doing anything about it because the repair shop is charging her $500 for it and she plans to upgrade her phone soon, ironically to the fold 5, but to each their own). Then it was my neighbour, and I am spotting the odd phone here and there in public with similar issues.

For all the crap we give Apple, at least their customer service is top notch. Samsung seems to be dropping the ball in that regard (did they even have a ball to drop to begin with).

 

[bobcomer]

For all the crap we give Apple, at least their customer service is top notch. Samsung seems to be dropping the ball in that regard (did they even have a ball to drop to begin with).

I haven't seen it, but yes, I agree that Apple is much better at customer service if something goes wrong. (at least if it's in the period where it's covered by warrantee or apple care, after that, not so much difference.)

 

[_Spinn_]

Looks cool but I don’t trust the foldable hardware to be reliable.

 

[spinedoc77]

Who wants a tablet in their pocket, is there really much market for such a thing.

Apparently so, Samsung has sold millions of them and greatly increases sales every year, and many other phone makers are getting on board with their own foldables. I'm not saying they are taking over the market or anything, but selling millions of them is obviously significant.

 

[spinedoc77]

Don't sell yourself short. You just didn't make a point was all, but I bet if you keep trying, your kindergartner will be proud!

Yep, don't sell yourself long, trust me my kindergartner got the point the first time I showed him. (hint: he realized his iPad mini won't fit into his pocket, damn I gave the answer away).

 

[spinedoc77]

I ask because it’s an occurrence I am seeing more and more around me.

S'pore Man In Disbelief Over S$500 Quote For Repairs After Samsung Galaxy Note20 Shows Green Lines

A man in Singapore was told by Samsung staff that they cannot replace his phone screen for free after green lines developed.

mustsharenews.com

It started with a colleague at work (she’s not doing anything about it because the repair shop is charging her $500 for it and she plans to upgrade her phone soon, ironically to the fold 5, but to each their own). Then it was my neighbour, and I am spotting the odd phone here and there in public with similar issues.

For all the crap we give Apple, at least their customer service is top notch. Samsung seems to be dropping the ball in that regard (did they even have a ball to drop to begin with).

That's still anecdotal, which verges on useless. I can tell you about my wife's iPhone 13 pro and how it started heating up and malfunctioning, I can tell you about Apple's customer service when the Apple store rep said it was my wife's fault because she was wearing a UFC t-shirt and shouldn't bring the phone to the gym and I can also tell you about the Apple store manager who backed her up and sent my wife away with no replacement or repair. Eventually my wife got it replaced, no questions asked, at Verizon under the 1 year warranty. But that's just an anecdotal story and shouldn't necessarily reflect on the vast majority of consumer's experiences. Same as foldables, if there were an epidemic of green lines, cracked screens, etc the media would be having a heyday like they did when Note 7's were blowing up.

PS: I have had plenty of failures on Apple devices, anecdotally I'd say more than 3 generations of Z Folds, but again just anecdotal. The one repair I needed on my Fold 4, replacing the camera lens cover because I dropped it, was done very quickly with no issues at a Samsung experience center about 30 minutes away.

 

[bobcomer]

Yep, don't sell yourself long, trust me my kindergartner got the point the first time I showed him. (hint: he realized his iPad mini won't fit into his pocket, damn I gave the answer away).

It really is that simple. It's amazing why some people reject that explanation.

 

[Mrkevinfinnerty]

Which doesn’t apply to their principle of product design. I don’t get what you are trying to prove by conflating the two.

Their stance is clear - a phone is a phone, and a tablet is a tablet. Merging the two also gives you the worst of both worlds. You have a thicker device (when folded), while losing the ability to take advantage of that thickness to include a better camera. The hinge / crease is also an additional point of failure, and the cost remains prohibitive.

Keeping the two separate allows Apple to make the best smartphone possible, as well as the best tablet possible. I really don’t see the point of the galaxy flip (it’s a normal phone that folds in half?). The fold is great for viewing photos and reading pdf documents, but the moment my friend and I returned from an overseas trip, her galaxy fold’s screen promptly died. And battery life was so-so.

On a side note, what’s up with that green line on Samsung phones? I seem to be seeing more of this occurrence around me, and I am surprised Samsung has been allowed to get away with it for as long as they have. This would have been a massive fiasco for Apple by now. 🫤

If that is Apple stance, why have they turned the iPad into a really bad laptop? why not keep them separate and make the best tablet and the best laptop instead of this awkward looking thing? Looks like the worst of both worlds to me.

 

[JiggyJaggy]

Does anyone know if the Fold 4 and hopefully Fold 5 will be able to connect to a USB-c monitor to in effect mirror the Fold's screen for easier use if you are using it all day?

 

[Abazigal]

If that is Apple stance, why have they turned the iPad into a really bad laptop? why not keep them separate and make the best tablet and the best laptop instead of this awkward looking thing? Looks like the worst of both worlds to me.

It’s still the world’s best tablet when you are not using it with the Smart Keyboard, which is what I am doing.

One single accessory changes nothing.

 

[Mrkevinfinnerty]

It’s still the world’s best tablet when you are not using it with the Smart Keyboard, which is what I am doing.

One single accessory changes nothing.

Apple will do this at some point, if these devices become popular enough they will ship a foldable.

The argument that they are taking some kind of principled stance seems a bit weak, a bit of an excuse because Apple are selling eight models of iPhone that all have the same form factor while the competition are doing something inrteresting and different.

Don't get me wrong I've been using iPhones since the 3G but it's nice to see someone doing something interesting with smartphone hardware.

 

[Abazigal]

Apple will do this at some point, if these devices become popular enough they will ship a foldable.

The argument that they are taking some kind of principled stance seems a bit weak, a bit of an excuse because Apple are selling eight models of iPhone that all have the same form factor while the competition are doing something inrteresting and different.

Don't get me wrong I've been using iPhones since the 3G but it's nice to see someone doing something interesting with smartphone hardware.

Perhaps.

My observation is that Apple is making a bet on wearables (namely the vision pro) over foldables. We have already seen both Apple and Samsung show their hands. Now it’s up to the market to decide who had made the right bet in the future of mobile technology.

Meanwhile, we are seeing the same denial / skepticism phase play out over at the vision pro corner. People claim they want a larger display, yet mock a device which offers a wider field of view than even the largest monitor.

Second, I maintain that foldables remain flawed from a design perspective. I don’t deny there are people who would benefit tremendously from such a form factor (similar to the surface pro hybrid design). I just don’t think there is enough to let it catch on the way phablets have. It’s been what? 4 years since the first fold was released? Any Apple product with such an abysmal adoption rate would have long been written off as a failure.

Lastly, that the competition doing something interesting and different doesn’t meant it will succeed. It just means somebody is doing something different. I have no skin in this game, but I feel people really need to stop grading Samsung on a curve. Enough of this “at least they are innovating” rhetoric and start being more honest and critical of their efforts.

 

[bobcomer]

Does anyone know if the Fold 4 and hopefully Fold 5 will be able to connect to a USB-c monitor to in effect mirror the Fold's screen for easier use if you are using it all day?

It does, but I think you need a usb-c to hdmi cable. (or use chromecast)

 

[ninethirty]

Yep, don't sell yourself long, trust me my kindergartner got the point the first time I showed him. (hint: he realized his iPad mini won't fit into his pocket, damn I gave the answer away).

It's amusing to me that you're trying to suggest that your kindergartner has somehow figured out something that Apple hasn't.

No offense to your child, but they aren't smarter than Apple.

Folding a phone doesn't somehow make it smaller. It makes it thicker. And people don't want to put a brick in their pocket so they can also have an iPad mini for some reason.

It's a solution in search of a problem, and always has been. Perhaps the reason your kindergartner child "got it" is because kids are easily amused and think bigger is better.

 

[Mrkevinfinnerty]

Perhaps.

My observation is that Apple is making a bet on wearables (namely the vision pro) over foldables. We have already seen both Apple and Samsung show their hands. Now it’s up to the market to decide who had made the right bet in the future of mobile technology.

Meanwhile, we are seeing the same denial / skepticism phase play out over at the vision pro corner. People claim they want a larger display, yet mock a device which offers a wider field of view than even the largest monitor.

Second, I maintain that foldables remain flawed from a design perspective. I don’t deny there are people who would benefit tremendously from such a form factor (similar to the surface pro hybrid design). I just don’t think there is enough to let it catch on the way phablets have. It’s been what? 4 years since the first fold was released? Any Apple product with such an abysmal adoption rate would have long been written off as a failure.

Lastly, that the competition doing something interesting and different doesn’t meant it will succeed. It just means somebody is doing something different. I have no skin in this game, but I feel people really need to stop grading Samsung on a curve. Enough of this “at least they are innovating” rhetoric and start being more honest and critical of their efforts.

I don't think it's the field of view that people take issue with, I think it's wandering about like with some big visor on like an extra from star wars with a battery hanging from the back of your head. I think people probably just think that wouldn't be convenient.

So you are thinking that people are going to adopt bulky headsets ahead of foldable mobile devices?

 

[spinedoc77]

It's amusing to me that you're trying to suggest that your kindergartner has somehow figured out something that Apple hasn't.

No offense to your child, but they aren't smarter than Apple.

Folding a phone doesn't somehow make it smaller. It makes it thicker. And people don't want to put a brick in their pocket so they can also have an iPad mini for some reason.

It's a solution in search of a problem, and always has been. Perhaps the reason your kindergartner child "got it" is because kids are easily amused and think bigger is better.

It's not necessarily that it's smaller (although it is much smaller than an iPad mini by volume for example, and certainly much smaller than an iPad mini AND an iPhone together), it's that it's more portable and fits into a pocket, do try and keep up with the simpler Kindergartner aspects. Apparently "people" do in fact want to put these into their pockets based on sales. No they aren't taking over the smarthphone world (arguably not yet at least, although personally I think eventually we will see more form factors like rollables), and no one is saying they are, but it's OBVIOUS that MILLIONS (and greatly rising each generation) of "people" do in fact want to put these into their pockets and utilize it for the solution of carrying around a larger screen in their pocket.

But again I don't think there is much reasoning with you if you can't see the obvious. If the solution isn't solving YOUR problem then it's useless right? No, the reason my kindergartner child "got it" is because it's so obvious even a child can see the utility. The reason I "got it" is because I want to enjoy a tablet sized screen but when I'm done with it put it into my pocket and forget about it. The reason you don't "got it" is simply because you are stubborn and refuse to see that some consumers would find utility in it just because you don't.

 

[ofarlig]

It's amusing to me that you're trying to suggest that your kindergartner has somehow figured out something that Apple hasn't.

No offense to your child, but they aren't smarter than Apple.

Folding a phone doesn't somehow make it smaller. It makes it thicker. And people don't want to put a brick in their pocket so they can also have an iPad mini for some reason.

It's a solution in search of a problem, and always has been. Perhaps the reason your kindergartner child "got it" is because kids are easily amused and think bigger is better.

Have you owned a Fold? My guess is no since you call it a brick, the Fold 5 is 13 grams heavier than my iPhone 14 Pro Max and a hair over 1.5x as thick while having a smaller footprint. So it is no brick in the pocket compared to my iPhone.

 

[super chimp]

Initial review of the Flip 5:

 

[Heat_Fan89]

I used Samsung for a while and never again. They amount of bloatware are crazy. The whole feel of it all is...cheap. It looks cheap and feels cheap.

Android are obviously a great OS, no denying that. But what Samsung does with it and with their products are not the greatest showcase for it. It baffles me that Samsung are such a big player in the phone/tablet business.

Hmm, I own an S7+ tablet and the design and build quality ranks right up there with Apple’s best iPad Pro tablets. All aluminum chassis’, OLED displays with 120Hz refresh rate, insane audio. Ultra smooth response and OneUI is a really nice Android skin. They also have increased product software support. The only knock I can throw at Samsung is the inclusion of their own redundant apps.

 

[Mrkevinfinnerty]

Hmm, I own an S7+ tablet and the design and build quality ranks right up there with Apple’s best iPad Pro tablets. All aluminum chassis’, OLED displays with 120Hz refresh rate, insane audio. Ultra smooth response and OneUI is a really nice Android skin. They also have increased product software support. The only knock I can throw at Samsung is the inclusion of their own redundant apps.

Lets be honest Apple do this aswell

 

[spinedoc77]

Have you owned a Fold? My guess is no since you call it a brick, the Fold 5 is 13 grams heavier than my iPhone 14 Pro Max and a hair over 1.5x as thick while having a smaller footprint. So it is no brick in the pocket compared to my iPhone.

And that's ignoring the other players. Google's is 12.1mm, and going outside of the US hints at what's coming: Mate X3 11.8mm and Honor Magic V2 is a crazy 9.9mm which is only 2mm thicker than a 14 pro max!

 

[ninethirty]

Have you owned a Fold? My guess is no since you call it a brick, the Fold 5 is 13 grams heavier than my iPhone 14 Pro Max and a hair over 1.5x as thick while having a smaller footprint. So it is no brick in the pocket compared to my iPhone.

My wife's sister owns one. Not only was it a hideous looking phone, but yes, it becomes thicker, more thick than I want a phone to be, and when expanded, it had a lovely seam that was both visibly noticeable, but also noticeable to the touch.

Foldable phones are a solution in search of a problem.

 

[ninethirty]

It's not necessarily that it's smaller (although it is much smaller than an iPad mini by volume for example, and certainly much smaller than an iPad mini AND an iPhone together), it's that it's more portable and fits into a pocket, do try and keep up with the simpler Kindergartner aspects. Apparently "people" do in fact want to put these into their pockets based on sales. No they aren't taking over the smarthphone world (arguably not yet at least, although personally I think eventually we will see more form factors like rollables), and no one is saying they are, but it's OBVIOUS that MILLIONS (and greatly rising each generation) of "people" do in fact want to put these into their pockets and utilize it for the solution of carrying around a larger screen in their pocket.

But again I don't think there is much reasoning with you if you can't see the obvious. If the solution isn't solving YOUR problem then it's useless right? No, the reason my kindergartner child "got it" is because it's so obvious even a child can see the utility. The reason I "got it" is because I want to enjoy a tablet sized screen but when I'm done with it put it into my pocket and forget about it. The reason you don't "got it" is simply because you are stubborn and refuse to see that some consumers would find utility in it just because you don't.

Yeah, I'm aware, but I don't need an iPad mini in my pocket. Most people don't. A phone is the perfect size for me to be able to accomplish tasks when I'm not around a desktop. I am not interested in having to stuff a brick into my pocket so that a tiny portion of the population can unfold their phone into a ridiculous sized tablet.

>No they aren't taking over the smarthphone world

All you needed to say.

>No, the reason my kindergartner child "got it"

No, the reason your kindergartner child "got it" is because kids are attracted to juvenile, non practical ideas, and to them, bigger is better. Most adults know that isn't the case.

Foldable phones are a solution in search of a problem, and Apple is never going to make you one. So enjoy the stupid hinge, the crease, and the brick you'll have to put in your pocket. Eventually Samsung will stop making them also, and you'll be the guy screaming about his Blackberry, er foldable phone, in 2015.