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Samsung Debuts New Fifth-Generation Foldable Galaxy Z Smartphones

steve09090 said:
With regard to fragility, or rather, damage. Surely the inside screen is likely to suffer being soft plastic?
Click to expand...
There's a screen protector, but that can be replaced -- the screen itself is ultra thin glass with a polymer substrate, it's not near as fragile as people say. Sure, if you try and break it you probably can, but you can do the same on an iPhone.

I personally have never even seen a scratch on my foldables, but I have on my iPhones, keys and phone in same pocket. It doesn't happen with my flip because when it's closed, the screen is fully protected.
 
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Abazigal said:
In fine print, at the bottom of the website, these foldable devices are more than twice as thick as the iPhone.
Click to expand...
Uh no.

iPhone 14 Pro: Thickness - 7.85 mm, 2x 15.7 mm

Flip 5 thickness folded: 15.1 mm

Fold 5 thickness folded: 13.4 mm.

Like I said, no, it's not more than twice as thick, its less than twices as thick.
Abazigal said:
Folding phones offer a larger screen, with the caveat that the user has to unfold and fold them every time. It’s still a design issue however I think about it.
Click to expand...
Not unless you can do what you need on the front screen. So not every time.
 
bobcomer said:
There's a screen protector, but that can be replaced -- the screen itself is ultra thin glass with a polymer substrate, it's not near as fragile as people say. Sure, if you try and break it you probably can, but you can do the same on an iPhone.

I personally have never even seen a scratch on my foldables, but I have on my iPhones, keys and phone in same pocket. It doesn't happen with my flip because when it's closed, the screen is fully protected.
Click to expand...

More details: The newer models of the Fold don't need the screen protector. If it starts to peel, you can replace it (via a Samsung store or many Best Buys) or just leave if off.
 
Abazigal said:
I can think of a number of reasons.

1) Since flip/fold smartphones need to include a competitive camera, there is a hard limit as to how thin Samsung can make them when unfolded. Samsung does not draw attention to the device’s thickness. In fine print, at the bottom of the website, these foldable devices are more than twice as thick as the iPhone.
Price.

2) Folding phones offer a larger screen, with the caveat that the user has to unfold and fold them every time. It’s still a design issue however I think about it.

3) Pricing and the lack of tablet app support for android continue to represent a barrier to adoption.

4) I feel it goes against Apple’s tenet of simplicity. Apple devices tend to have a singular goal, and everything deemed superfluous or unnecessary is stripped out. A folding device contradicts those design fundamentals, because it requires you to make design choices that end up compromising both sides.

I don’t see folding phones ever being anything more than a niche product category. We are looking more at a curved screen sort of paradigm rather than the next phablet.
Click to expand...

1) Not twice as thick anymore, some foldables are more around 25% thicker.

2) You only unfold it when you need a tablet, so unfolding is comparing to opening up you bag and getting your iPad Mini from the bag you brought just to carry it with you.

3) I agree that the tablet app support is poor on Android, and Android in itself is what is making it hard for me to switch but we are talking about Apple making one here. I might still switch though, because the draw of having a phone that works for more than calling, texting and music is appealing, being able to read ebooks in between meetings or watching a YouTube video while waiting for someone all without having to bring a tablet in a bag.

4) I don’t think that is something Apple does at all. They used to set the pace for technology and now they follow others instead when they see what is popular.


I am sure rollables, foldables or something like that will become the normal before glasses replaces them completely, it is just a matter of time. It is just a much more efficient way of carrying larger displays with you. Large phones was a really niche product before as well.
 
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bobcomer said:
There's a screen protector, but that can be replaced -- the screen itself is ultra thin glass with a polymer substrate, it's not near as fragile as people say. Sure, if you try and break it you probably can, but you can do the same on an iPhone.

I personally have never even seen a scratch on my foldables, but I have on my iPhones, keys and phone in same pocket. It doesn't happen with my flip because when it's closed, the screen is fully protected.
Click to expand...
I thought they were plastic and they do not recommend putting a screen cover on? As far as damaging the screen v the iPhone, I get that the front is glass, which would make it just as strong, but not the inside. I’m getting this from watching Jerryrigeverything who did a tear down. I also understand the hinges are super strong and very hard to damage. They’ve done a good job.
 
bVIOlint said:
Apple never really innovated - unless you count making things consumer friendly innovation. If you want fragile, bleeding edge tech that costs a fortune and has a lot of problems knock yourself out.
What apple does is refine and perfect and make things that can be used by everyone.
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That to me is a form of meaningful innovation. Not specs for spec’s sake, but actual features and a cohesive ecosystem that one can use.
 
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Rafterman said:
Big screen phones were once "niche".
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That was one time that Samsung got lucky, and now people are acting like just because Samsung got it right once, it means that everything else they do must be the next big thing (or at least, nobody seems to dare to call them out).

Conversely, Apple has triumphed in the face of so much cynicism and negativity ever since I became an Apple user. They have gotten more things right than not, and still naysayers are rife.

I really don’t get this apparent double standard.
 
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Rafterman said:
I have almost always had an iPhone as primary, and an Android as secondary. I ordered a Fold 5. This is the first year I am considering the Fold to be primary. For me personally, the Flip looks interesting, but I never have had the need to make an already pocketable phone even smaller. But a pocketable phone that turns into a tablet seems more useful. To each their own.
Click to expand...

The Fold to me seems to be a device in search of a problem to actually resolve. To me it just looks like a more clunky and less functional Galaxy Ultra.
 
steve09090 said:
I thought they were plastic and they do not recommend putting a screen cover on?
Click to expand...
No, not plastic, and it comes with a screen protector already installed.

steve09090 said:
I also understand the hinges are super strong and very hard to damage. They’ve done a good job.
Click to expand...
They're getting there. :)

They still still can be improved quite a lot. Lighter, no "crease", fully water proof, even more functionality out of the front screen without 3rd party mods. That's one of the reasons it's not boring, there's room for improvement.
 
super chimp said:
The Fold to me seems to be a device in search of a problem to actually resolve. To me it just looks like a more clunky and less functional Galaxy Ultra.
Click to expand...

Well, as has been stately numerous times, a tablet in your pocket is the problem solved.
 
steve09090 said:
I thought they were plastic and they do not recommend putting a screen cover on? As far as damaging the screen v the iPhone, I get that the front is glass, which would make it just as strong, but not the inside. I’m getting this from watching Jerryrigeverything who did a tear down. I also understand the hinges are super strong and very hard to damage. They’ve done a good job.
Click to expand...

It's a super-thin glass underneath, not plastic. The first model of the Fold needed the protector. They no longer do. I wouldn't remove it just because, but if it starts to wear over time, nd you don't want to go through the hassle to replace it, then you can just remove it.
 
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super chimp said:
The Fold to me seems to be a device in search of a problem to actually resolve. To me it just looks like a more clunky and less functional Galaxy Ultra.
Click to expand...

The solution might not be YOUR ideal, but it still resolves the problem of having a tablet sized display that fits into your pocket. I totally get those who don't like the crease, or the thickness, or whatever other complaints. I just never really understood the lack of understanding exactly what the problem is that these devices solve for some consumers.
 
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NightFlight said:
I see them all the time in DC and Northern VA. Do you never leave your house?
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I travel fairly frequently and work in a hospital full of high-earners, in Virginia.. Still haven't seen one, or at least someone using one.
 
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Sorinut said:
I travel fairly frequently and work in a hospital full of high-earners, in Virginia.. Still haven't seen one, or at least someone using one.
Click to expand...
I only just saw a Z Flip 4 5 minutes ago in Melbourne airport. I like the look of the v5 but the 4 is chunky and ugly. Looked like something from a steam punk range.
 
spinedoc77 said:
The solution might not be YOUR ideal, but it still resolves the problem of having a tablet sized display that fits into your pocket. I totally get those who don't like the crease, or the thickness, or whatever other complaints. I just never really understood the lack of understanding exactly what the problem is that these devices solve for some consumers.
Click to expand...

Who wants a tablet in their pocket, is there really much market for such a thing.
 
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spinedoc77 said:
Hmm, I guess the big Kindergarten friendly pictures didn't do the trick. You got me, sometimes you just can't make everyone understand the obvious.
Click to expand...

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!
 
Abazigal said:
I can think of a number of reasons.

1) Since flip/fold smartphones need to include a competitive camera, there is a hard limit as to how thin Samsung can make them when unfolded. Samsung does not draw attention to the device’s thickness. In fine print, at the bottom of the website, these foldable devices are more than twice as thick as the iPhone.
Price.

2) Folding phones offer a larger screen, with the caveat that the user has to unfold and fold them every time. It’s still a design issue however I think about it.

3) Pricing and the lack of tablet app support for android continue to represent a barrier to adoption.

4) I feel it goes against Apple’s tenet of simplicity. Apple devices tend to have a singular goal, and everything deemed superfluous or unnecessary is stripped out. A folding device contradicts those design fundamentals, because it requires you to make design choices that end up compromising both sides.

I don’t see folding phones ever being anything more than a niche product category. We are looking more at a curved screen sort of paradigm rather than the next phablet.
Click to expand...

Ah Apples tenet of simplicity...

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