Samsung Unveils New $1,980 Galaxy Fold Smartphone

[Michael Scrip]

Why won't a 4.6" display ain’t gonna cut it if Apple is selling tons of new iPhone 7 and 8 with a 4.7" display and even selling the iPhone SE until recently with a 4" display?

Two words... aspect ratio.

You can't just look at the diagonal size in inches when the screens are different shapes.

4.6" doesn't sound too far from 4.7" and 4.0" in numerical terms.

But when that 4.6" is also a skinny 21:9 aspect ratio... it makes quite a difference.

 

[AlexJoda]

Two words... aspect ratio.

You can't just look at the diagonal size in inches when the screens are different shapes.

4.6" doesn't sound too far from 4.7" and 4.0" in numerical terms.

But when that 4.6" is also a skinny 21:9 aspect ratio... it makes quite a difference.

That's a good explanation. I see what you mean but maybe the front display is not meant to do the things that we do with standard smartphones. For everything that needs a wider display you can unfold it....

 

[Michael Scrip]

That's a good explanation. I see what you mean but maybe the front display is not meant to do the things that we do with standard smartphones. For everything that needs a wider display you can unfold it....

Perhaps... but did Samsung really expect people to open the phone to do normal "phone" things? It should be a phone first, right?

I think people were expecting a phone the size of a Galaxy S9 that unfolds into a larger tablet.

But like I said in another comment... it seems like Samsung started with a tablet... and then figured out how much screen they could put on the leftover area outside.

 

[fourthtunz]

Apple is literally charging $800 for LCD phones.

I think what they're charging for is IOS. I like my XR and IOS..works well with my other apple products.
Ground breaking or revolutionary? nope but they work very well.

 

[spacemnspiff]

The phone looks a big step forward, but I see this as an analog to Note smartphone like of Samsung, a niche phone for use with stylus, limited appeal. Also that one would need a pursue to carry the phone, it's not going to fit in pockets.

I guess with the pricing of this phone, iPhones seem like a bargain, I guess I won't see iPhone price complaints again.

And the notch warriors who had Samsung notched haircut avatars, they probably have their tail between their legs now.

Apple is literally charging $800 for LCD phones.

Samsung should charge half the price of what they are going to charge for this phone because the OS is free and add on top of that, Google should be subsidizing the price so as to collect data, why should Google keep all the spoils from data collection.

 

[BigDO]

For a first gen product, this is impressive. Currently, the front bezels are too big, and the phone is too thick, but it's going to be pretty amazing once we have the bezels of current phones, thickness of two current phones when folded.

 

[H3LL5P4WN]

how much money are you going to save exactly? 1500 for the XS Max plus another 1500 for the iPad Pro?

That's not entirely a valid comparison. My maxed out iPad Pro 11 replaces a laptop for approximately the same price. My XS was like $1300.

So if you bought the Fold that only starts at $1980, you'd still have to buy a laptop.

 

[Timemaster]

Two words... aspect ratio.

You can't just look at the diagonal size in inches when the screens are different shapes.

4.6" doesn't sound too far from 4.7" and 4.0" in numerical terms.

But when that 4.6" is also a skinny 21:9 aspect ratio... it makes quite a difference.

I like that overlay you put up.
In terms of a being skinny I think for most of the things I would want to do on when it is folded form it is great and having the tall vertical space is king. those being things like reading email, Text message and quick information it is great. In things like watching a move or bigger web surfing, games, finding a place on maps yeah I am would want to open it up in the full form.
I know when I had both a table and a phone I would sometimes use my phone for more stuff because I had it with me and did not want to walk across the room to get my tablet. If both were near me I would use my tablet for a lot more things and my phone was related to text messages.
This really puts the folded form focusing on whats best phone only stuff in bette form and for tablet mode it gives you a crap tone more relestated.

It is a cool concept. I am not sure it is worth 2k but hte concept is there. I just hope people get them into a thinner formate and we figure out how to make a good case for it.

 

[DNichter]

I am still not seeing the point of this Frankenstein device. Looks like the worst of two worlds (small phone and small tablet) fused together. I get that Samsung fans get off on new form factors and high numbers, but what is the point if it doesn't actually bring any solid value to someone's life or workflow. Would using this device be somehow better than an S10 and one of the Samsung tablets? I get carrying 1 device instead of two, but if the 1 device isn't actually usable - what is the point?

 

[niun]

I am still not seeing the point of this Frankenstein device. Looks like the worst of two worlds (small phone and small tablet) fused together. I get that Samsung fans get off on new form factors and high numbers, but what is the point if it doesn't actually bring any solid value to someone's life or workflow. Would using this device be somehow better than an S10 and one of the Samsung tablets? I get carrying 1 device instead of two, but if the 1 device isn't actually usable - what is the point?

Maybe the point is moving tech forward rather than stagnating. Someone has got to do it and that someone isn't Apple at the moment.

 

[Onelifenofear]

Get your photocopiers ready, Cupertino!

Why? It's Hideous.

 

[DNichter]

Maybe the point is moving tech forward rather than stagnating. Someone has got to do it and that someone isn't Apple at the moment.

Yea I don't agree, and I am not sure what this has to do with Apple. Since 2013, they have had this fold-able screen tech. I don't necessarily see taking a folding screen and creating a product that isn't better in any way, a step forward. I actually see it as a step backward. As I said, if the device in question isn't actually useful or better than previous devices, I don't see the point in making it. Unless you are desperate to be first with something "new" just for the sake of it.

 

[acalegari]

Apple was the first to build iPhones that bend - Went further with iPads that bend. Samsumg just put them together and changed the word to fold!

 

[G5isAlive]

Maybe the point is moving tech forward rather than stagnating. Someone has got to do it and that someone isn't Apple at the moment.

Apple rarely is the first, but often (not always) the best that makes tech actually usable. A folding phone is not a evolutionary concept, concept has been around for over a decade. But no one has made a foldable smart phone that people will want in large numbers, the Samsung Fold just is not it.

Was apple the first MP3 player? No. But who dominated that market?
Was apple the first notebook computer? No. But who came out with the MacBook Air?
Was apple the first smart watch? No. But what smart watch dominates the market now?
Was apple the first smart phone? No. But who wiped out a whole market to replace it with its own design (now copied)?

if you are going to judge day by day, there will always be slow days, always be fast days. short term thinking.

Apple will make the first foldable smart phone people go wild over.

 

[niun]

Apple will make the first foldable smart phone people go wild over.

Great, I hope they do.. Like I said, needs someone to take that first step doesn't it.

I never thought a few years ago that I'd be in a place where I don't have to cart around a Macbook Air and a Wacom + cables.
Now I have one machine that does everything I need. Tech is wonderful.

 

[MistrSynistr]

A year from now: "Remember that Samsung 'foldable' phone? lol."

 

[partydorm]

Galaxy Fold is SICK! It totally put my XS Max to shame, I'm like holding my grandpa's phone.

 

[Unregistered 4U]

I agree. I think this is a horrible design. Tablet mode is way too small. The best concept so far is the Razr. Folding phones should be to make the footprint smaller, not open to a useless tablet. Awkward to use the keyboard and no s-pen. Just weird.

For the next version, they could include a pen... call it the PenFold.

Running a DangerMouse OS.

Goodnight.

 

[scottmayer87]

Hopefully this (along with the GalaxyBuds and S10 lineup) pushes apple a little bit - it's no secret they've rested on their laurels for a while now, all while drastically increasing prices. This is a good thing for Apple in the long haul.

 

[sparky08]

I'll wait until the price comes down, but I'll definitely get one. There are web sites that I avoid on my phone because the screen is too small. Just about any forum will be better.

Heck, it will be much more enjoyable to surf macrumors on the Galaxy Fold! .

 

[swifty168]

So many comments so I’m sure it’s already been said.
But I think a foldable tablet would be more useful than a phone.
The 12.9” iPad Pro folded in half is just larger than a mini.

 

[chinafbi]

I am still not seeing the point of this Frankenstein device. Looks like the worst of two worlds (small phone and small tablet) fused together. I get that Samsung fans get off on new form factors and high numbers, but what is the point if it doesn't actually bring any solid value to someone's life or workflow. Would using this device be somehow better than an S10 and one of the Samsung tablets? I get carrying 1 device instead of two, but if the 1 device isn't actually usable - what is the point?

I always have a phone with me but not my tablet. So if i own this galaxy fold, i can have a tablet everywhere. Sorry but the ipad will always stay home. Most people are lazy and only use their phone. When this galaxy fold price gets lower next year, the ipad will die.

I would buy this instantly if its around $1000. I dont have extra cash for luxury item so i will have to wait a year or two for it to get to my price point.

 

[NobodyOwens]

There's those who innovate, and then... there's the others... 

And yet, Apple will keep telling people that no-one needs a foldable phone for 2-3 years until they catch up with the technology. Then, they’ll tout it as the next giant leap for mankind, saying something on the lines of “Can't innovate my ass”, while all the Samsung haters will crawl out accusing Samsung of being Apple’s copycat.

That said, I really wish Apple would make a foldable tablet. Not that keen to have to switch to Android, especially since I have invested in a few essential apps that work nicely on iOS but not Android. Then again, I’d Samsung charges 2000 for it on launch, then I’d probably not be able to justify phony the Apple tax. On the upside, I could maybe just buy the new iPad Pro. I hear it can be made to fold with just a wee bit more pressure.

 

[partydorm]

I always have a phone with me but not my tablet. So if i own this galaxy fold, i can have a tablet everywhere. Sorry but the ipad will always stay home. Most people are lazy and only use their phone. When this galaxy fold price gets lower next year, the ipad will die.

I would buy this instantly if its around $1000. I dont have extra cash for luxury item so i will have to wait a year or two for it to get to my price point.

I always have a phone with me but not my tablet. So if i own this galaxy fold, i can have a tablet everywhere. Sorry but the ipad will always stay home. Most people are lazy and only use their phone. When this galaxy fold price gets lower next year, the ipad will die.

I would buy this instantly if its around $1000. I dont have extra cash for luxury item so i will have to wait a year or two for it to get to my price point.

Same here my iPad's been sitting at home forever, Galaxy Fold is a smart alternative and...so long iPads.

 

[1rottenapple]

That's a good explanation. I see what you mean but maybe the front display is not meant to do the things that we do with standard smartphones. For everything that needs a wider display you can unfold it....

Seems kinda inconvenient. I was thinking it’s a compromised experiences if the phone mode isn’t as good as a regular iPhone. I didn’t notice the screen was small. So you’d have to unfold it when you need to use the app. It presents interesting use cases.
[doublepost=1550764238][/doublepost]

And yet, Apple will keep telling people that no-one needs a foldable phone for 2-3 years until they catch up with the technology. Then, they’ll tout it as the next giant leap for mankind, saying something on the lines of “Can't innovate my ass”, while all the Samsung haters will crawl out accusing Samsung of being Apple’s copycat.

That said, I really wish Apple would make a foldable tablet. Not that keen to have to switch to Android, especially since I have invested in a few essential apps that work nicely on iOS but not Android. Then again, I’d Samsung charges 2000 for it on launch, then I’d probably not be able to justify phony the Apple tax. On the upside, I could maybe just buy the new iPad Pro. I hear it can be made to fold with just a wee bit more pressure.

I think the tech is so new that it’s too thick. I can’t imagine bringing this to the gym. Or brining it on a jog.