Other So mad at Apple (Galaxy Z Fold7)

[SpotOnT]

It's got zero to do with showing off to others. It's about being able to read PDFs without zooming in, have plenty of room for two full phone-size apps to be open side-by-side, and have it all be the size that when closed the outside screen is an amazing phone all by itself and still thinner than a flagship iPhone.

Sounds like the flip phone is for you!

Might as well start saving for that $2,000+ USD price tag now.

 

[eyoungren]

For me the frustration comes from building up a big ecosystem with products and services from a company that used to push boundaries but has shifted to playing it safe and rehash the same things as last year in a different colour instead.

Sure I can take the hassle and cost to rip out every Apple product and service, but the company changing direction forcing me to do that if I want what I used to get with Apple products is what’s frustrating.

I can understand, but I come from an different viewpoint.

There was a small moment in time where I was going to be all in with Apple and my first iPhone, the iPhone 5. Only at that time, the Apple products I owned were too old to support the iPhone 5. I was forced to seek alternatives to get a similar experience.

That taught me not to put all my eggs in one basket. And I was never involved with Apple in the early days. I didn't convert until 2003, so I missed all the attraction to the brand.

I'm not surprised by Apple's current direction, but because I'm not invested in the ecosystem it does not affect me. All my services are third party, and those Apple services I do use are not in any way critical to how I use my stuff.

This is not a judgment on others, just me laying out how things work for me.

 

[FatLouie]

Samsung and Apple have a symbiotic relationship. Samsung is going to supply the screens for the foldable iPhone. It took Samsung 5 tries to get the screen right. Now that they have they are going to get a massive order from Apple next year. Think of Samsung as Apple’s testing ground.

There is a lot of truth in that statement.

 

[GoodWheaties]

I had both Z Flip and Z Fold before. Foldable is a breakthrough indeed, but for people who wants their phone lasts 4 to 6 years, foldables are not near there at all.

Yep most people I know with foldables have had to replace them at least once due to screen issues (line of green pixels, etc.). Not even from dropping them either.

 

[FatLouie]

I have Macs, iPads, iPhones, Apple Watches and Apple TVs used by me, my wife and 3 kids. Would be a very hard switch!

Once in either system, it is tough to leave. Due to the number of video files I handle daily, I cannot give up Airdrop on any of my Apple devices.

I chuckle when I read or hear users talk about giving up everything Apple, except for one device. I have seen people have a pissy fit, get out of one or the other system, only to return because each component of each system is not compatible with the other system.

 

[JtheLemur]

Apple is rarely, if ever, first to a category. Thinking they should be is to misunderstand Apple as a company. But when they do enter, they bring really cool stuff.

 

[eyoungren]

Once in either system, it is tough to leave. Due to the number of video files I handle daily, I cannot give up Airdrop on any of my Apple devices.

I chuckle when I read or hear users talk about giving up everything Apple, except for one device. I have seen people have a pissy fit, get out of one or the other system, only to return because each component of each system is not compatible with the other system.

This I think is a matter of preference and strategy.

When I got my first iPhone, I had to go with third party services because I owned outdated Apple products (and I still do). Google's services work just fine on an iPhone and on Android. While I like iPhone, I can come and go as I please. I've also had a Yahoo account since 1999, and that works on iPhone. So I could readily convert to Yahoo's services on both platforms.

Both Google and Yahoo work cross platform and on older systems. Apple, not so much.

I use Dropbox as well, a service I've had since around 2009 and predating my purchase of an iPhone by three years. I use it to get photos and videos from my phone to my Macs and PCs.

iMessage can be used on Android by using AirServer. It requires a dedicated 24/7 Mac that can use the Messages app but it works. And back in the day I was jailbreaking to get stuff Apple wouldn't allow. For instance, I've had dark mode on my iPhone since early 2013.

For other things, it just doesn't matter. For instance, nothing sensitive is ever sent by text in my household. Everything of that nature is discussed face to face. If someone were to review my iMessages they'd find a lot of grocery lists.

My point is that you can choose. But until Apple actually locks out third party services on their devices, you aren't bound by that choice.

 

[I7guy]

Yep. Digital assistants, artificial intelligence, online services… apple wasn’t first, but they are the best! 🤣

But they aren’t fully implemented either.

 

[AlphaGuitarist]

A good friend of mine is a huge Samsung fan and has had every iteration of the Fold and the Flip. I’ve had the chance to play around with both variants extensively and, while it’s certainly incredible technology, my OCD would not let me get past the crease. This is not to say that I wouldn’t consider an iPhone Flip, if Apple were to release one. The Fold is way too bulky for my taste.

 

[FatLouie]

This I think is a matter of preference and strategy.

When I got my first iPhone, I had to go with third party services because I owned outdated Apple products (and I still do). Google's services work just fine on an iPhone and on Android. While I like iPhone, I can come and go as I please. I've also had a Yahoo account since 1999, and that works on iPhone. So I could readily convert to Yahoo's services on both platforms.

Both Google and Yahoo work cross platform and on older systems. Apple, not so much.

I use Dropbox as well, a service I've had since around 2009 and predating my purchase of an iPhone by three years. I use it to get photos and videos from my phone to my Macs and PCs.

iMessage can be used on Android by using AirServer. It requires a dedicated 24/7 Mac that can use the Messages app but it works. And back in the day I was jailbreaking to get stuff Apple wouldn't allow. For instance, I've had dark mode on my iPhone since early 2013.

For other things, it just doesn't matter. For instance, nothing sensitive is ever sent by text in my household. Everything of that nature is discussed face to face. If someone were to review my iMessages they'd find a lot of grocery lists.

My point is that you can choose. But until Apple actually locks out third party services on their devices, you aren't bound by that choice.

Many good points, but often, to blend the two systems, one must use 'workarounds' to do so. I can get a video off a Galaxy and into my Studio...but not natively, nor with the ease and convenience of staying in the Apple system.

I used Samsung phones for years, as that was a choice by my company. My company chose them because they could access the OS and add the security 'sets' and company tools they wanted us to use on the phone. Something difficult to do with an Apple device. The phones worked quite well, and I preferred the older Note line more than the newer Galaxy line.

 

[richpjr]

A good friend of mine is a huge Samsung fan and has had every iteration of the Fold and the Flip. I’ve had the chance to play around with both variants extensively and, while it’s certainly incredible technology, my OCD would not let me get past the crease. This is not to say that I wouldn’t consider an iPhone Flip, if Apple were to release one. The Fold is way too bulky for my taste.

I haven't seen one in person, but crease on the new version is supposed to be hard to see now.

 

[edubfromktown]

It's not a matter of it being too difficult to switch, it is much more - why would I switch? The alternatives are not better for my uses.

Whatever works.

I was responding to: "It would be hard to leave the Apple ecosystem".

iPhone 3 through 8 Plus usage was more than enough for me.

Apple still lags behind the competition substantially on hardware quality and performance in my opinion.

• A few lingering 60Hz refresh rate displays, no anti-glare, overall lower brightness (2,000 nits max on 16 Pro/Max)
• Modems are half the performance compared to Exynos 53/5400's (Pixel 9), Qualcomm X75/80 Galaxy (S24/S25)
  • (iPhones are speed-bump limited with QCX71 and no mmWave until “Sinope” or C2 appears in "late 2026")
• Battery life and resiliency remain problematic
• No decent trade-in discounts (which are important for people who BYOD and don't get rope-a-doped into "free upgrade" carrier contracts at a higher monthly overall cost when averaged out over time)

 

[eyoungren]

Many good points, but often, to blend the two systems, one must use 'workarounds' to do so. I can get a video off a Galaxy and into my Studio...but not natively, nor with the ease and convenience of staying in the Apple system.

I used Samsung phones for years, as that was a choice by my company. My company chose them because they could access the OS and add the security 'sets' and company tools they wanted us to use on the phone. Something difficult to do with an Apple device. The phones worked quite well, and I preferred the older Note line more than the newer Galaxy line.

I've worked around things all my life (people and things saying 'NO' to me or denying me without cause), so I suppose it's a comfortable state for me. But yes, versus an integrated feature you are correct.

But that goes to what people do and how they do it I think. I'm not involved in any sort of employment where I need to get video off a device. If I were, then I'd probably be aligned more with you. What I do and how I do it is particular to me, so for others the choice may be more or even less difficult.

This message typed in (as were my other messages in this thread) on a 2009 MacPro running Sonoma 14.7.6. A workaround.

 

[Apple2501]

In terms of simplicity, iOS is awesome. But Samsung hardware is incredible. Apple leans on Samsung for hardware so Samsung is always bleeding edge while Apple waits about a decade before introducing Samsung tech to the masses. My faith in eco is crumbling. Samsung is looking so much better.

 

[Cuesca]

There's a lot of toxicity in this thread from both sides. Some people are just stuck in their ways and trying to change them is harder than trying to get them to vote a certain way. It's all pointless, buy and love what you want, stop making these divisive threads. There's literally a Fold 7 thread here, go there if you want to talk about the latest foldable, you do not have to pit one brand vs another all the time.

 

[Lounge vibes 05]

Apple makes sure it’s right rather than first. If one wants to be the first with some new tech android fits the bill. If one wants a solid implementation then apple is your company.

I think another thing that’s being forgotten in this thread is just how massive at scale Apple has to be compared to Samsung.
Samsung sells about 5 million Foldables every year. That’s 5 million altogether, flips, folds, all of it.
Around 2.5 million of each.

in just apple’s first year of making one single foldable device, they are expected to require anywhere from 9 to 15 million foldable displays.
even at the low end estimation, that’s still about 3X the amount of iPhone folds to ZFolds, and at the high end of 15 million that’s 3X the amount of iPhone Folds as Samsungs entire foldable offerings combined.
it’s not just about getting it right, it’s also about having enough suppliers to meet demand.

 

[CyberDavis]

What in the world is going on at Apple? They have all the cash in the world, all the top people, and they just can't do this stuff?

I am guessing they saw the initial problems with foldable phones and wanted to be able address those before releasing a product.
Yes they could be said to be late to the market, but I can imagine the criticism they’d have received if their foldable had screen or hinge/mechanical issues or limitations.

Pretty much a no win situation for them.🤷🏽

 

[Ethosik]

I absolutely without any second consideration want a foldable. If Apple moves to foldable as the flagship, I’ll go elsewhere.

 

[ofarlig]

I am guessing they saw the initial problems with foldable phones and wanted to be able address those before releasing a product.
Yes they could be said to be late to the market, but I can imagine the criticism they’d have received if their foldable had screen or hinge/mechanical issues or limitations.

Pretty much a no win situation for them.🤷🏽

My guess is rather that the economists wanted to squeeze out some more money from the old designs and manufacturing, small changes every year costs less and gives a higher profit in the short run.

I am not one of those that think Apple can’t innovate without Steve Jobs but I for sure think he was a force that pushed for innovation rather than maximising profits on old product designs. I think the pendulum has just swung too far over to one side now and Apple needs to give more power over to innovative people again for the long term.

 

[Jumpthesnark]

Folded it was thinner than my iPhone 16 Pro Max

Folded it is thicker (8.9mm) than the 16 Pro Max (8.2mm).

 

[antiprotest]

I've seen foldable phones and they just seemed like a gimmick. Last night I had dinner with a friend who had the new Galaxy Z Fold 7.

I own every product in the Apple store and this was the first thing I've seen that made me want to ditch my iPhone. I couldn't believe how amazing it was. Folded it was thinner than my iPhone 16 Pro Max. Videos on the open screen were breathtaking, and there was no hint of a seam down the middle. And this this is so thin when opened you just can't believe it.

I haven't been to MacRumors in awhile, so I went and looked and they peg an Apple foldable phone for fall of NEXT YEAR.

What in the world is going on at Apple? They have all the cash in the world, all the top people, and they just can't do this stuff?

Honestly, this phone made my iPhone look like a Gen 1 product. If you haven't held one, you will first be amazed at the phone itself, but as that wears off you will just get madder and madder thinking about how Apple missed this. It's like the company has been asleep for five plus years.

Apple has been behind in every category for years, so it's no surprise. And the "Apple is always late but always better" delusion is wearing thin, since every time Apple releases something it's full of hardware defects and software bugs. Then comes the "It's the first version. Apple always fixes it." Then ten years later, when everything is ironed out, the world has long moved on to something else. 🤷‍♂️

 

[masotime]

I am guessing they saw the initial problems with foldable phones and wanted to be able address those before releasing a product.
Yes they could be said to be late to the market, but I can imagine the criticism they’d have received if their foldable had screen or hinge/mechanical issues or limitations.

Pretty much a no win situation for them.🤷🏽

They didn’t do this with the Vision Pro though.

They could have released a “iPhone pro fold” in a similar fashion to the Vision Pro as a niche item, but they didn’t.

 

[turbineseaplane]

And boy, will they let you know. You'd think non foldable lovers belive apple will not only discontinue all other devices, but also steal their first born, cause a world wide shortage of food, and lead to the robot uprising if apple DARE release something that isn't explicitly tailored to them..... And then buy it anyway and post on Mac rumors how "Apple has broken the code for making a good foldable"

Same with people who go after us small phone folks.

 

[turbineseaplane]

It's the first version. Apple always fixes it." Then ten years later, when everything is ironed out, the world has long moved on to something else. 🤷‍♂️

Apple: Solving problems from 5-10 years ago .. today!

 

[Radon87000]

I bought it day 1 and it embarrasses every phone on the market including other Android phones and makes the iPhone look positively ancient.

When it's folded it's as thin as the iPhone and when you unfold, you get that beautiful canvas. Crease is non existent and it weighs lesser than the iPhone now.

With Gemini embarrassing Apple Intelligence as well, it's a great time to be an Android fan.

My Z Fold 7 has turned quite a few Heads at the office. Some iPhone colleagues are even considering switching to Android just to get access to thus futuristic piece of tech.

Here's the thing, if you like staying on the cutting edge of things, Samsung is the brand to go for. It's not just phones, look at their crazy 57 1000R curved Neo G9 MinLED monitor, the 3D monitor, 14.6 tablet with an OLED and their QD OLED TVs

Samsung surpassed Apple in innovation long ago. What's funny is Samsung is supplying the display for the foldable iPhone next year. Apple also needs Perplexity to somehow prop up it's failed AI foundation. At this point the only innovations Apple does is using cash to buy other innovative companies / products