Testing the World's Thinnest Foldable Smartphone

[MacRumors]

Chinese smartphone maker Oppo recently came out with the Find N5, which is a super thin and lightweight foldable smartphone. It's thinner and lighter than Samsung's foldable devices, and Apple's non-foldable ones.

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The Find N5 has a 6.62-inch display when closed, and an 8.12-inch display when open, so when unfolded, it's just a bit smaller than the iPad mini. It's 8.93mm thick when closed, and just 4.21mm when open. The thinnest device Apple has made is the 12.9-inch iPad Pro, and that's 5.1mm thick, so the Find N5 is an impressive design feat. It's 229 grams, which is about the weight of Apple's iPhone 16 Pro Max. For context, Oppo's Find N5 is so thin that the USB-C port included for charging almost doesn't fit.

Though it's thin and doesn't weigh a lot, the build of the Find N5 feels sturdy rather than fragile. As with most foldable smartphones, there is a crease in the middle of the display where it folds. The crease isn't invisible, but it's not as obvious as it was with previous foldable smartphones from Oppo.

Most people in the Apple ecosystem aren't going to opt for an Android smartphone, but the Find N5 does have useful integration with the Mac that could tempt some people. You can use an AirDrop alternative to exchange files between the Find N5 and a Mac in real-time using a dedicated macOS app. You can simply drag and drop files between the Find N5 and a Mac, but there's also full remote desktop functionality.

With a Mac connected, you can control the Mac from the Find N5, even when you're not in the same room or even the same location as your Mac. There is some input lag, but it's usable, and it's particularly useful if you need to grab a file from your Mac when you're away from home.

Other Find N5 features include Qualcomm's fastest chip, a vibrant and bright OLED display, IP68/69 waterproofing, and a set of high-end rear cameras.

Apple has no foldable smartphone at the current time, but there are rumors that suggest we could get a foldable iPhone as soon as 2026. Would you want an iPhone that's similar to the Find N5, or would you swap to Android for this design and feature set? Let us know in the comments below.

Article Link: Testing the World's Thinnest Foldable Smartphone

 

[Black.Infinity]

I don’t want to compromise on battery life for the sake of thinness.

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

Jobs: "a mobile phone, an iPod and an internet communicator." That was 3 distinct products we generally owned at the time that was being merged into one thing. We didn't question the point or the purpose, or have trouble imagining problems iPhone could solve. We could "think different" and appreciate 3 becoming 1.

"an iPhone and an iPad, as a single product." That can be 2 distinct products we generally own now that can be merged into one thing. If we try, we can still "think different" and appreciate 2 becoming 1. Use smaller screen when it best serves some purpose. Use bigger screen when it serves some purpose... exactly like we use iPhone vs. iPad now. Else, we carry around 2 things that are largely the same thing, running the same apps, that mostly differ only by size of screen.

When Apple gets around to releasing their cut of one of these, all who see no point can stick with the "as is." It's likely the others who might enjoy 2-in-1 utility that Apple might sell.

 

[Anonymous Freak]

This is what I want Apple to do. I don't want a "flip phone" that ends up a small cube in my pocket, I want a "phone sized" device that unfolds into an iPad-mini-size tablet. (Bonus if it is a triple-fold, or an unfold-and-unroll to be wider once unfolded.)

 

[DominikHoffmann]

I would have some serious cybersecurity reservations about a phone from a Chinese company accessing files on my Mac. How can we be sure that the macOS companion app is not a mole?

 

[WarmWinterHat]

In before about 50 posts that are basically "solution in search of a problem" and "what's the point"...

Jobs: "a mobile phone, an iPod and an internet communicator." That was 3 distinct products we generally owned at the time that was being merged into one thing. We didn't question the purpose or have trouble imagining problems iPhone could resolve. We could "think different" and appreciate 3 becoming 1.

"an iPhone and an iPad, as a single product." That can be 2 distinct products we generally own now that can be merged into one thing. If we try, we can still "think different" and appreciate 2 becoming 1.

Depends on your use case, no? A quick search shows about 60% of iPhone owners also own an iPad. I don't own one..I have had a few over the years, but always ended up selling/giving them away as I couldn't find a use for them and they end up collecting dust.. I don't personally need or want more screen, I want a physically smaller device in the pocket.

My only point being that's it's not a given for everyone.

 

[steve1staf]

I don’t want to compromise on battery life for the sake of thinness.

The battery is huge in this phone at 5600mAh

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

Depends on your use case, no? A quick search shows about 60% of iPhone owners also own an iPad. I don't own one..I have had a few over the years, but always ended up selling/giving them away as I couldn't find a use for them and they end up collecting dust.. I don't personally need or want more screen, I want a physically smaller device in the pocket.

My only point being that's it's not a given for everyone.

In that case, this kind of product would not be for you. I don't own a Mac Pro but see no reason for Apple to NOT make them just because of my preferences.

I don't even own an iPhone. Instead, I use a cellular Mini with VOIP app and buds. IMO: all iDevice apps are better on a bigger screen. But one great advantage of iPhone vs. my "phone" as I see it myself is pocket-ablity. A fold or roll option could remedy that.

 

[WarmWinterHat]

In that case, this kind of product would not be for you. I don't own a Mac Pro but see no reason for Apple to NOT make them just because of my preferences.

I don't even own an iPhone. Instead of the latter, I use a cellular Mini with VOIP app and buds. IMO: all iDevice apps are better on a bigger screen. But one great advantage of iPhone vs. my "phone" as I see it myself is pocket-ablity. A fold or roll option could remedy that.

Agreed. I could definitely see it for a case like yours.

Never met anyone that used an iPad as their primary communication device. Interesting!

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

Works fine. The phone app on iPhone is simply a VOIP app by Apple. There are plenty of VOIP apps in the App store. Any connected computing device can be a phone with VOIP, including our Macs or even iPod Touch. Buds work great for interacting with the person on the other end. Many with iPhones use them the same way (with buds).

 

[harper101]

I honestly don’t understand the point of folding phones

 

[ChrisMac47]

When you see this phone, you realise just how far Apple is left behind in innovation. The Chinese phone makers are just streets ahead in terms of ideas ... and quality implementation. Meanwhile, Apple just employs more lawyers and accountants in a vain effort to stifle the innovators.

 

[stereoscott]

Maybe I missed it, but how much does it cost?

 

[0049190]

Nice looking phone. Sadly it’s not being released in the US or Europe.

 

[BrokenLimits]

It seems to be around $2,000 - but there are multiple configuration options.

I saw someone post Oppo phones can work on T-Mobile in the US, but I am guessing not AT&T and Verizon? Not even sure how you would buy one.

 

[WarmWinterHat]

Maybe I missed it, but how much does it cost?

Approximately $1850-$2000, depending, in USD, but they won't be selling it in the US.

 

[Madhatter32]

You are looking at the iPhone 19.

 

[N47H]

I would have some serious cybersecurity reservations about a phone from a Chinese company accessing files on my Mac. How can we be sure that the macOS companion app is not a mole?

Because what exactly is this data you have that A) this Chinese company want so badly, B) isn’t what you’ve already surrendered to various other companies who just don’t happen to reside in China (but likely have plenty of Chinese connections) and C) will be used in any different a way to how your data is already being used. Absolutely ridiculous mindset picked up from xenophobic media propaganda used to deter consumers away from Chinese products simply to prevent them becoming a big player in any market, it’s nothing to do with cybersecurity, it’s just self serving bollocks from big companies/politically fuelled nonsense.

 

[Lounge vibes 05]

When you see this phone, you realise just how far Apple is left behind in innovation. The Chinese phone makers are just streets ahead in terms of ideas ... and quality implementation. Meanwhile, Apple just employs more lawyers and accountants in a vain effort to stifle the innovators.

This is under the assumption that Apple, and their good display partners Samsung and LG, physically couldn’t make this phone. Which is a false assumption, of course they could.
Apple has never been the best on paper.

 

[Swetsenegger]

This is the first time since 2007 I look at another phone than an iPhone with some jealousy. This is such a beautiful piece of hardware.

 

[0049190]

Maybe I missed it, but how much does it cost?

Don’t know how much it costs but it’s only available in China and Singapore so far.

 

[Joshuaorange]

I honestly don’t understand the point of folding phones

I don’t understand the fashion industry yet it generates billions in revenue annually all while getting on without me. The same could be said here.

 

[Joshuaorange]

I’m giving Apple till September, if they don’t have one to offer me, I’m out. These are way too nice to not have the option to buy. Android be damned.

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

You are looking at the iPhone 19.

Apple??? Probably more like iPhone XX, 21 or 22. But I'll hope right with you.

 

[N47H]

I really wish someone (Apple) could perfect and mass produce the tech behind the Oppo X 2021, I much preferred the expanding, internal roller based method of extending the screen than a foldable which will always, always have a crease no matter how good they get at reducing its visibility.