Testing the World's Thinnest Foldable Smartphone

[cyberpersona]

I don't like thinness or foldness that will hurt the battery life. It's the dumbest invention.

According to the specs page this phone has a 5600mah battery which yields 25 hours of video playback. Don’t think it’s hurt the battery at all.

 

[TechRunner]

Everyone I’ve talked to who uses android is like oh yeah Google photos is junk, I don’t use it. Why would you want your search bar at the bottom etc etc. They talk a big game about customization but it’s not always the case. Also, how bad is the software that you have to choose the version you like best. It’s a real mess.

Yeah, customization is a mixed bag, depending on the skin you end up with. Samsung's is pretty good if you take a bunch of time to tweak and change stuff. I do agree with you (and many others) that Android could really use some better standardization across platforms.

*Edited for spelling.

 

[0049190]

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 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.

I really miss those Steve Jobs keynotes.

 

[AlexESP]

“You can smoothly control your Mac, without any noticeable lag”. Come on, don’t say that while showing an embarrassingly slow scroll.

 

[AlexESP]

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.

I think foldables are interesting, but this is way behind in quality. This category is not viable until I’m not able to scratch the screen with my nail. Innovation is when you make things happen, not sellable R&D.

 

[iPay]

I honestly don’t understand the point of folding phones

Wait until Apple makes one^^

 

[Plerf]

I honestly don’t understand the point of folding phones

Don’t worry. In 5-7 years time you’ll have one anyway. Not that you’ll necessarily change your mind between now and then but that’s what will be on the market and targeted to the general user.

People will look at slab smartphones like we look at BlackBerries now.

 

[coolfactor]

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?

This is my main question. Dan seemed to gloss over any possible security concerns surrounding that desktop app. Is macOS still controlling sharing access, or is that bypassed entirely by this desktop app?

 

[coolfactor]

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.

That would be amazing and would work well for extending the display in both directions... vertically or horizontally.

It would also put an end to the greedy case industry. haha

 

[klasma]

I honestly don’t understand the point of folding phones

On-demand bigger screen than would fit into your pocket.

 

[Joshuaorange]

Iv

I’ve never owned an Android phone but a relative asked me to look at their phone because they were being bombarded with fake virus alerts. I tried for hours but couldn’t figure out how to stop the alerts. I don’t know if this a general Android problem but I’ve never had anything like that on my iPhone.

My galaxy s6e had fantom alerts too lol

Yeah, customization is a mixed bag, depending on the skin you end up with. Samsung's is pretty good if you take a bunch of time to tweak and change stuff. I do agree with you (and many others) that Android could really use some better standardization across platforms.

*Edited for spelling.

i really wish there was still a 3rd player in the OS arena. Neither Apple or Google have a whole lot riding on getting it right anymore. People are pretty set in which camp they stick with and I don’t see that as a good thing.

 

[klasma]

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

Starting at around US$1650, currently only available in Singapore.

 

[klasma]

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.

They 100% won’t. 2026 at the earliest.

 

[Radeon85]

I honestly don’t understand the point of folding phones

Because it's nice having a small, to a phone that's about the same size as we have now yet expands into a large tablet device. Don't understand why it's so hard for everyone who hates folding phones to get that concept.

Just wait, the moment Apple releases one I bet most haters will love it as usual.

 

[klasma]

I don't like thinness or foldness that will hurt the battery life. It's the dumbest invention.

The Oppo has a 20% larger battery than the iPhone 16 Pro Max (5600 mAh vs. 4685 mAh), while weighing about the same (229 vs. 227 grams).

 

[contacos]

Instant buy if I could put OneUI 7 on it. Gotta wait for Galaxy Fold Z7 inthe summer

 

[Joshuaorange]

They 100% won’t. 2026 at the earliest.

That’s how it sounds. But I’m not waiting anymore. Maybe they’ll win me back. I’ve already moved mostly to windows without issue. Aside from my movies, there isn’t anything I need from Apple anymore.

 

[klasma]

That’s how it sounds. But I’m not waiting anymore. Maybe they’ll win me back. I’ve already moved mostly to windows without issue. Aside from my movies, there isn’t anything I need from Apple anymore.

Yeah, I’m saying there is no point in waiting until September for deciding.

 

[iMac The Knife]

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

It can be had for just under $1400 US. Depending on where you buy it from, you can have the Google Play store loaded onto it prior to shipping. Wonda Mobile and Giztop will do this. And yes, this phone will work on the big three carriers in the US. In the past two years, I've used the OnePlus Open and Honor Magic V3 on AT&T without issue. 5G and all.

 

[maxfromdenmark]

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.)

So you literally are looking for a foldable tablet with built in phone. Me too.

 

[anthonymoody]

just its Mac integration makes it worthwhile alone

Yup I travel quite a bit and usually bring my MBP "just in case." When I need it, I'm really glad I have it bc I really need it. OTOH, I'm often away for a week or more and wind up leaving the MBP in my bag the entire time.

This thing sure would lighten the load.

Re: prices. IMPORTANT TO NOTE - the Chinese version, which can be imported from a bunch of places for $1500-1600, lacks a *lot* of the important MMwave/5G bands. The "Global" version, which you'll see for $1900ish, is what you want in the US. Still doesn't have every single band, but, it has more/most of them and should work reasonably well on US carriers.

 

[iMac The Knife]

gah so clunky. Need a folding phone half the size. i dont want or need an ipad in my back pocket, but i do want an iphone that fits in my pocket

You do realize that this phone is only 0.68mm thicker than the iPhone 16 PM when it is folded, and only 2 grams heavier that the 16 PM, don't you?

 

[ThailandToo]

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 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.

I want this bad. I want an iPad that folds down to an iPhone that fits in my pocket. I want it more than anything from Apple other than Tim Cook to step down for a visionary at the helm.

 

[iMac The Knife]

I’ve never owned an Android phone but a relative asked me to look at their Samsung phone because they were being bombarded with fake virus alerts. I tried for hours but couldn’t figure out how to stop the alerts. I don’t know if this a general Android problem but I’ve never had anything like that on my iPhone.

I don't know how they are using their Android phone, but I haven't had a single virus, or any crazy pop-up like this since I bought my first foldable, the Z Fold 3. 8 Foldables later (I like to try a few before I keep the one I like best), and I've never had this problem.

 

[BGPL]

Very tempting and that remote to MacOS is awesome. Can't wait for Apple to push one of these out, but not looking forward to the $1999 price tag. Great review!