Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Testing the World's Thinnest Foldable Smartphone
- Thread starter MacRumors
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Add the “Samsung Dex” capability to run MacOS and attach a Studio display/keyboard.
a new 3 in 1 would be possible to replace Macbooks and ipads
But I doubt Apples finance department will allow that
Last edited:
Dex doesn't run Windows or any computer OS. You get more functionality from an iPad connected to a display.Add the “Samsung Nex” capability to run MacOS and attach a Studio display/keyboard.
a new 3 in 1 would be possible to replace Macbooks and ipads
But I doubt Apples finance department will allow that
I have a feeling Apple purchased a few of them to play around with in Cupertino.
No worries, it's not sold in US.
If there is a need for iPad, there is a need for folding phone.
Speaking of the possibility to use the device as a MB replacement with added software support by Apple since now Macos, ios and Ipados can run on the same chip set. Which was not the case before M chips
HobeSoundDarryl
macrumors G5
Unfortunately, you need to line up about 50M-100M other people who feel the same and assure Apple they will buy that phone if Apple made it.
‘Most people in the Apple ecosystem aren't going to opt for an Android smartphone‘
This becoming less and less.
This becoming less and less.
This is definitely a cool device and an amazing technological feat.
Though most reviewers say that its OS is still a bit lacking, at least when compared to Samsung's offerings.
Yet the hardware is very well designed.
During operation an even bigger issue came up, though, surprisingly.
When opened, the device has a nearly square screen, which is somehow an inconvenient form factor for a tablet.
An iPad has a 4:3 aspect ratio which works well when watching either portrait or landscape videos.
Yet a square screen will always have massive black bars on either side, no matter how you hold it.
As a result, videos on this phone look actually smaller than on an iPad mini. Much smaller.
A folding phone that is also a tablet is still a big challenge if the device only folds once in the middle.
Because you end up with either a square screen in tablet mode, which is inconvenient, or a weirdly sized phone when closed.
Imagine an iPad mini folded in half. This would either be a very long and thin phone or a somewhat short and chunky phone depending on which axis you close it along.
This doesn't work. It's a big compromise one way or another. Would such a folding phone be worth it? Probably not.
The real solution would be a triple fold phone.
But it will be a long while until Apple makes triple folding devices...
Though most reviewers say that its OS is still a bit lacking, at least when compared to Samsung's offerings.
Yet the hardware is very well designed.
During operation an even bigger issue came up, though, surprisingly.
When opened, the device has a nearly square screen, which is somehow an inconvenient form factor for a tablet.
An iPad has a 4:3 aspect ratio which works well when watching either portrait or landscape videos.
Yet a square screen will always have massive black bars on either side, no matter how you hold it.
As a result, videos on this phone look actually smaller than on an iPad mini. Much smaller.
A folding phone that is also a tablet is still a big challenge if the device only folds once in the middle.
Because you end up with either a square screen in tablet mode, which is inconvenient, or a weirdly sized phone when closed.
Imagine an iPad mini folded in half. This would either be a very long and thin phone or a somewhat short and chunky phone depending on which axis you close it along.
This doesn't work. It's a big compromise one way or another. Would such a folding phone be worth it? Probably not.
The real solution would be a triple fold phone.
But it will be a long while until Apple makes triple folding devices...
Every year or 2 I try the various foldable at Best Buy, I can never get past the crease. I like the Best Buy testing kiosk because they’re usually have some use on them. My instincts tell me the crease isn’t as obvious when you first buy the device but after a few weeks it is.
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.
Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos.
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
It’s not about the look but the feels. That crease is there and very obvious when using any foldable on the market.
Last edited:
MacRumors obviously purchased one for this review. They didn't express any concerns about cybersecurity issues. So one must presume that MacRumors considers it to be a safe purchase. For that matter, the Oppo Find N5 is available for purchase on eBay.
No it’s not. Only scenario would be maybe using the pen and I rarely do and don’t feel it even then. You’ve never seen one and certainly haven’t put your feels on it either.
If the Yanks can can it “The World Series” then Oppo can call it a global launch.
They’ve already spoken for all 744 Million of us in Europe across all 44 countries, all of us wear tiny jeans with pockets barely larger than an iPhone mini apparently. I must have dreamt about the time I got curious and discovered I can perfectly fit an iPad Mini 6 in my jeans pocket.
I am very happy with my iPhone combined with my iPad and my Mac mini … I don’t like having a front screen and hate the bar in the middle of the interior screen … Apparently Apple is finding a solution about all this … But I guess the price will be making my eyes pop … Never say never …
I don't think this is a huge problem. Things have different aspect ratios and so there is no screen size that universally/magically fits everything.
If you buy a device for one single use case, sure, then get the device that has an aspect ratio that fits your case. If everything you do is 4:3 then the screen of this device clearly is not the best option for you.
If you want a portable device to fit many use cases, then this 1:1,1 device can work decently for all.
There is support in the software to use that space by letting two or more application be on screen at the same time. Meaning you are not bound to operate in a single task mode and switch between apps to find what you are looking for - I think this is a pretty decent plus side to having a large squarish screen.
There is also support in software to "fill screen" if you prefer having zero black bars over keeping aspect ratio. Sometimes on my oneplus pad2 (1:1,4 aspect ratio) I do this when watching video. It fills the screen by cutting off the edges and some wide screen material is still enjoyable for me.
I can't speak for owning a Chinese version, I've only owned the Global versions. However, on all the reviews I've seen it doesn't seem to make that much of a difference as long as you get Google Play installed in advance on the Chinese versions. People who complain about lack of certain bands are just people trying to find things to complain about. Yes, the Global version would be slightly superior overall, but it doesn't mean the Chinese versions don't work properly.