The Future and Practicality of Foldable Phones

Samsung is preparing to launch new foldable devices, including the Z Fold 7 and Z Flip, alongside other gadgets next week. This release reignites the ongoing debate about the practical utility, durability, and market viability of foldable smartphones compared to traditional models and dedicated tablets.

Key Points Summary

• Upcoming Samsung Launch Event

  Samsung plans to cover an upcoming live event, potentially on Aparat Majd or Instagram, where it is expected to introduce the Z Fold 7, Z Flip, new smartwatches, and earbuds.

• Initial Skepticism Towards Foldable Phones

  There is a personal problem and curiosity about foldable phones, questioning the target audience and practical purpose of devices like the Z Fold.

• Target Audience for Z Fold

  The Z Fold primarily appeals to two groups: individuals seeking novelty and those who require a device that functions as both a tablet and a phone, avoiding the need to carry separate devices.

• Evolution and Durability Challenges of Foldable Phones

  Samsung, a pioneer in foldable technology, faced significant issues with its first Fold, which required a six-month delay due to screen and hinge problems. Subsequent models like the Fold 3 and Flip 3 introduced waterproofing, but dust and sand ingress remain persistent challenges, despite advancements like internal brush mechanisms.

• Personal Experience with Z Flip 3

  A user's three-month experience with a Z Flip 3 was not recommended; they frequently forgot to fold the device, treating it like a regular phone, and found the external display's functionality limited at the time.

• Huawei's Foldable Innovation

  Huawei introduced a unique tri-fold phone, the Stepper Vision Pro, priced around $2,000, which transforms from a compact phone to a large tablet. This design, while innovative, raises questions about its practical appeal and market.

• Multitasking and Foldable Utility

  Foldable phones, particularly the 'Fold' style, offer potential benefits for multitasking by providing a larger canvas to display multiple applications simultaneously, although this utility is questioned against the backdrop of single-app use habits on traditional smartphones.

• Comparison with Laptops and Tablets

  The multitasking benefits of foldable phones are often overshadowed by dedicated devices like laptops and iPads, which offer superior operating systems and user experiences for productivity.

• Long-Term Durability Concerns

  The mechanical nature of foldable phones makes them inherently less durable than regular phones, as mechanical components are prone to wear and eventual failure over time, regardless of design improvements.

• Apple's Potential Entry into Foldable Market

  Apple is motivated to explore foldable technology due to significant market growth in the segment and a desire to retain users within its ecosystem, preventing them from migrating to competitors like Samsung.

• Foldable Phone Market Growth and Sales

  The foldable phone market has shown substantial growth, with 8 million units sold in 2020 and a projected total of 25-30 million units from 2020 to 2025, indicating a profitable niche despite initial skepticism.

• Practical Impediments to Mainstream Adoption

  Foldable phones face obstacles to becoming mainstream, including unclear after-sales service, expensive parts (with display replacements costing $1,100-$1,200), and the persistent visible crease line, despite manufacturers' efforts to minimize it.

• Motorola's Hinge Design Approach

  Motorola employs a distinct hinge design that creates a space for the screen when closed, aiming to reduce the crease, though its sales volume remains significantly lower than other brands.

• Foldables as Technological Showcases

  Foldable phones are regarded as prime examples of a company's technological prowess and innovation, demonstrating complex engineering feats like bending a display and managing internal space while achieving waterproofing.

• Design Aspects of Upcoming Samsung Foldables

  Leaks suggest the Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 7 will feature minor design changes, an IP68 rating, and new color options including black, white, silver, and a 'Galaxy Blue' shade.

• Conceptual Shift: Foldable Tablets Instead of Phones

  A more logical approach for foldable devices might be to conceive them as tablets that fold for portability, offering robust tablet functionalities like high RAM, strong cooling, and pen support, rather than as compromised phone-tablet hybrids.

• The Ideal Form Factor Debate

  The discussion highlights that a phone's primary requirement is pocketability, while a tablet prioritizes screen size, leading to the conclusion that hybrid foldable devices often fail to perfectly serve either purpose.

• Foldable Market Share in China (Q1 2023)

  In the first quarter of 2023, the Chinese foldable market saw Huawei, Oppo, and Vivo leading, with Samsung in second place. A significant 55% of users who owned foldable phones eventually reverted to traditional models.

• Preference for Compact Foldable Designs

  In the market, 'flip' style foldable phones (vertical fold) are more popular than 'fold' style (horizontal, book-like fold), indicating a user preference for compact and pocketable devices over larger form factors.

• The Issue of Device Category Overlap

  The market suffers from devices that blur the lines between phones and tablets; a phone exceeding a certain size is no longer an ideal phone, and a tablet below a certain size loses its tablet utility, making specialized devices more effective.

• Technological Advancement vs. Practical Application

  While bendable OLED panels demonstrate significant technological progress, their practical applications in consumer products like foldable phones are still being refined and questioned for widespread utility.

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