cross-posted from: https://lemmy.dbzer0.com/post/46649349

I’m saving up for a new phone and I’m thinking of getting a foldable one.
Are they really as good/bad as people say they are?

The one I had in mind was the Pixel Fold.

  • BombOmOm@lemmy.worldEnglish
    26·
    2 days ago

    Advantages:

    • The screen is protected when the phone is closed
    • It allows for a larger screen while maintaining portability

    Disadvantages:

    • The screen is plastic, instead of glass. Meaning it is very easy to scratch
    • The screen has a hump where the hinge is
    • The hinge can get dirt in it, at which point you start developing lots of problems
    • They are very expensive

    I personally buy mid-budget phones, which means these aren’t even a consideration. But, I probably wouldn’t buy one even at the same price due to the plastic screens being very easy to scratch and a larger screen not having much value for me. But, really it’s up to you what you value in your phone.

    • Phishr42@lemmy.worldEnglish
      171·
      2 days ago

      The screen is plastic, instead of glass. Meaning it is very easy to scratch

      It’s actually a specially made glass that is thin and flexible https://www.schott.com/en-us/expertise/applications/schott-utg-in-foldable-displays. You might be thinking of the factory installed screen protectors on most (all?) foldable phones that is made of plastic.

      I had a Galaxy ZFold 4 and there were lots of things I liked about it. The larger screen really does make a big difference for consuming content and looking at/signing documents. I ended up going back to a traditional style phone because I realized that I spent a lot of time thinking about general fragility of my phone in a way that I hadn’t before. Cases are significantly more expensive and require adhesives to stay attached. I had a few in warranty repairs from debris in the hinge as well.

          • XeroxCool@lemmy.world
            8·
            2 days ago

            Screen protectors are back in demand on these. I recently learned they’re it ended to be a wear item and are factory installed on the Samsung clam

      • Nick@sh.itjust.works
        2·
        2 days ago

        I second this. I broke the screen on my OnePlus Open and just decided to go back to a normal phone and went with a Pixel 9. I’ve since moved to a iPhone SE 2022, it’s so nice having such on a powerful phone in such a small footprint, I just wish the battery life was better.

      • TranquilTurbulence@lemmy.zipEnglish
        3·
        2 days ago

        Many years ago, I used to have huge phablet that I could only carry in the largest pockets of my jacket. It was also ridiculously thin, and made of glass, which made it very fragile. As a result, I was so worried about bending it or breaking it, that those ideas started to sneak into my dreams! Getting rid of it was a relief.