Android

Price and durability. I'm not going to pay exorbitant prices for something I'll have to replace in 2 years

The fact the most of them are made by Samsung and I can’t stand the amount of bloatware Samsung put on their devices.

It all comes down to the gimmick not being worth an additional thousand euros to the price of my phone.

I don't think durability would be a problem for me as I already baby my glass back device and I haven't been using screen protectors for years with no problem. The downgrade in cameras isn't that big of a deal for me as most pictures I take are macro, and as it turns out phones nowadays are horrendous dogshit at it anyway.

I think I'd enjoy the gimmick, I used to own a flip phone as a teenager, it's just not worth a thousand euros extra. I'd probably add another 150 or 200 euros to my pixel to buy a folding phone.

They're way too expensive and they're still early-generation devices. Plus, why would I trust Google to continue with the product line seeing as how they keep killing viable products and services?

If they get to the Pixel Fold 4 or 5 and the price is down to the $500-600 range, then it'd be a very serious contender for me. (Assuming the insane fragility is resolved)

For me, they're too fat when folded and too big when open. I don't like the feeling of the crease, and the technology needs time to prove how reliable it'll be in the real world.

I got one, but got rid of it after the screen cover plastic became rigid and creaky...twice. Worse, Samsung said they'd cover it once under warranty, and that after their ubreak ifix people were telling me it'd cost $200 to fix.

I want a phone that lasts at least 5 years

I've had my Galaxy zflip 3 for about 2 years now. Lots of comments here are saying they are too fragile or poorly made but that has not been my experience:

• the battery is fine
• the screen hasn't scratched
• it flips open fine with a one handed flick of the wrist
• I've dropped it several times without damage
• it has been used in the rain and snow
• I've replaced the screen protector once myself due to it peeling at the fold. Having to change screen protectors happens on every phone I've owned due to peeling somewhere
• I can drop it in my pocket folded without worrying about keys, coins, or whatever else scratching up the screen
• being able to use the phone as it's own tripod is nice for photos
• flipping it shut to end phonecalls is satisfying
• price is about the same as any other new Samsung phone (I got mine close to free trading in a Galaxy s10e)

The new flip 5 looks really nice with the bigger cover screen but I don't plan to upgrade anytime soon since this phone is working well for me.

There is no way a folding screen phone would survive my job.

When they have a phone that opens like scroll that I can put in a gasket sealed tube, I will consider it.

I'm a fan of small phones and as such been waiting for the fold-tech to lead to smaller devices.

Therefore the Razr+ (40 Ultra) and the Flip5 are the first phones to raise my interest since I got my Pixel 5.

I really like the way Moto implemented the external Display but the Flip seems to win in almost any other category.

After reading/watching a lot of reviews I came to the conclusion that (for now) I'll still be better off with a Galaxy S23. Maybe next year...

Hmmm... I think our weekly discussion thread this week had everyone gave their inputs on foldable, go check it out before we switch it out tomorrow.

https://lemmy.world/post/2436246

Although I don't think our sticky posts on this comm are working correctly for our friends at lemmy.ml, so please take a note of that.

It's a bit of a stupid gimmick all things considered.

I don't like them (as they're now). Price.

Price and durability concerns

To contrast some of the comments here from people who've clearly never used one of these foldables outside of a display case, I've had my Fold 3 (the larger folding tablet style) for two years. I came from the Note and S lines, Windows Phone, and have bounced between iPhones. My Fold 3 is in great shape and has survived many falls. It's definitely durable enough for me. I take care of it, but I get that some people don't desire to take care of their devices and expect them to be exceedingly durable. Never had anything under the screen. Never take it to the beach unless it's in a sealed ziplock. I take care not to put it in dusty environments or let sawdust or shavings get into it (hobbies).

Unfolded, it's better than any other phone out there. Viewing videos enlarged or widescreen is great depending on video and application. During normal usage, the crease is not noticable enough to be a distraction unless viewed from a severe angle (think the person sitting next to you). Unfolded scrolling of Lemmy, the internet, and reading is a better experience than anything else out there - bar none, no argument. The screen is just huge and viewing websites in mobile or desktop is fantastic. It makes the web actually useable from a mobile device. I never use my Galaxy Tab anymore. Samsung does a pretty good job software-wise adapting apps to fit the foldable aspect ratio if a guveb app doesn't officially support it. More apps are supporting foldables every day.

I would agree with the sentiment that the Z Flip line likely has a more gimmicky purpose. At least the Fold line functions as a tablet and is a decent phone folded up. At least, that is my experience with a Z Flip 3 before swapping for a Fold 3. But I'll be buying foldables exclusively from here on out. After using the Fold 3 for two years, I can say it's folding screen is definitely NOT a gimmick.

The flips smaller size is awesome, but I think that positive is offset by the annoyance of having to open the phone the every time.

The fold I could see myself buying in a later gen. Once the hinge and screen are through a few more iterations I think I'll buy one. The huge screen is just so nice. But folded up it shouldn't be much heavier, larger, thicker than a normal phone, I already think modern phones are way too big as it is.

doesn't provide a benefit for me for the tradeoffs in smaller battery size, screen size, lower water resistence, lower durability, no open source documentation/parts to enable consumer repairability

As someone who just got the pixel fold, it is pointless.

I typically buy last generation refurbished. I was able to get the Samsung Galaxy s22 Ultra for sub $800. The last generation Fold is still over $1000. I need the cool-factor to calm down so the old ones are cheaper.

Exclusively price. I want a Fold very bad but, too much $

Their poll doesn't have the option of "I already have one"

Talk about selection bias.

I want a screen protector

I prefer the standard chocolate bar style it's less likely to break and it fits fine in my hand

Since getting a wearable display, screens are no longer a priority.

Of course durability is the main issue here but now that you have mentioned it the water resistance too.

I love my Fold 3. Only real complaints are how many apps are not built to support the front screen's thinness. It was the most expensive phone I've ever purchased even at 50% off used (around $900), but for the amount of hours I use it, it seems justified. For maps, photos, and reading, the inner screens are awesome. I mostly use the outer because most things do not need the full size. Can't imagine it without the outer screen. Durability not an issue so far, whether that's waterproofness, sand in the fold, or the crease.

Why the fuck would I want mechanical stress?

I mean they cost at least a grand.

I don't see a point.

It's also inconvenient. Having to unfold the phone before using is cumbersome and it doesn't fit well in my pockets.

Well I have one already, I don't need another one

I actually used to have one, but even though I was very careful with it, the screen kept breaking from normal everyday use. Eventually, my phone insurance decided they'd no longer cover this type of phone due to it being too fragile, so I went back to using a regular phone.

Owned one, went back to pixel 7 pro afterwards. I liked it a lot and really loved the screen size.

But the screen is really, really fragile and the phone is heavy enough that it's hard to hold when You're surfing for more than an hour.

So I could surf on my phone less... Or I could grab a phone that isn't 450g

Grease

I tried a Flip 4 but it had way too many compromises for my taste relative to a regular samsung phone in the same price range, I was also concerned about it's durability as I tend to keep my phones for about 3 years.

I have a foldable and I hate my foldable. I am literally counting down the days until I can get rid of it.

In the beginning, it was fine but I didn't use the tablet mode as much as I thought I would. It was mostly just videos and manga. Then the hinge started to get dust or debris under it and wouldn't open all the way. This has slowly gotten worse and worse and I don't even want to open it even if I have a good use case now.

The device is also bulky obviously which is fine but with a case, it's about an inch thick which is a bit unwieldy.

The battery life is awful, even without using the main screen. I usually have to charge once a day and overnight.

I just miss my Note. Nice big wide screen, comfortable to hold. Nice stylus. :(

Price, that's it.

Love flip phones, love small phones, 'ate expensive phones