this post was submitted on 10 Sep 2024
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[–] [email protected] 64 points 1 week ago (13 children)

I don't understand the folding phone thing. It feels like tech now is all about creating ridiculous features and tech companies trying to convince us that we want them while ignoring things that would actually be worthwhile like repairable phones, headphones jacks and minimal bloatware.

[–] [email protected] 53 points 1 week ago (2 children)

I can actually see the value in a trifold like the one pictured. In your pocket it’s a phone. When you unfold it, it’s an iPad. You’re consolidating devices.

That said, I’m not a fan of folding lcd screen tech used today. It creases. I’d rather see three separate bezel-less screens that magnetically join to make a larger surface.

[–] [email protected] 12 points 1 week ago

I see it the same way. I would love a tablet I could fit in my pocket.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 week ago

Agreed. I have a Tab 9 next to the bed that would be great to not need. That being said, I also use it for sketching plans and as a full PC for VScode-server, and I'm pretty sure a folding phone won't have that modularity with an attached keyboard. Bluetooth keyboard with stand may solve that, though.

[–] [email protected] 16 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) (1 children)

Not many people get it until they get one. I got a fold 3 when it came out and have just upgraded to a fold 6 because i just couldn't go back. Its a better form factor for a mobile computing device. Its a phone thats also a small tablet! I gave my old one to my wife who was always averse to getting a fold and she has told me multiple times since then that its her favourite phone shes ever had.

[–] [email protected] 0 points 1 week ago (1 children)

and she has told me multiple times since then that its her favourite phone shes ever had.

Doesn't mean much because of loved one bias.

[–] [email protected] 13 points 1 week ago (1 children)
[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 week ago

My condolences.

[–] [email protected] 15 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

It is pretty useful and convenient if your use case suits it but I don't think that fits the majority of people. For me my Fold 6 replaced my Kindle and Surface. It's nice to able to open it up to read ebooks and manga since opened up, it's pretty much the dimensions of a typical book. Also makes things a lot easier when I need to remote into a PC or SSH into stuff and is a really convenient sketch pad for ideas.

It's also really neat that it's not ridiculously wide like every other phone out there nowadays since I have small hands.

My Fold 3 lasted 3 years with no issues until I traded it in so I think they're fairly well built.

In this case with the trifold, I personally think it's way too big but I'm someone who's never seen the point of tablets that were larger than 7 inches anyways. Always preferred a laptop at those sizes.

[–] [email protected] 13 points 1 week ago (2 children)

I've used a Z Fold 4 for two years now and it's been the best phone I've ever had. Desktop versions of websites, on my phone, without feeling cramped. Two apps side by side, both roughly the size of a usual phone screen. Huge screen for retro emulation using a Bluetooth controller. All with still having a small screen for one handed use and more traditional scrolling.

Games like Hearthstone, Gwent, Chess, Baldur's Gate Enhanced Edition, Roller Coaster Tycoon Classic, feel way more playable.

At this point, using any other device feels limited and cramped in ways that a big screen doesn't.

My only complaint has been price, and I only got mine because my company paid for it

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

Same, the only downside is that I can never go back.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 week ago

Same but with z fold 5 for one year. I am a sysadmin and its glorious for remoting into servers. You get plenty of screen space to have a keyboard and widscreen view of the desktop at the same time.

[–] [email protected] 9 points 1 week ago

It's really not bad, especially for reading, especially if your eyes aren't what they used to be.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 1 week ago (2 children)

Phone companies, listen to me, BUILT-IN KICKSTAND

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 week ago

Hey I actually like my phone kickstand. I use it... sometimes.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 week ago

HTC glory days.

Three are lots of cards that have built in kickstands now, why not just get one of those?

[–] [email protected] 6 points 1 week ago (1 children)

All the things that used to break phones got fixed, mobile OS changes got smaller and smaller, designed obsolescence required something that would get people to buy a new phone every 18 months. So here's a hinge. Here's TWO hinges!

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Three hinges! Hinges everywhere... unhinged.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 week ago

then the Rubix Magic

[–] [email protected] 6 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

I didn't get it either til I came across a Galaxy Fold demo unit at the mall.
It's light, the expanded screen gives you lots of extra screen real estate without feeling too big or unwieldy, and when folded up you get a normal aspect ratio, at a thickness that's comparable to other phones.

I never really felt like a tablet would be useful for me, filling the "gap" between a laptop and a phone with essentially a 'bigger phone' I'd have to charge and carry always seemed silly: I'd rather just keep using my phone instead.
But when you merge both devices into one, it works. It really is a 'bigger phone', with the benefit of being able to choose when you want to use the extra screen real estate without having to swap devices.

As someone who often tries to juggle multiple tasks on a phone*, I want one.
Shame they're so expensive where I live. Looking at the used market, even the folds multiple generations behind are still too expensive.

*Side note: Stock Android's split screen implementation is shit.
The floating windows Xiaomi and other OEMs have is light-years ahead, Google should be ashamed.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 week ago

When the page doesn't fit on the phone, it's really stupid to zoom and scroll around to get stuff done.

I control my qBittorrent with a web interface and it's way easier with a bigger screen. I don't have to go grab the laptop, I can unfold the screen that's already in my hand

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 week ago (1 children)

More screen space in a smaller portable form is of tremendous use to some people - until projectors come of age at least.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 week ago (1 children)
[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 week ago

I’ve never heard of that bracelet (surprise surprise) - talk about a pipe dream. I just want to be able to view diagrams and plans on something bigger than a phone. Whilst on site and off grid. And yes, I know they’re available on paper but… reasons. We use tough-tablets sometimes but their pretty cumbersome when not in use.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 week ago

Phones have honestly flat lined. Back in 2011 me and my buddy were heavily into phones upgrading what felt like every few months to try the latest and greatest new features. Nowadays you get a marginally bigger optimized battery, upgraded camera, and a mildly upgraded screen, however you pay significantly more. The only people I know who upgrade on schedule are iPhone users. I'm upgrading every 5-7 years now and my next phones probably gonna be whatever I can get cheap enough

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Companies don't make as much money when it's repairable. Washers and dryers used to last 20-25 years with a few repairs here and there. But companies weren't making any money, so they started making unrepairable junk instead.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 week ago (1 children)

That has a name: built-in obsolescence, and it's bad.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 week ago

and the earth literally can not handle everyone doing that.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 week ago

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Hey! Get out of the way dude! It's the elevator entrance! If you need more time with your laces take a seat over there!

.... In other news, tree elderly cops were run over today while tying their shoes! The CDC suggests banning shoe lace ads unless they are about guns. The republican Senate has put forward the new constitutional ammunition amendment law that includes this and the deportation of anyone who isn't a white guy. Women disagree entirely!....