Foldable smartphones have reached their fifth major generation, as heralded by Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip 5 and Fold 5…
For me it’s definitely the durability concerns. I’ve valued my phone’s water and dust resistance since getting an ip67 phone years and years ago. My brother had a flip and a grain of sand in his pocket got under the display; when he closed the phone the display died. And they expect me to pay more for the privilege.
My clothes have pockets
I like my phones to be lightweight, thin, and durable.
Ya know, so I can have my phone at-the-ready when under a car, upside down trying to fix my sink, or when I only have half a hand while scarfing down some lunch.
Turns out a heavy-ass foldable doesn’t lend itself to doing any of that without risking permanent damage.
So Samsung, when your foldables are less than 200g, less than 72mm wide, fully ip68, and less than $1000 in today’s dollars, I will consider them. Otherwise, I’ve already got a perfect phone.
Z Fold 3 fits in the little phone pockets (thigh welt pockets) on my Kuhl pants. Most notably, the Surface Duo does not.