Does anyone here actually use (or know someone that use) flip-able/foldable smartphones?

I do. I have multiple phone numbers, the one for dmv and banking is on a cheap RedPocket annual plan in the cheapest flip phone I could buy on ebay (a tcl flip phone or something). I got it for like $15 maybe and it's going fine.

Edit: I misread, skipped the word "smartphone".

I would agree on the first 2-3 generations, but after 6-7, the tech is mature enough that it doesn't get destroyed just like that. Didn't we hade the same discussions when phones started using glass instead of plastic screens?`You do remember, screens used to be made of transparent plastic, not glass?

I have a flip phone for a while now. A black line did form on the crease after ~6 months, but was replaced under warranty. No further problems since. I don't use a case either and am rather clumsy.

The biggest upside to the design is reclaimed pocket space.

Everyone has accepted carrying a giant slab that takes up one pocket at all times. Manufacturers that attempt to make reasonable sized phones quickly abandon the idea because people don't purchase them. Everyone says they'd love having a small phone, then buy something else when it's time to spend money. Flip phones are the closest thing to a compromise we'll get anymore.

Given that phones are cameras that just so happen to make phone calls and the industry continuously innovate backwards (headphone jack, micro sd expandable storage, removable batteries, physical sim trays, and potentially USB-C if Apple has their way), foldable screens are the first genuine innovation/progression.

Everyone I've talked to who owned one has complained that the screen either gets a line in it where the fold is or delaminates.

I think it's a fad that will probably die off soon

I feel like its a bad idea for people to buy these. I mean… the screen are weak plastics that can get damaged by a fingernail.

I've never had a screen scratch on my flipable from a fingernail. Also, how many people do you see walking around with a blown out cracked glass screen on non-foldables? People are hard on all phones.

Seems like an expensive buy for such a terrible durability. A terrible deal in my opinion.

They're just not that expensive secondhand which is how I buy them. You can see you can get last year's flagship model for $200 to $400. If you get the 2023 model its even cheaper at $100-$200.

At this cost who cares if it breaks in two to three years?

What even is the use-case for these, anyways?

They are VERY small compared to normal mobile phones and you can put it in your pocket. I really like that.

I've got one. Moto Razr.

It fits in my pocket much better than a slab phone.

I don't use the outer screen much. Generally when I need to fumble around and change media or unlock my car or something with stuff in my other hand. But Moto's implementation of the second screen is pretty good.

I like a very large screen and I like portability. If this phone breaks, I'll probably get either another one like it or a larger one like a Pixel Fold or something.

The solution to the fragile inner screen is - and I know this is a complex idea so bear with me - you close the phone when you're not actively using it. Seriously, it's a complete non-issue.

My biggest complaint is the Moto software. I've had other Moto phones before and had similar issues - they're WAY too aggressive with battery optimizations killing background apps. Like holy shit. I have to go in every few days and reset settings that the phone changed on its own so that my VPN stays connected for more than 10 minutes at a time because it wants to kill the app to save battery. But that has nothing to do with the screen.

I have one of these, and I really love it honestly. I mostly love that it folds so it actually fits in my pocket. I have tiny hands, and tiny emo girl skinny jean pockets, so the super long flat phone is terrible for me and it fits nicely. The folding screen itself is cool too, since I can prop it up or scroll with it at an angle if I want to. I can set it like a little old school makeup compact and have the top part of the screen be YouTube or something. My model has a screen on the cover as well, and that I can use Spotify directly on and skip songs in a Playlist, pause music etc. Which is nice when I'm on my walk outside, as I don't even need to unlock my phone or open it to navigate.

I put a screen protector on it, the screen protector does wear out eventually but I'm going on two years of use with no issues on the underlying screen, just replaced the peel and stick screen protector once.

That said, I am rethinking my device use and consumption in general. I'll get another screen protector when I need it, would love to get several more years of use out of it if I can.

I've owned a Z Fold 5 for a little over a year. I'm a developer and often read dev articles, todos, code on a git repo and so on while traveling by buss/train. I find a regular screen size isn't wide enough for reading code, but the z fold 5 unfolded is perfect. I don't want to have to carry a tablet, and I definitely don't want to pull my laptop out just for reading. I definitely won't be going back to a non-foldable.

The inner screen definitely isn't as fragile as you make it out to be. Can't see any scratches on mine. It's way more of a fingerprint magnet than my outer screen, but I can't see that when the screens on, and the rest of the time it's closed and hidden anyway, so why would I care?

My tech-normie co worker has it and loves it, it's over a year old and the screen is in great shape to even my annoyingly issue-finding-prone eyes

If she can manage that with a slightly older one I can only assume the tech is improving quite rapidly

I got a fold6 from my work. Its nice having the big screen to load desktop sites/play games/do anything that needs seeing. The front screen is handy for doom scrolling, texting, and taking phone calls. It sucks ass being Samsung tho. grapheneOS apparently supports google folds. That might be cool but I haven't seen it.

I have a Galaxy Z Fold 2 and it's my favorite phone I've ever owned by a mile. I bought it secondhand (refurbished) in 2022, two years after it came out, and have been using it for three years myself.

There's sort of a crease down the center of the folding screen that you can see if you're looking for it specifically, but if you're looking at the phone head-on like you usually would be and aren't trying to pay attention to the crease, it fades right out of awareness.

I bought this phone with the intention of reading books on it, and playing some games that are otherwise more tablet-friendly (Slay The Spire for instance) and it's by far the best mobile reading and gaming experience I've ever had with a phone.

If I wanted to I could have the screen replaced to remove the crease but it doesn't bother me enough to pay for that. I've folded this phone open and closed probably a minimum of two dozen times per day every single day for the past 3 years and I've never had to replace a part yet. When I bought the thing I expected it to be usable for about 1-2 years and then need repair or replacement, but we're now cooking on the third year of daily use and it still looks as good as it did in year 1.

This very post was made on that phone and was folded and reopened twice in the process as I did other things.

My Razr fucks

I have a Pixel Pro 9 fold and the original Pixel Fold before it. Frankly, for me, it's like going multi-monitor for the first time. I can't go back.

It fills all my tablet use cases while also being a tablet that I *actually have* on me whenever I need it. I've had so many tablets over the years, in all manner of sizes. They all collected dust in a matter of a couple weeks because I would always forget them or forget to charge it or it just wasn't near me when I wanted it.

My biggest use case is remoting into desktops on the go, a boon for WFH though it isn't perfect because I have yet to find an remote desktop app that fully takes advantage of the split screen functionality.

Though it's not Samsung with their fancy productivity focused features, I still find having 1 app on each side to be very useful, especially when I'm on a Lemmy posting binge LMAO

I also play [email protected] and [email protected] from time to time and I love the extra space

Movies and shows are a meh, the aspect ratios are...weird and you don't gain as much size as you think because of the resulting black bars. But I've never been one to watch TV and movies on my phone like that, except on a plane

I have a Galaxy Z Flip 3, which I bought late 2021. The screen is fine, the durability is fine. I don't have it in a case (I don't use cases, because phones have gotten enormous enough, thank you). I've dropped it two or three times on asphalt, both open and closed. The metal is a little banged up on two corners, but it's purely cosmetic.

When I replace this, it'll be with another foldable, because folded, they fit in any pocket and are more durable than non-flip phones. I never worry than I'm doing to sit on it and break it in half, or something. When closed, the main screen is better protected than even with a case.

This phone has a tiny, almost useless external screen: it's touch sensitive, but only runs special apps, and I mostly use it just to check the time. When I upgrade, new phones have larger, more useful screens which can run arbitrary apps; at that point, I'll worry more about the external screen, but with a protector it won't be worse than what I used before folding phones.

My younger brother's family all have Samsung Fold phones - him, his wife, his eldest son. They don't have any tablets in the house, because there Fold opens into a small tablet. It's too big for my tastes, but I see the appeal of reducing the number of devices.

Folding phones are superior in all ways to non-folding phones, IMO.

Have one now, and had one before.

Don't bother, unless you're crazy.

I like it because I basically can build a terminal and ssh back home with my bluetooth keyboard in my bag, but otherwise it's basically useless, except for watching youtube sometimes.

When the trifold come out they might be worth it, that's a proper tablet really.

edit: Ok, 1 killer use-case: When your eyes start going, they're a godsend.

Yes - I do.

Pixel Fold 9 Pro (or some combo of those words)

I do mainly use the front screen. The narrower screen there is easier for navigating/typing. It's also my preferred screen for taking pictures.

I was expecting the large unfolded display to be good for videos, but it's just a little bit bigger than the main screen, but with a slightly visible crease down the middle. I still use it for video because it "stands up" easier on a table in tablet mode, and the video is a bit higher, which is easier on my neck. What I did not expect was how good it is for every day webpage usage. It's much easier to read article and view photos on the larger screen.

As far as durability goes, my phone came with a pre-applied self healing screen protector. After 7 months of regular pocket carry/daily driver, the inner display looks brand new, except for where the edges of the screen cross the hinge, there is some noticable "pocket dander" that has infiltrated that area, but it is easily removed with some of that electronics cleaner goop. I put my phone in a case, which is a PITA, because it has to be held on with adhesive, but I'm not worried about drops or condensation on the phone. It's head up fine to freezing temps and hot n humid yard work.

Would I get one again? Hard to say. At this time, the lack of apps properly supporting wider screens, and the trouble typing on the inner display are obvious downsides. Cost wise, with the black Friday trade in I got on my old phone, this foldable costs less per month, which was surprising. I do envy my wife's slimmer and lighter iPhone when we are doing long walks or mobile activities. If I got a good deal on a new foldable in 4 years, I'd probably go for it, otherwise I'd switch back to a standard phone.

I am open to questions about my experience (with the phone) so far, so feel free to ask.

I've owned a Galaxy fold 2, 3, and currently on a five. I don't think I can ever go back to a regular phone they're just fantastic

My friend has the galaxy fold. He likes it because he has a tablet with him everywhere.

I personally don’t want a tablet with me everywhere so I don’t want them. But that said I’m not at all worried about the screens durability. Foldable phones aren’t new at this point, they’ve worked the kinks out 🥁 Only long long term (10+ years) durability is my concern. I like playing with old devices and I’m sure they won’t age well in that regard.

I've been using a Flip 4 for the past 2 years now. It's great having a phone that can easily fit in my pants' pockets. The fragility thing is overblown IMO. I take it with me on hikes and mountainbike tours. The screen is still pristine. Only the factory-installed screen protector started showing some hairline cracks along the crease a few months ago, so I just replaced it. Not getting a slab phone again if I can help it.

My, not so tech savy uncle, who also works in Building Maintenance (so not the most clean and safe place for a flip phone) had one for the last couple of years and he had no problems. Always amazed me.

For what it's worth, the screen durability has gotten a lot better with recent phones. Some of the early models were way too easily damaged, but the current ones can withstand being treated like a normal phone.

That said, I still won't buy one until the price comes down. I think it's cool tech and I wouldn't mind having it, but it's nothing I *need*, especially not for the current prices.

A lot of people I work with have them and love them, especially the newer Google Folds and Samsung ones. Multitasking is great on it and the quality doesn't seem bad. These newer flip or fold options have gone a long way in quality over the past few years. If I could afford I would love one but I really don't value phones that much.

two of my good friends use them... idk if they are totally happy but we've been around the block a few times with technology, so idk

Yeah a buddy of mine (not rich) has one and seems to like it. It's the big style not the Moto Razr style. It's like two normal sized smartphones folded together, so when you open it you get a big roughly square screen about 6 inches on a side. About 2x the area of a normal phone screen. It's a Samsung, idk what model or what it cost. It looks nice. No idea about fragility. If you have a question I can relay it to him.

I absolutely love my fold 5! I read alot on my phone, and always having what is basically a tablet on you at all times is awesome for that. I do everything on the large screen, other than maybe a quick check of the lockscreen for notifications.

Another Pixel 9 Pro Fold here. I love it.

Inner screen is great for reading, which I do a lot of on my phone. Videos are nice, especially older videos with more square aspect ratios; I can even zoom in on widescreen videos where all the action is in the center for roughly the same effect.

If I didn't use my phone for documents so much it probably wouldn't be worth it, but I don't think I could go back now.

My partner had one until about a year ago when it broke irreversibly.

They're still making payments on it and the thing was already on its third screen when it died. They're cool and I think the idea is good, but I think the whole "bendable screen" idea is fundamentally flawed for smartphones.

I still have my Z Flip 3 that I got when it released. About 2 years ago the screen protector came off at the hinge, and I removed it as I couldn't stand the bubbles. Since then cracks have formed in the hinge and scratches on the lowet half of the screen. But it still works, that's the only problem I have with it. If I do ever replace it it's going to be to another flip phone, I love how small it gets when folded up.

I have a Motorola razr 2023. It's absolutely great.

The use case is that it fits in your pocket.

What even is the use-case for these, anyways?

A larger screen than you can get on a non-foldable phone without creating carrying issues.

My cousin got one some time back, said that she liked it at that point.

I think that it'd be preferable to just carry a 5G-capable tablet in a satchel or something.

Some years back, I got an underarm money belt --- very thin so it can be worn under clothing. I didn't wind up using it for my wallet much, but it did work well to carry a small tablet.

EDIT: This is the closest thing I can find on Amazon quickly to said belt. Very similar, though it's not the same.

I have a OnePlus Open and I love it. Folded, it's thin enough to use as a normal phone, and unfolded, it has a big screen to use for showing pictures to other people, watching videos, or playing games. I love it.

a friend has one of the massive samsung(?) phones that folds out to a huge screen

he loves having that much screen to use and not reported any particular problems

Yeah, and they are actually a lot more resistant than you think. The technology came a long way.

I'm dying for a pixel flip so that I can finally have the ultimate phone:

• Clam shape - the superior phone shape
• FOSS OS - GrapheneOS

The only person I know who has had one is a tech enthusiast / early adopter. He changes phones multiple times per year anyway so a short-lived screen while they work out design improvements probably isn't much of a concern for him.

Best use case I saw was multitasking. He could be writing or drawing on one half while reading from a reference on the other.

My aunt does. It's so she can squint less at the phone screen, and have bigger buttons on the touchscreen. She's not old, and she wears contacts, but she likes the extra screen real estate.

The wow factor of a screen that bends still hasn't worn off for me. No way I could justify the extra cost though. (Since you've gotten actual answers I won't feel too bad about chiming in with that)

I have one of the Galaxy Flip phones.

I really hate the idea of my phone just being a glass rectangle touch screen. I don't like the current options for physical keyboards, so flip is at least some weird tactile hardware gimmick I can go for.

A YouTuber I follow used a Galaxy fold for years, after the second year he said you could see the fold in the screen, considering people switch phones every 3 years on average, I don't think it's that big of a deal.

I would like to get one as soon as they get cheaper, since I don't buy flagships.

My eyesight is bad so a foldable works great for me when someone needs me to review a contract or documentation ASAP and it's not convenient to open my laptop right then.

I have the same fears about them and would personally never buy them, but the people I spoke who have one all said that they had no issues and loved the screen size. Personally I wouldn't feel comfortable using it knowing that a single grain of sand in the wrong place can fuck it all up. But apparently it's not too bad, at least anecdotally.

i have actually never seen one in the wild.

I have a friend who likes his because he can have it halfway open or clip it to his shirt pocket to use it as a hands free work light.

Depending on what kind of clothes you wear they can also carry better in your packet. (Assuming clamshell folding and not a folding tablet)

I have a friend with one but haven’t talked with her about it much.

I think a strong use case you may not have considered is women’s tiny or nonexistent pockets. Having a phone small enough to securely fit in a pocket while still having a large screen phone definitely has its appeal.

I’ll be honest. I think the people who want phones that fold out into even larger phones are completely unhinged. Phones are already way too big. My iPhone mini is about the maximum size I’d want a phone to be.

My friend actually has 2 (and 1 regular smartphone) and dailies the Galaxy Z Fold 6. She uses it for work and media consumption and loves it so much she's mentioned wanting the Huawei Mate XT.

I see the appeal for people who wants/needs the screen real-estate but it isn't required for regular users. Ultra/Pro models of phones being in a similar position of irrelevancy for people not obsessed with having the best camera.

I saw a smart flip phone once. Small smart screen on the outside, small smart screen on the inside, and a keypad that you could use to type with, using the forgotten skill.

I would love one of those.

I've seen the earlier iterations have problem, but also seen the newer ones are a lot better. Of course being newer means they still have their mettle to be tested in the real world.

I also have a friend who gave his wife and children the Galaxy flip phones. Don't know which one. But from what I could see, they're holding up fine. I'd have to ask him about them next time I meet.

And don't talk to me about giving expensive phones to children. They're teenaged enough by my reckon, and it's his responsibility.

I feel that is a very small niche market and i doubt they have reddit yet alone lemmy

I have a Samsung Flip3. I love how it fits neatly into my pocket and how I can easily place it at a good angle to read something while I'm at a table eating.

If you are clumsy with phones it's probably not a good idea, but if you are and the crease doesn't bother you, it's a fun phone.

Do beware that you pay a premium and you'll have worse battery life and camera for it.

Yeah I have the flip 6. I upgraded from the flip 3 for a larger cover screen. No issues with either of them.

I like that it takes up less pocket space and most tasks can be done on the cover without opening the phone. The flipping is neat but honestly I'd rather have a modern 4-4.5 inch android slab. Too bad all the major phone manufacturers have switched to only making giant pocket tablets.

I wouldnt use it personally. I dont like moving parts in my phone. I even avoid pressing the power, volume button needlessly.

I have a Samsung fold 3 that I've been using since launch. Never had any issues with it and don't use it with a case either. The inner screen is not cracked or missing anything but there is a visible crease, and the inner screen protector came off naturally a long time ago

My teamlead had a Galaxy fold (the big one, not the flip-style) second-hand so it was cheap-ish. She liked it, unfortunately she broke it (though not in a fold-specific way iirc). She now uses a regular slab phone due to the price difference.

I've seen her phone and a display model in the store, the crease really doesn't look that bothersome to me. I'd buy one if I could (somewhat) easily install another OS on it, if my current phone breaks or loses support for my apps. Assuming that they stick around and the price won't be as exorbitant in a year or two, that is...

New guy at work has one. I saw him pull it out and flip to check then closed it and i immediately said what the fuck you got a flip phone, thinking an old one. Nope its a newer one, with a very noticeable line in the middle of the screen. Seems so dumb.

Durability is definitely the down side. I had the 2019 Razr and it was perfect because it folded down into a pocketable size but the interior screen stopped responding to touch after about 6 months

I was thinking about getting one like the Nokia flip but they cost a bit and the hinge seems like a weak point. Got a CatB40 instead which wasn't much more and far more durable. Though showing signs of age at this point with multiple chips to the back of it from around the screws holding on the back.

I've had my Galaxy Tab for a couple of years, and it's just fine. I mainly use it as a tablet, rather than folding it all the time, but it seems like it is holding up.

2nd fold buyer here, love them. Use case is a lady in the streets but a freak in the sheets (spreadsheets). Desktop modes, RDP. It's great!

I have a friend who's had a foldable one for a couple months. She likes the big screen, it's probably too soon for durability issues.

I have a Galaxy Fold 2, had it for 5 years, and just this month, something happened to the hinge and it no longer opens flat. I have no idea what caused it, nothing visibly wrong with it, it just stopped opening all the way. Now the inner screen protector is bubbling at the center because it won't open properly. I'm debating getting a new one, I really like it, it's like having a tablet in your pocket. But they are expensive as hell and I'm gonna be unemployed here pretty soon, so I'm not sure if I'll get another.

I had a flip phone long long ago. I accidentally ran it through the washing machine. I dried it off, and it ran fine after. Idk the quality these days, but I know you can get them cheap or free

I have a galaxy z fold 3. It worked great for the first couple years, then problems started cropping up. Right around when the warranty ended, the inner screen became nonfunctional and the screen on the front started fracturing. The outer screen is too narrow for a lot of apps, and the inner one is too large for most apps to adapt. I highly recommend staying away from these types of devices. Also, Samsung is proving to be an incredibly frustrating company. For my next phone Ill be getting one of those repairable open source phones and putting Gnome on it.

My coworkers do. A woman uses a flipable, because it could fit in her pants' pocket.

Another use a foldable as a tablet, but he mostly use it folded, unless he need to read a book or taking a note.