General

While I find the fold tech pretty cool, it's current implementation hasn't been perfected to the point that I would consider buying it. I'd like to see a device last 5 years with average daily use and have minimal wear on the screen. From what I understand, these fold devices tend to have some separation happening in the screen and protection layers within the first 2 years.

I'm still rocking the S21 and don't see any need to upgrade. My usage is limited to web browsing, photo/video capture, gps & useful apps and light gaming. For work related things, most of what I need to do while away from my computer is manageable within the app/mobile interfaces

iPhone Fold or bust, still proudly rocking my iPhone 7 Plus with zero reason to upgrade other than the fact its capped at iOS 15 which still has another year or so of support, only way I would break is for a foldable iPhone.

Been using the Fold4 for a while and its fine. If you have a need to have a mini tablet at your finger tips, its a great thing to get. I can tell you that I am more annoyed at the front screen being tighter then a normal galaxy phone. I try not to use the phone unfolded unless its necessary.

No.

pr0phet wrote:

As in the width/resolution?

Can't say I really "need" a mini tablet, just seems fun. Has practical use for media, maybe some remote work ... I don't do much mobile gaming, but may be a good reason to do so now. For kids though, while out and about, could be quite awesome to have.

My fear is more so just the daily use. The amount of times I use my phone for work and personal, I just question is the extra size in normal mode wouldn't get crazy annoying.

Ha, trading an old ass s7 that's worth $20 to get $200 ... not a horrible idea.

The gdamn zFold is still insanely expensive. It's such a shame though, the speccs are pretty much the same. They made it lighter, better hinge, but the crease is still there and not built-in stylus.

I've waited out the last two releases thinking "this would be the one", but it's still not quite there yet.

More often than not, Samsung is really great with new phone trade-ins, if you have a newer model. Yet, their only offering $1k on the zFold 4 to go to the 5, which is a $800 delta. The S Series, the gap is typically much less. Meaning, jump a Fold 6 next year, feels like an overly expensive move.

MrBean wrote:

Width of the screen is a bigger problem. Typing my reply on it now and I have to be mindful to not hit the collapse all to go back to my home screen.

When browsing I don't use it unfolded. Games/media is great for extended use. Very easy to share! The space for note-taking is my diamond in the rough feature. Love having all that room to write. I do want to repeat that I don't actively unfold for every use. The hinges will go bad eventually. Either Z2 or Z3 actually had a major problem reported with this recently.

The size will be noticeable for some too. My wife laughed as ladies Jean pockets have little to no room. That alone made her say no.

I'm torn. I know I have to give up the N20U at some point. I dig the idea of the Fold, but I definitely dislike the width of the external screen. The note is the perfect size for my hands as I can manage it with one. The fold looks like it'll be a difficult adjustment. Saw a Fold 5 in person today at Best Buy, but it didn't have power.

At the cost, it seems bonkers that the s23u has better camera and battery. This combined with no microsd, no mst, no pen nor housing, and the crease... Yet, I feel like I can make do on all of this (I think). It's the width of the outside sticks as my biggest sticking point.

Alternatively, wait for s24u in 6 months, or Fold 6 in a year.

Gut says pass... Stupidity says plunge.

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@pr0phet As for the hinges, tenatively more durable on the f5. That and getting the care+ for $7 a month appears to be a necessity regardless.

Do you use a case? I hate that the pen doesn't have internal housing, so a case to hold a pen + kickstand feels neccessary.

I keep reading that once you take the plunge, you never go back. Do you see yourself ever reverting to a standard phone?

MrBean wrote:

@MrBean - Case was a requirement to support the pen(which was a separate purchase with the fold 4). I am not doing a care plan since I did take advantage of a trade in program last November. Got the Fold 4 for $750 after trade in of a Note20 Ultra.

In terms of going back to a standard phone... I don't know. The right deal for a nice standard phone will trump a fold any day of the week. I personally love the notes aspect over anything else though. It may be hard to give that up if writing is better suited on a fold compared to a standard.

Got the Fold 5 today, crazy torn.

There's a lot of good, and I'm OK (ish) finally giving up SD + MST ... but the thing that's holding me back is the narrow/small front screen. I understand what they were going for - one handed, and open for two handed ... cool, but not always practical. The narrow screen really sucks for typing and for screen layout. Using something like Nova, has a challenge with the different DPI's and rows vs. columns on layouts.

I've spent years optimizing my phone for features, gestures, shortcuts, folders, look, feel, widgets, everything ... pretty OCD about it. A big reason I can never go iPhone, because of customization.

Moving a Fold, you're kinda starting over. everything changs. Good, and bad.

I dunno, I have two weeks to play.

Anyone else get one? What are your thoughts?

@longhornsk57

I am really wanting a foldable. When I am due for an upgrade in 2024, I will give the Pixel Fold 2 a go since that should be out by then. I like the look of it, it's thinner.. but there are kinks to work out. I think I am done with Samsung, I love the hardware and while things have greatly improved on the software side nothing beats stock android IMO. I also am rather fond of Pixel exclusive camera features.. cant wait to see new versions of Magic eraser.