The introduction and integration of foldable devices into the general smartphone landscape is nothing short of impressive. What was once considered a very specific niche product has slowly gotten the attention of both “casual” and “hardcore” smartphone users, and has resulted in several major Android brands like Samsung, Motorola, and even Microsoft putting their own spin on foldable phone technology. .
The recent launch of the new Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 and Z Fold 4 proves that there’s definitely a market for this kind of hardware. But is it for everyone? As smartphones are a very personal piece of kit that we use daily, a lot goes into how we choose and eventually decide which kind of phone is the best for us.
Maybe you’re on the fence about getting a foldable smartphone, or maybe you’re finally dead-set on purchasing one for yourself – either way, we’d like to discuss some points of consideration about this particular topic. And given that these devices don’t come cheap (often ranging in the thousand-dollar price range), there’s definitely room for discussion on this matter.
With that said, you should definitely get a foldable if:
You’re After a New Look
Right off the bat, the thing that stands out the most with foldable devices is their design. Whether you’re after the “flip phone” stylings of the Motorola Razr 5G or the more tablet-esque form factor of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold series, it goes without saying that foldables have definitely set themselves apart in terms of looks and styling.
We understand that sometimes things can get boring, whether it be hobbies, careers, or daily life, and some folks are after new experiences – the same can be said for smartphones. Maybe you crave a handset that evokes a 180-degree approach away from the years and years of established handset design principles, in which case a foldable might be the best option for you to go with.
You Want Something High-End
It’s also no secret that foldable phones often feature high-end internals in addition to the fancy-looking design. Take the new Galaxy Z fold 4 for example – inside the phone you’ll find the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset, 12GB of RAM with up to 1TB of internal storage, and a triple-array camera, to name a few. As far as performance is concerned, this is a fast phone with some serious hardware.
That’s not to say that “standard” smartphones don’t have stellar hardware, though – after all, it’s clear that Samsung’s main flagship is still the Galaxy S22 Ultra. But in going with a foldable device, you get not only a unique design, but great performance as well, in addition to software features that are exclusive to a foldable display.
You Want a Bigger, Portable Screen
We suppose this last point is somewhat related to the first one we made, although this leans towards the likes of the Z Fold 4 and the Oppo Find N. One major advantage of a foldable device is that you get a bigger screen in a more portable form factor. There are times when some of us would rather browse or watch content on a larger display like a tablet for example, although carrying a device of such size with you all the time does pose some issues with overall pocket-friendliness.
With a foldable though, you can enjoy having a large-screened device that goes into your pocket afterwards, once you don’t need it anymore. Since a lot of them come with second screens, you can also treat them as a “regular” smartphone for operations that merely require a smaller display.
Final Thoughts
Of course, in the grander scheme of all things to do with smartphones, foldables aren’t the “be-all, end-all” – it all boils down to factors like personal preference, usage scenarios, and a budget to match. In addition to the points we mentioned above, we’re certain that there are a lot of more specific reasons to get a foldable smartphone (or reasons NOT to get one), which will no doubt be a personal matter.
Whatever the case may be, folding phones are most likely here to stay, and are always ready to provide a unique alternative for people willing to take the plunge.