this post was submitted on 08 Feb 2024
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Report: Apple is testing foldable iPhones, having the same problems as everyone else::Don't expect these clamshell-style foldables in 2024 or 2025 or maybe ever.

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[–] Mr_Dr_Oink 113 points 9 months ago (1 children)

Apple already made a folding phone. It was called the iphone 6.

[–] theangryseal 9 points 9 months ago (2 children)

My boomerang lasted many years though, I’ll give it that.

I just upgraded from the 6 Plus to the 12 Max like a year ago.

I know Lemmy hates Apple, but I love iOS. Probably because I started on it. My son almost has me convinced though. I might let him pick my next phone and put LineageOS on it.

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[–] [email protected] 45 points 9 months ago (9 children)

Why don't we get back to smaller smartphones like a decadr ago?

[–] metallic_substance 27 points 9 months ago (1 children)

Same reason you can't buy a new small pickup truck. They don't make them because the mass market isn't there

[–] [email protected] 19 points 9 months ago (1 children)

Cmon! If I promise to put truck nuts on it and drive aggressively will you let me get the small one?

[–] [email protected] 8 points 9 months ago (1 children)

Sorry, it's not burning through enough diesel

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[–] [email protected] 14 points 9 months ago

Because they don't sell.

[–] TheGrandNagus 12 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago)

If you ignore screen size (which people erroneously use as a metric for phone size, since it's an easily findable and easy to understand number) and instead look at actual phone dimensions, most phones now aren't actually dissimilar. Bezels have shrunk a lot.

  • Galaxy S24, Jan 2024: 147mm x 70.6mm

  • Galaxy S5, Feb 2014: 142mm x 72.5mm

S24 frontal area = 10,378mm²

S5 frontal area = 10,153mm²

The S24 is only 2% larger than its decade-old equivalent. Not something you'd even notice.

If you include the thickness of the device, then the S24 is actually 4% smaller than its decade old equivalent.

Now sure, there were smaller phones, especially if you go further back, like an iPhone 3G genuinely would be considered tiny now.

It's just worth noting that phones aren't actually growing each year anymore like people say they are, and they haven't for a while. Bezels shrinking is a huge change in design for TVs, monitors, laptops, phones.

People are just hearing things like "6.3 inch screen" and they think "wow, my old phone only had a 4.5 inch screen. This phone must be so much larger!"

[–] [email protected] 5 points 9 months ago

I would really like to upgrade my 12 mini to an newer Mini model if they ever made one!

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[–] [email protected] 44 points 9 months ago (9 children)

I personally don't care I don't want a foldable phone ( my last job gave me a Flip 3 and it was a terrible experience) I'd rather phone with a removable battery than with a foldable screen.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 9 months ago

Removable batteries for sure, but I spent 20 years waiting for the clamshell design to make a comeback and I love my Flip (4). Phones need to fit in pockets and have a decent sized screen.

[–] glarf 7 points 9 months ago (4 children)

I can't speak for the flip, but the fold 4 is fantastic. I can't imagine going back to a slab

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[–] [email protected] 5 points 9 months ago (1 children)

Doubt it will ever get back to how it was with how easily they could be removed but there may be steps towards it https://www.euronews.com/green/2023/06/22/new-eu-law-to-force-smartphone-makers-to-build-easily-replaceable-batteries

[–] [email protected] 12 points 9 months ago

You can replace the battery easily on fairphone 5

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[–] [email protected] 43 points 9 months ago (4 children)

I can't wait for Apple to announce in a key note they've revolutionised the phone market again with the world's first folding phone.

Those apple boys are so talented 😊.

[–] killeronthecorner 59 points 9 months ago (1 children)

Did you say folding phone? Ew

I think you'll find it's the new iPhone 17 with dynamic flex technology and that Tim Cook will repeatedly say on stage that this has "never been done before".

[–] menemen 8 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago) (3 children)

But what apple specific non standard proprietary shit will they implement that you will have to buy from them for 10 times the price that competitors offer the equivalent. This is the interesting question.

[–] killeronthecorner 4 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago)

The case for one - do you want a case without Dynamic Flex ©®™ compatibility like some commoner?

I would have previous said a folding lightning cable connector, but the EU have saved me the bother.

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[–] bruhduh 8 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago)

They actually was first with folding smartphone though, remember iPhone 6 bending drama

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[–] [email protected] 42 points 9 months ago (6 children)

Did anyone ask for folding phones?

[–] [email protected] 43 points 9 months ago (1 children)

For the love of god, yes. About half the time, I want a phone. The other I want a tablet. A foldable phone similar to the galaxy fold is exactly what I want.

But I’m locked into the Apple ecosystem for multiple reasons. And no, “just get two devices” isn’t that great an option. I don’t use them at the same time, why not just have them be the same device? Also helps with the fact that I might want to go back and forth between something in both modes.

[–] [email protected] 10 points 9 months ago

Well, I just got the S24 Ultra and it's darnn near tablet size. This dwarfs my previous Note. I'm just happy to finally have a flagship Samsung with a flat screen. Rounded screens suck.

[–] [email protected] 32 points 9 months ago (1 children)
[–] SinningStromgald 9 points 9 months ago (1 children)

Steve, it was fucking Steve wasn't it?

[–] Gigan 8 points 9 months ago (1 children)
[–] SinningStromgald 5 points 9 months ago

That selfish prick! I hope I missed his funeral.

[–] [email protected] 17 points 9 months ago (3 children)

I live in Korea and I see the Samsung foldable phones in the hands of like every 5th person, so yeah I'd say they sell

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[–] [email protected] 10 points 9 months ago (2 children)

Samsung is up to Fold 5, so at least someone keeps buying them. Though they are also up to Flip 5, a concept so dumb I honestly won't believe anyone wants or uses one, so who knows.

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[–] [email protected] 5 points 9 months ago (1 children)

Yes! Phones with small screens are not useful. Phones which don't fit in pockets are not useful. Flip phones solve the problem and I've been wanting one for twenty years.

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[–] GeekySalsa 5 points 9 months ago

Yes. I have the fold 3 and will ask for another foldable when the time to upgrade comes.

[–] [email protected] 14 points 9 months ago (12 children)

the problems:

  1. they’re crap
  2. they break easily because they’re crap
  3. they’re expensive and have a high cost of ownership because they’re crap
  4. NOBODY FUCKING WANTS THEM

so, why is this happening?

[–] [email protected] 47 points 9 months ago (1 children)

Personally, I love fold phones. They give me portability and a big screen which are the two things I most want in a phone

[–] [email protected] 28 points 9 months ago (1 children)

Yeah I totally believe that they break easily and are way too expensive. But that applies to any cutting edge product ever. Assuming the flaws can be engineered out, the fundamental benefit of having a large screen on a small/portable phone is definitely a killer feature.

[–] SlopppyEngineer 5 points 9 months ago

I broke most of my previous phones in a variety of ways. The more expensive, the easier they broke. I can't make a phone last. I'm afraid to even look at a foldable.

[–] [email protected] 22 points 9 months ago

Um... I started with a Fold 2 and currently on a fold 5. Maybe YOU don't want them, but it's hardly nobody.

[–] [email protected] 17 points 9 months ago (9 children)

Shit on Apple for a lot of things, but if they put out a foldable it’s not likely to be crap hardware. Just overpriced with an annoying OS.

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[–] GeekySalsa 14 points 9 months ago

I've had my fold3 for over 2 years and I absolutely love it. I don't think I can go back to a bar-phone now. Also, even if you really don't like folding phones, why fight creativity? Before this phones were getting so boring and completely lacking innovation. They still are in the non-folding market. Even if you don't like them, choice is never a bad thing.

[–] glarf 5 points 9 months ago

Hard disagree, fold 4 gang.

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[–] Coreidan 6 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago) (7 children)

The only improvement I care about is bringing back physical buttons. Touch screens suck ass. I don’t give a fuck about cameras. I don’t give a fuck about folding bullshit. All I want is an interface that doesn’t blow dick. Apple is garbage along with the rest of them. Clueless fucking morons.

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