Folding smart phones, fad or future?
Alec Harris, Associate writer
picture courtesy of Pixebay
Smartphones are some of the most important tools that today’s culture uses. Because of this, the drive to create new and better phones never stops. There is a constant need to push new innovation and new direction with the devices. The newest innovation is very different. Huawei and Samsung have released footage of new foldable smartphones.
These phones have the ability to unfold and extend the screen size. This tablet mode allows for tons of multitasking and other tricks. The Huawei Mate X and Samsung Galaxy Fold are the first two devices to bring this technology to the table.
The Huawei Mate X folds outward with screen on both the front and back when it is closed. The Samsung Galaxy Fold opens out with the tablet screen hidden when in the phone position. The potential for these devices is incredible. The devices could completely change what people look for in a smartphone. This is one more step towards unifying all the technology a person needs into a singular device.
The main draw is the convenience to take whatever a person is looking at and suddenly have that thing open on a tablet instead of a phone. The convenience and size of a smartphone can suddenly contain the luxury and immersion of a tablet. That has amazing potential and if done correctly will not just be a random attempt at a unique idea but could become the next staple in the world of smartphones.
There are also some concerns. First of all the devices are insanely expensive. The Mate X will sell for approximately $2600. The Galaxy Fold will be approximately $2000.
On top of this, the phone side of the screen of the Fold is slightly smaller than other Samsung devices. This could be a turn off for some people. The Mate X screen has a slight bulge in the center where the fold takes place since it swings open towards the crease. The screen reportedly obviously looks plastic which of course has to be the case to achieve the folding action.
The real question for a possible consumer is whether or not the convenience of having a tablet in their pocket will make up for the potential annoyances of the smaller screen. These phones are for people who use their phones much more than the average person. For people who aren’t huge on spending lots of time on their phones, there isn’t much of a point. For people who watch a lot, who do work and otherwise are engaged with their phones, the potential is there.
Anyone who isn’t at least interested in the potential hasn’t taken a close enough look. Time will tell whether or not the attempt lives up to the expectations needed to make this any more than a passing fad.
