In recent years, there has been the market introduction of the ‘foldable phones’ we’ve all been waiting for. These new devices will take the usage of smartphone to new level by serving the larger screen in addition to portability of conventional smartphone. The ideas around foldable phones have been around for quite some time now, but it was only in the last couple of years that main players such as Samsung and Huawei released their versions of such phones. With these advancements, there has been a great discussion as to whether foldable phones are worth the hype or not. In this article, the topic is going to be the foldable phones, the emerging technology behind them, the pros and cons to look for when thinking if the foldable phone could be for you or not.
People have been using folding phones for over one hundred years as the following article is going to showcase
The idea of foldable phones dates to the first decade of the 21st century and saw patents filed by Nokia, Sony and IBM for foldable phones. But the innovation of foldable phones only started in 2019. Samsung and Huawei the first when releasing their foldable devices Galaxy Fold and Mate X correspondingly.
Foldable phones are designed towards the idea of bending flexible displays. These displays can be made using different materials which include the plastic and poly imide films and these can be bent as they do not break. There are two types of foldable phones – those that fold inwards or outwards and the outer screen that is on the back of the phone cover. An addition to this, the main display when expanded provide a larger surface area on which one can for instance watch a video, surf the internet or work on two applications simultaneously.
Benefits of Foldable Phones
1. Larger Screen Size
And thus, the big benefit of the foldable phone’s form factor is the expanded screen, as the size of the screen on more long standing sort of smartphones. Foldable phones can have screen real estate that’s comparable to a tablet, and is thus well suited for media consumption or multi tasking. This feature makes foldable phones ideal especially for those who would love a bigger screen, but do not need a tablet.
2. Compact Form Factor
Although, foldable phones have a larger screen display they are relatively smaller in comparison to regular phones when not in use. This makes them easy to carry around unlike some of the larger equipment like tablets for instance. It also let the user have a second screen where one could easily view notification or messages without having to open the device.
3. Enhanced Multitasking
Thanks to foldable phones, there is an opportunity to open a completely new level of multitasking. Since larger screen size means the gadget’s display diagonal, users are able to work in parallel, easily switching between programs, which increases productivity. That’s a very positive feature for people who are using several apps at the same time, or if you are a designer or developer for instance.
4. Future-proof Technology
Purchasing a foldable phone means you are in possession of the cutting edge technology. This significant development is foldable phones that are considered the future generation mobile communication gadgets. They are thereby a future-proof investment because as the technology advances and becomes universal, foldable phones will also get cheaper in terms of acquisition.
Drawbacks of Foldable Phones
1. High Price Tag
At the present time, foldable phones are considered as a part of the premium segment, and it is well-known that they are traditionally significantly more expensive compared to traditional solutions. The high cost is as a result of those emerging technologies they incorporate in these gadgets like flexible displays and sophisticated hinge systems. This makes foldable phon s relatively limited in use and available mainly to those willing to try something new and different.
2. Durability Concerns
Another drawback which people have a lot of issues with folding devices is their sturdiness. The displays which are utilised on these devices and events are somewhat more delicate compared to rigid displays. This includes the scratches, cracks and probably display problems caused by folding and unfolding. This is a concern to potential buyers of foldable phones although manufacturers have taken lots of measures implementing different ways of enhancing the durability of the gadgets.
3. Limited Software Optimization
A final problem with foldable phones is the relatively modest optimization of the software as well. Up to the present time, all apps are developed for conventional SMs with a basic screen only. This means that a foldable application when running on a foldable phone may not use the extendable screen space and may not be optimized for a foldable device. However, with more develop and download of apps that are adaptive to foldable phones this is an anomaly likely to be addressed in future.
4. Battery Life
The screens-area on foldable phones is bigger than that of the more traditional ones, consuming more power. This can result in loss of battery power and more so if one is using the device in the open form factor. Manufacturers have made slight incremental updates in battery capacity and optimization in each successive foldable model, and this is something that’s an issue of concern for battery capacity.
Conclusion
Consequently, Foldable phones are a step forward in mobile computing which is the addition of a large screen coexisting with a compact form factor. To some extent we can observe the weak points of current HPC systems – high prices, durability questions and lack of software efficiency; however, these problems should be solved with theTechnology growth. If you are interested in a device that will have a greater display, more working screens, and forward thinking technology, then a fold out phone is something to look at. But if you are looking for cheaper, more rugged, and has a more mature app space, then you might want to wait it out with traditional smartphones. Finally, depending on the users, the features determine wether the choice is for a foldable phone or not.
