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Folding mobile phones were a big deal in the 1990s, but no one really expected a foldable smartphone to gain traction in today’s market. Folding screen phones like Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold4 and the Motorola Razr 2020 are making folding cool again, although they bear little resemblance to their 1990s ancestors.
Is the foldable smartphone the next step in phone evolution, or just a fad? Let’s examine the advantages of foldable phones, how they work, and if they’re worth their price tags.
How Foldable Screens Work
Foldable smartphones come in two basic styles. Like the Galaxy Z Fold4, some fold open to reveal a tablet-like screen with a hinge in the middle. When closed, this style of folding mobile phone has a secondary screen on the outside, which can be used as a regular smartphone.
The second type of folding screen looks like a regular smartphone when unfolded, and folds in half for easy transportation. When folded, you can use a small secondary screen to view notifications.
A foldable smartphone screen is either made from ultra-thin glass or, in the case of the Motorola Razr, a foldable OLED screen. Both types of foldable screen support Flex Mode, where the bottom half of the screen is used as a base.
Advantages of a Foldable Phone
Foldable screens have several advantages. Of the two, those that open to reveal two screens are more versatile than those that reveal a regular smartphone. The main advantage of a phone like the Motorola Razr is its small size when folded, as you don’t get a larger screen, and the secondary screen has limited capabilities.
The advantages of foldable phones such as the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 are more obvious. With the larger double screen, you gain a number of features:
- Foldable smartphones offer screen protection when folded.
- Screen size makes it easier to read books, play games, and browse the internet.
- Up to three apps can be open and visible on the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 screen at once.
- Larger screen sizes can increase your productivity.
- You get a larger screen without taking up more space in your pocket.
- Product specifications on a foldable mobile phone are similar to those found in high-end single-screen phones.
Disadvantages of Folding Screens
A folding mobile phone is not for everyone. As the newest technology on the smartphone circuit, foldable smartphones are more expensive than single-screen phones. Folding hinges are moving parts that can be susceptible to damage, and ultra-thin materials increase the risk of screen damage. Folding smartphones cannot be used with traditional phone protectors, so if you’re tough on your phone, folding screens may not be for you.
Folding mobile phones are thicker than single-screen phones when closed, which can be an issue for some people. You get a more compact phone for the corresponding screen size, but the folded phone will be about twice as thick as a normal smartphone.
The Best Foldable Smartphone
Of the folding screen phones on the market, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 leads the pack with a durable design and water-resistant housing. Folded open, you have access to a 7.6-inch edge-to-edge Dynamic AMOLED 2x display. When closed, you still have access to a 6.2-inch external display. Add in 5G capabilities and S Pen stylus support, and you have an excellent tablet-phone hybrid if you’re looking at buying a new phone.
Considering it has to power a small tablet screen when unfolded, the battery life of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 is impressive: approximately 22 hours unfolded and 26 hours folded. Camera capabilities offer a 50 MP wide, 12 MP Ultrawide, 4 MP Camera under the display, and 10 MP cover camera. You get 8K video recording, auto framing, and hyper-lapse capabilities are all included.
The Best Folding Screen Flip Smartphones
Two phones stand out from the crowd when it comes to clamshell folding screen phones. The Motorola Razr 2020 is a water-repellant little phone with a 16 MP camera and 4K video. The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 includes a multi-active window setting so you can access two apps simultaneously.
If you are like many others and want to touch and feel your next phone before selecting it then stop by a Victra-Verizon retail store before your next purchase.
is a skilled Web Developer and Designer. He builds and designs websites that focus on best UI/UX practices. Justin is also a Verizon Product Expert at Victra, helping customers with Verizon products and services. His mix of design, coding, product, and general knowledge makes him a valuable and knowledgeable team member.
