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<\/p>\nThey’re neat, but are they worth the price?<\/p>\n
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Framesira\/Shutterstock<\/p>\n
Apple, Google, Samsung \u2014 all the big-name manufacturers offer foldable phones, and consumers are growing more curious about them. While the category isn’t huge, accounting for approximately 2 percent\u00a0of the entire smartphone market, they are growing as shoppers decide the features they provide justify their significantly higher price<\/a>.<\/p>\n But perhaps it is true to say that when you are spending a good slice of $2,000+ on a device, you want it to be able to deliver on the higher end of the features it promises. So, what are the pros and cons of using a foldable phone?<\/p>\n Foldable phones: The pros<\/p>\n
Wongsakorn 2468\/Shutterstock<\/p>\n To name a few, people like foldables for:<\/p>\n Wow factor We’ll start with the “Wow” factor. The physical transformation of the device when you fold it out, and the satisfying “snap” as you fold it back again, attract attention and provide unique physical feedback you don’t get in standard smartphones. These devices are novel enough that 59 percent of smartphone owners are interested in the category, though cost and durability concerns remain.<\/p>\n With displays up to 8 inches, the category provides users with much larger displays in a product they can pocket. That’s space for leaned-back experiences like browsing, streaming video or reading; it’s also space for productive work, writing, editing and creative applications.<\/p>\n Manufacturers are optimizing the operating systems used by smartphones. That means better multitasking, multiple apps that open alongside each other, easy swiping through content between different apps and more. App developers are also improving their apps to make use of these unique folding platforms.<\/p>\n Because of how they are constructed, devices are flexible to use \u2014 use them folded like a phone, open them out to become a small tablet, half-fold them to deploy them as a mini-laptop or turn the device into a tripod-supported camera for video conferencing, selfies or photography. That flexibility means these phones can be used in ways others cannot.<\/p>\n Foldable phones: The cons<\/p>\n
Benjamin Fanjoy\/Getty Images<\/p>\n For all their versatility, there are several downsides to consider:<\/p>\n Folding resilience Folding devices are tested for folding resilience \u2014 the number of folds they can support \u2014 but no current models last forever. Some older models display visible creases which look unpleasant and get in the way when using apps. The flexible plastic or ultra-thin glass displays used can be prone to scratches.<\/p>\n
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\nDisplay size
\nFlexible use
\nMultitasking and multi-app support
\nFolding device caters to multiple needs<\/p>\n
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\nMechanical durability and dust\/liquid resilience
\nDisplay prone to scratches
\nCamera quality
\nBulk and weight
\nApps may not yet be optimized
\nRepair and replacement cost<\/p>\n