Samsung Announces the Galaxy Fold, a Phone That Opens Into a Tablet (venturebeat.com)

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Samsung Announces the Galaxy Fold, a Phone That Opens Into a Tablet (venturebeat.com)

Posted by msmash on Wednesday February 20, 2019 @07:30AM from the how-about-that dept.

At an event today, Samsung unveiled its foldable smartphone. It's called the Galaxy Fold, and it sports dual screens: one that folds in half like a notebook, and another that works just like any other. From a report: The roughly 200-gram Galaxy Fold flips open in portrait orientation, and the inside is coated with a film that gives it a photopaper-like appearance. It's got a protective polymer consisting of a cover window, a shock-absorbent film, and a polarizer that's 45 percent slimmer than the company's previous thinnest, along with a flexible layer and backplane. Samsung says the tech -- dubbed Infinity Flex Display -- took seven years to develop. Thanks to a highly durable adhesive, the Fold's 7.3-inch primary screen and "sophisticated" hinge system with interlocking gears can undergo "hundreds of thousands" of flexes without sustaining damage, Samsung says. The 4.6-inch secondary screen doesn't bend, and that's by design -- it puts apps at your fingertips when the Fold's folded in half. [...] It's available in both an LTE and 5G version, starting at an eye-popping $1,980. April 26 is the launch date.

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For anyone who gives a fuck about this shit by Anonymous Coward · 2019-02-20 07:36 · Score: -1

The world does not need you.
1. Re: For anyone who gives a fuck about this shit by Anonymous Coward · 2019-02-20 07:39 · Score: 0
  
  Too small when unfolded. 7.2 inches isn't really a tablet and won't be much more useful than my 6.3" galaxy 8+. This phone is what I've been waiting for and that blew it. Go big or go home.
2. Re:For anyone who gives a fuck about this shit by BuckBundy · 2019-02-20 07:40 · Score: 0
  
  I guess I will feed the troll - Jesus, dude, this is what site is all about - technology.
  GTFO of here.
  
  --
  BookDetective.net - book search engine and ranker I donate my skills to.
3. Re:For anyone who gives a fuck about this shit by 110010001000 · 2019-02-20 07:42 · Score: 1
  
  Exactly. This is technological innovation at its finest. It is amazing what the human race can accomplish.
4. Re:For anyone who gives a fuck about this shit by Anonymous Coward · 2019-02-20 07:44 · Score: 0
  
  "Samsung says the tech -- dubbed Infinity Flex Display -- took seven years to develop." - And we've talked about it at least 7000 times since. "wow, fold your dick into your phone, amaaaaaazing"
  Go fuck yourself, or find something shiny to put in your nest you boring magpies. You're breathless fangirls for $1200 gimmicks.
5. Re:For anyone who gives a fuck about this shit by 110010001000 · 2019-02-20 07:45 · Score: 1
  
  $1200? I pre-ordered one for $1980. Where did you see $1200?
6. Re:For anyone who gives a fuck about this shit by Anonymous Coward · 2019-02-20 07:47 · Score: 0
  
  Shoulda been 2000. You sunk my typo battleship. Holy shit my life is over, I might as well cut my balls off and call myself Kendall now.
7. Re: For anyone who gives a fuck about this shit by ranton · 2019-02-20 07:51 · Score: 1
  
  Too small when unfolded. 7.2 inches isn't really a tablet and won't be much more useful than my 6.3" galaxy 8+. This phone is what I've been waiting for and that blew it. Go big or go home.
  This. I'm looking forward to this form factor of phone, but it may take a couple generations before there is one I would buy. The rumored 6.7" Galaxy S10 5g is likely my next phone. As soon as there is a 6.7" folded / 10.6" unfolded phone, or something similar, sign me up. Until then I'll be fine with the S10.
  
  --
  -- All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing. -- Edmund Burke
8. Re: For anyone who gives a fuck about this shit by Anonymous Coward · 2019-02-20 07:57 · Score: -1
  
  "Wow, fold-open malware and apps that can't be deleted, where do I drop the $2,000 shiny gimmick fee?" - Another sucker.
9. Re:For anyone who gives a fuck about this shit by Anonymous Coward · 2019-02-20 08:00 · Score: 0
  
  you seem to have wandered onto the wrong site by mistake. This is a technology news forum. Perhaps go find a site for luddites.
10. Re:For anyone who gives a fuck about this shit by Oswald+McWeany · 2019-02-20 08:02 · Score: 1
  
  $1200? I pre-ordered one for $1980. Where did you see $1200?
  Were you aware this wasn't a rotary phone before placing the order? Probably still time to cancel. :p
  
  --
  "That's the way to do it" - Punch
11. Re:For anyone who gives a fuck about this shit by Oswald+McWeany · 2019-02-20 08:05 · Score: 2, Insightful
  
  The world does not need you.
  Think of it as a foldable tablet that will replace your phone instead of a phone that becomes a tablet. I can see use in that. I never use my tablet because there are things a PC does better, and other things a phone is adequate for, and the phone is always charged and handy.
  If my tablet folded and I could carry it around in my pocket instead of my phone... that's a good thing.
  Not worth $2000 or even half that much to me- but it's still a good development. Give it a few years, apple will come out with one and be praised in the media for innovating and developing a new tech category and for keeping the price reasonable at $3000.
  
  --
  "That's the way to do it" - Punch
12. Re: For anyone who gives a fuck about this shit by Anonymous Coward · 2019-02-20 08:06 · Score: 0
  
  Exactly what I'm waiting for. That's a real tablet. Until it's a decent size when unfolded, it's just another gimmick. Sadly, it seems they've missed their real market on this: nobody that will shell out $2k is looking for a small 4.6" phone. Big when folded, giant when unfolded is what will sell. They blew it.
13. Re: For anyone who gives a fuck about this shit by Anonymous Coward · 2019-02-20 08:06 · Score: -1, Troll
  
  If Apple made one, people wouldn't hesitate to drop $2000 for it.
14. Re:For anyone who gives a fuck about this shit by 110010001000 · 2019-02-20 08:21 · Score: 1
  
  I agree.
15. Re: For anyone who gives a fuck about this shit by ranton · 2019-02-20 08:23 · Score: 3, Insightful
  
  Exactly what I'm waiting for. That's a real tablet. Until it's a decent size when unfolded, it's just another gimmick. Sadly, it seems they've missed their real market on this: nobody that will shell out $2k is looking for a small 4.6" phone. Big when folded, giant when unfolded is what will sell. They blew it.
  Hopefully this is just an effort for them to stay on top as far as innovative phones. I just hope they don't scrap the idea if it doesn't sell well. Get it out there, get some QA help from the few early adopters, and then the Samsung Fold 3+ is an amazing phone. [crosses fingers]
  
  --
  -- All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing. -- Edmund Burke
16. Re: For anyone who gives a fuck about this shit by Anonymous Coward · 2019-02-20 08:32 · Score: -1
  
  Yeah they would. The whining would be all over this site. See : Every single iphone article
17. Re: For anyone who gives a fuck about this shit by jellomizer · 2019-02-20 08:36 · Score: 1
  
  Being that it is more of a square layout, gives you more pixels to work with then with the rectangle phone layout. Part of the reason why Monitors jumped to be 16:9 vs the old 4:3 is for LCD display in particular, it is cheaper to make larger screens. Because they are less pixels per diagonal inch.
  
  --
  If something is so important that you feel the need to post it on the internet... It probably isn't that important.
18. Re: For anyone who gives a fuck about this shit by Anonymous Coward · 2019-02-20 08:47 · Score: 0
  
  "Yeah, that should stop the malware-phones-home-by-default-in-apps-you-can't-delete problem."
19. Re:For anyone who gives a fuck about this shit by Anonymous Coward · 2019-02-20 08:56 · Score: 0
  
  With attitudes like that we'd be all chipping away at stone tablets still.
20. Re:For anyone who gives a fuck about this shit by jellomizer · 2019-02-20 08:57 · Score: 1
  
  When we look back at history we see changes in decades or centuries. The stupid ideas get forgotten, while the good ideas have been deeply understood.
  We look at the 20th century we See the human race go from horses, to Autombiles, Aircraft, and Spaceships that can get to the moon. Transportation seemed to be the big thing the 20th century, Now for the 21st right now it seems like communication and computing is the big deal. We are only 1/5 threw the 21st century.
  We started out with Cell phones that had Digital Voice Service, to ones that can run applications, and had basic internet connectivity, We then got the smart phone, with a more processing power then most of the computers we had in the year 2000. People now have their phone on them nearly all the time, one of the least used feature on the phone, is actually talking to an other person, but communicating over texting, and messaging. When we run into information we don't know what is about we look it up.
  Now there are problems with the technology much like problems with transportation technologies last century. We are having problems with Misinformation, differentiating opinion (like from me, as I had done NO RESEARCH ON THIS), from fact with real research. Being that we can communicate with anyone, we have fallen into finding like minded people, which as made us closed minded, because now there are the others who disagree with us. These are problems that need to be addressed, however who knows, that little extra screen real estate can be part of the problem, or part of the solution.
  
  --
  If something is so important that you feel the need to post it on the internet... It probably isn't that important.
21. Re: For anyone who gives a fuck about this shit by Anonymous Coward · 2019-02-20 08:59 · Score: -1
  
  There would be whining, followed by buying.
22. Re: For anyone who gives a fuck about this shit by Scoth · 2019-02-20 09:01 · Score: 2
  
  I guess it just goes to show preferences - I prefer smaller phones and tablets so these sizes would be about perfect for me. But there's no way in hell I'm paying $2000 for it. It's an interesting first try though.
23. Re:For anyone who gives a fuck about this shit by jellomizer · 2019-02-20 09:05 · Score: 1
  
  Part of the problem with Tablets is that they are too big to carry with you, the problem with a Phone, is the screen size is limited. Now if this technology works really well, this could change the market. For the last 11 years everyone was making rectangular glass phones to mimic the iPhone design as much as they can get away with (sometimes crossing the line, the round cornered line). Now if this technology proves itself, now a lot of Phone Companies (including Apple) will need to play catch up. When Apple released the iPhone, it really put other phone makers back to the drawing board, and took them a couple of years to catch up.
  
  --
  If something is so important that you feel the need to post it on the internet... It probably isn't that important.
24. Re:For anyone who gives a fuck about this shit by IMightB · 2019-02-20 09:08 · Score: 1
  
  I like this way of thinking... It's a tablet that will replace my phone. The moment I saw it my Lizard Brain said "Must Have", then I saw the price and my Wallet Brain said "Wait a few years...", then my Nerd Brain asked "Can I root it and put Lineage on it?" Doing anything other than talking on the current gens of even Phablets is a pain (Im sporting a V30), they are too large to be easily portable, and too small to be useful. I think that as this type of device progress's it will be very popular.
25. Re: For anyone who gives a fuck about this shit by green1 · 2019-02-20 09:11 · Score: 2
  
  Which is exactly the same with phones. The recent craze of "bigger screens" hasn't actually been larger screens, it's just been different shapes, the screen aspect ratio these days is 2:1 or in some cases even narrower (I've seen 19:9) It's pure marketing, screens are measured diagonally, and the narrower and taller the display, the larger that number appears for the same number of pixels. And worse yet, the usable area is smaller than before because we're now back to watching movies with black bars on the sides, playing games with black bars on the sides, and trying to read text that's like an old fashioned newspaper column (2 words wide, 50 lines long)
  
  Now a 7.2 inch square, that's probably useful, though there are a bunch of other UI/usability issues to be considered first.
26. Re: For anyone who gives a fuck about this shit by Rhipf · 2019-02-20 09:20 · Score: 1
  
  I'd say the big reason that monitors went from 4:3 to 16:9 was because of HD tv taking over from SD. If television programing stayed in the 4:3 format then monitors would have stayed in the 4:3 format as well. No sense making two different aspect ratio LCD screens when you can just use the same panels for monitors or televisions.
27. Re:For anyone who gives a fuck about this shit by mckwant · 2019-02-20 09:32 · Score: 1
  
  Think of it as a foldable tablet that will replace your phone instead of a phone that becomes a tablet. I can see use in that. I never use my tablet because there are things a PC does better, and other things a phone is adequate for, and the phone is always charged and handy.
  If my tablet folded and I could carry it around in my pocket instead of my phone... that's a good thing.
  Why? Even ignoring cost, the PC isn't replaced, and you still need a phone.
  I see this (slightly) extending the same "luxury phone" market segment as the Galaxy Note series. The Fold's screen isn't that much bigger, and both lack a physical keyboard.
  Also notable: I can't (quickly) find its weight, and it sorta looks like a Nintendo DS, but I suppose nobody remembers side-talking.
  
  --
  ceci n'est pas un sig.
28. Re: For anyone who gives a fuck about this shit by Anonymous+Brave+Guy · 2019-02-20 09:32 · Score: 1
  
  Given that Apple's sales are way down for their high-end phones, to the point where they are openly talking about having to reduce prices, I think your information may be a little out of date.
  
  --
  If you disagree, post your argument. (-1, Overrated) isn't your personal censorship tool for views you don't like.
29. Re: For anyone who gives a fuck about this shit by Anonymous Coward · 2019-02-20 09:33 · Score: 0
  
  We've been stuck with 16:9 ever since. Shame they didn't choose 5:3 instead, which was the format of French Cinema and Japanase analog HDTV.
  I wouldn't mind if 5:3 was an option on laptop and desktop. If you want to watch with no black bars cropping from 1.7777... to 1.666.... would be good enough.
30. Re: For anyone who gives a fuck about this shit by Anonymous Coward · 2019-02-20 09:39 · Score: 0
  
  Well, that is /exactly/ what Samsung showed in their closing "concept video"... The foldable device that this should have been. S10 screen on the front, Fold screen on the inside.
31. Re:For anyone who gives a fuck about this shit by Anonymous Coward · 2019-02-20 09:50 · Score: 0
  
  Remember the Blackberry Passport? I never had one and never will, but maybe it was a good idea or attempt (esp. if the keyboard is useful to you and content isn't jumping or covered by the software keyboard all the time). OR it can be a bad example of too big to be useful, too small to be useful.
32. Re: For anyone who gives a fuck about this shit by mobby_6kl · 2019-02-20 09:52 · Score: 1
  
  You're all missing the fact that the unfolded display is entirely different aspect ratio (4.2:3), so at 7.2" is a waaay bigger display than on the regular phones.
  It's a bit rough (I'd definitely want a bigger outside display, slightly thinner body and no notch on the inside, cameras be damned) but for a first gen of such a device I think they did a pretty good job, hopefully it sells enough that they continue developing the concept.
33. Re: For anyone who gives a fuck about this shit by Anonymous Coward · 2019-02-20 09:57 · Score: 0
  
  There would be whining, but from people who don't use Apple products. The Apple users, or the richer among them, would buy.
34. Re: For anyone who gives a fuck about this shit by alvinrod · 2019-02-20 10:08 · Score: 1
  
  16:9 is a shit resolution for anything other than HD TV content and it’s not even great for that purpose since a lot of films end up getting letterboxed since they’re not natively 16:9. At least you can buy 16:10 monitors. I still use 4:3 monitors for secondary displays. Anything I’d want to do on them would be wasted on anything wider. I know some people turn the sideways so you’ve essentially got a 9:16 which is actually pretty decent for a lot of documents.
35. Re: For anyone who gives a fuck about this shit by Anonymous Coward · 2019-02-20 10:10 · Score: 0
  
  If Apple made one, people wouldn't hesitate to drop $2000 for it.
  If Apple made one, it would be WORTH $2000.
  BIG Difference!
36. Re:For anyone who gives a fuck about this shit by Anonymous Coward · 2019-02-20 10:24 · Score: 0
  
  You bought this? LOLzzzzz!!!!!!
  Your balls need to be cut off because you lack common sense.
37. Re: For anyone who gives a fuck about this shit by ranton · 2019-02-20 10:33 · Score: 1
  
  You're all missing the fact that the unfolded display is entirely different aspect ratio (4.2:3), so at 7.2" is a waaay bigger display than on the regular phones.
  I don't really see anyone missing that, since when everyone is talking about the unfolded display they are comparing it to tablets which have a more similar aspect ratio. The fact remains that the 7.2" unfolded display would be a very small tablet. That doesn't make it a horrible product (mini-tablets sell) just not what I or other similar people are looking for. Hopefully in a couple more releases.
  
  --
  -- All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing. -- Edmund Burke
38. Re: For anyone who gives a fuck about this shit by myid · 2019-02-20 10:34 · Score: 1
  
  Big when folded, giant when unfolded is what will sell.
  Even better: small when folded, giant when unfolded. I'd like a phone that lets you unfold it at least 3 times, doubling the screen area with each unfold. Or maybe unroll a rolled-up screen, like this one.
39. Re: For anyone who gives a fuck about this shit by shmlco · 2019-02-20 11:02 · Score: 1
  
  I need to see it in person, as from the video it appears to be big, heavy, and fat.
  It’s over twice the thickness as a standard phone, as you’ll notice late in the video that the hinge side doesn’t fold completely flat. Guess that’s the only way to avoid a crease in the screen.
  Be interesting trying to pocket this thing.
  
  --
  Any sect, cult, or religion will legislate its creed into law if it acquires the political power to do so.
40. Re: For anyone who gives a fuck about this shit by shmlco · 2019-02-20 11:04 · Score: 1
  
  A trim-fold with that technology would be a brick, almost 4x the thickness of a modern slab phone.
  
  --
  Any sect, cult, or religion will legislate its creed into law if it acquires the political power to do so.
41. Re:For anyone who gives a fuck about this shit by shmlco · 2019-02-20 11:09 · Score: 0
  
  "If my tablet folded and I could carry it around in my pocket instead of my phone... that's a good thing."
  It’s over twice the thickness as a standard phone, as you’ll notice late in Samsung's video that the hinge side doesn’t fold completely flat. Guess that’s the only way to avoid a crease in the screen.
  Trying to pocket it will be interesting, and there's no way I'd ever put it into a back pocket where sitting down could put significant pressure on that hinge.
  
  --
  Any sect, cult, or religion will legislate its creed into law if it acquires the political power to do so.
42. Re: For anyone who gives a fuck about this shit by HiThere · 2019-02-20 11:24 · Score: 2
  
  If Apple had made it a decade ago, when they cared about quality, it would be worth $2000. This decade... there've been so many cases where it was blatantly obvious that they didn't care about quality, that I wouldn't pay a two cent bonus for "Apple standing behind it".
  
  --
  
  I think we've pushed this "anyone can grow up to be president" thing too far.
43. Re: For anyone who gives a fuck about this shit by Anonymous Coward · 2019-02-20 14:04 · Score: 1
  
  One thousand nine hundred and eighty dollars?
  How about one thousand nine hundred and go f*** yourself with a retractable cattle prod.
44. Re: For anyone who gives a fuck about this shit by Anonymous Coward · 2019-02-20 18:13 · Score: 0
  
  >Yeah they would hesitate
  >/. is iphone hate
  You can't swing a cat in here without hitting a "techie" who still hasn't figured out how to disable quotemark hijacking.
45. Re:For anyone who gives a fuck about this shit by Oswald+McWeany · 2019-02-21 01:58 · Score: 1
  
  "If my tablet folded and I could carry it around in my pocket instead of my phone... that's a good thing."
  It’s over twice the thickness as a standard phone, as you’ll notice late in Samsung's video that the hinge side doesn’t fold completely flat. Guess that’s the only way to avoid a crease in the screen.
  Trying to pocket it will be interesting, and there's no way I'd ever put it into a back pocket where sitting down could put significant pressure on that hinge.
  A phone being "too thick" has never been a concern of mine. "Normal phones" are half the thickness of the original smart phones now, and no-one ever thought they were too thick back in the day.
  Thickness of a phone hasn't been a problem for over a decade.
  
  --
  "That's the way to do it" - Punch
46. Re: For anyone who gives a fuck about this shit by someoneOtherThanMe · 2019-03-06 19:16 · Score: 1
  
  4.2:3, why not express it as 1.4:1 if it's not integer anyway? Or will Huawei then make a twice as big 7.2" screen, because it will be 8.4:6?
Wow by 110010001000 · 2019-02-20 07:41 · Score: 1

It is like living in the future.
1. Re:Wow by jellomizer · 2019-02-20 07:54 · Score: 1
  
  Sure we give a 2k phone from Samsung a pass, but when a year and a half ago Apple releases a 1k phone. We are are all like, Look at Apple Ripping us off again!
  Actually I am giving Samsung a pass on this... Not that I am going to buy it (For one my phone is still new, and secondly it is $2k that I could put to something else, like dental surgery), but it is a novel idea, and not a copy from some other model.
  Now the real question is if Samsung has made a progress, or just a quick fad.
  We will need to see how well it works, how robust it is, and application availability and support.
  Often the initiative design is ahead of its time, and people are just not ready for it, and some technological gaps, that make it not quite ready.
  Kudos to Samsung if it is a big hit.
  
  --
  If something is so important that you feel the need to post it on the internet... It probably isn't that important.
2. Re:Wow by Anonymous Coward · 2019-02-20 07:55 · Score: 0
  
  "The future is here and it's boring incremental feature-add gimmick shit for fucking 2 grand!" - Futurist
3. Re:Wow by Anonymous Coward · 2019-02-20 08:02 · Score: 0
  
  Except apple won't release it at 1k, they would release it a year later at 3k, hence why they get slammed.
4. Re:Wow by chrism238 · 2019-02-20 08:08 · Score: 1
  
  It is like living in the future.
  Yes, the very distant future, when I can afford $2000 for a phone.
5. Re:Wow by Anonymous Coward · 2019-02-20 08:12 · Score: 0
  
  Reality is hard-contradicting you again.
6. Re:Wow by 110010001000 · 2019-02-20 08:22 · Score: 1
  
  In the future we will all drive Teslas and have these phones. On Mars.
7. Re:Wow by AmiMoJo · 2019-02-20 08:25 · Score: 1
  
  I'm just glad we are finally getting practical foldable phones. The tech will quickly get cheaper and we can have a phone and tablet in one. Finally a major advance in smartphone tech.
  
  --
  const int one = 65536; (Silvermoon, Texture.cs)
  SJW, n: "Someone I don't like, and by the way I'm a fuckwit" - AC
8. Re:Wow by Oswald+McWeany · 2019-02-20 08:33 · Score: 1
  
  It is like living in the future.
  Yes, the very distant future, when I can afford $2000 for a phone.
  Given enough time, inflation will ensure that $2000 is the same as $200 is today. Heck, that only takes 10 days with Venezuelan money.
  
  --
  "That's the way to do it" - Punch
9. Re:Wow by Anonymous Coward · 2019-02-20 08:41 · Score: 0
  
  "Hold my Diet Coke, I'm about to start a trade war distraction on a whim" - Drumpf
10. Re:Wow by Anonymous Coward · 2019-02-20 14:33 · Score: 0
  
  Because Samsung sells phones across the spectrum, from low-end to high-end. Apple had the iPhone SE which was "cheap" at the list price of $350, but killed it. They are clearly afraid of undercutting their own products.
  Besides, all these electronics companies have overpriced demonstration products of no use to anyone outside people/companies that want to brag.
11. Re:Wow by Anonymous Coward · 2019-02-21 00:10 · Score: 0
  
  and then we will never see a similar phone again, because it didn't sell!
12. Re:Wow by jellomizer · 2019-02-21 01:37 · Score: 1
  
  Samsung has a world wide market, while Apple is more focused towards American sales. While most Americans make over 20k a year, other countries may only be making 5k a year. So for an American who is making 50+k a year. $1,000 for a phone may be an expensive purchase, but it will not cut into necessary needs for survival, one can save up $1,000 in a rather short amount of time, even someone at the US poverty line. If you are making $5k a year and you wan't need a Cell phone $1,000 is a luxury phone that you just can't justify. That would be akin to a $10,000 phone for an American, and only bought by those who wear real Rolexs (Not the genuine Rolex that you find in a NYC, guy who has them in his pocket).
  Samsung, working in the world market, has to make a set of devices to meet the world populations needs, from Cheap and ugly to Expensive and refined.
  Unlike Apple (While one of the wealthiest companies in the world), Samsung is a bigger company making all sets of products. I have a Samsung Microwave, and Dishwasher, I'll probably be upgrading my Stove and Refrigerator to a Samsung, just so the Kitchen looks uniform. (I do have LG Washer and Dryers, but they are in a different room, but Samsung makes those too), Samsung TVs.... Really Samsung is the new Sony.
  
  --
  If something is so important that you feel the need to post it on the internet... It probably isn't that important.
13. Re:Wow by Anonymous Coward · 2019-02-21 04:28 · Score: 0
  
  Chinese manufacturers are gonna copy the shit outta the Galaxy Fold. They are all working on folding phones.
  The Fold is true innovation, if you only just consider the workable folding screen. This alone makes the phone amazing.
  Though, usability is for the future to figure out.
14. Re:Wow by Anonymous Coward · 2019-02-21 09:00 · Score: 0
  
  At that price, they won't have to sell many. They don't expect to sell many - only to rich people who wants to stand out.
  If the folding tech becomes cheaper, then we'll get consumer versions. This is the 'early adopter' version.
Seems really interesting by SuperKendall · 2019-02-20 07:42 · Score: 1

I've been looking forward to something like this for a while, will be interesting to see how well that works in person.
Seems like it will be a kind of heavy device though with batteries on each side...

--
"There is more worth loving than we have strength to love." - Brian Jay Stanley
1. Re:Seems really interesting by 110010001000 · 2019-02-20 07:44 · Score: 1
  
  I'll let you know. I just pre-ordered one.
2. Re:Seems really interesting by Anonymous Coward · 2019-02-20 07:50 · Score: -1
  
  Let us know how many weeks you go before you "need" new shiny whizbang gimmick again. I'm thinking 3-5. #Foldable feckless addicts
3. Re:Seems really interesting by ranton · 2019-02-20 07:58 · Score: 1
  
  I won't be preordering a phone that expensive without seeing it in person, but I'm also intrigued. I think it will be too small as a phone and too small as a tablet, but I'm open to be proven wrong. I would have to be awfully convinced that the hinge is going to hold up to constant use for two years. As soon as that hinge gets even the tiniest bit wobbly it will probably be a very poor experience when unfolded.
  
  --
  -- All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing. -- Edmund Burke
4. Re:Seems really interesting by jellomizer · 2019-02-20 08:02 · Score: 2
  
  Well heavy is relative. We have been getting use to lighter and thinner phones, mostly because that is the only thing interesting most phone makers can do their phone. I was kinda surprised when I upgraded my iPhone 6 to the X. The X was actually thicker and heaver then the 6. In many ways I think we as consumers like a device with some weight to it. We instinctively feel better with a heavier product. We feel it is better built, and has more in it... While often it is just because such a device may be filled with rocks to make it heavier, or just materials that are more fragile but heavier (such as the X's glass back)
  I try to be aware of my consumer biases. But I expect it being bigger and heavier may not be a big problem.
  
  --
  If something is so important that you feel the need to post it on the internet... It probably isn't that important.
5. Re:Seems really interesting by SuperKendall · 2019-02-20 08:19 · Score: 1
  
  I don't think it'll be a problem exactly, I was thinking maybe the weight would be about the same as an iPhone Plus.
  Will also be interesting to see how apps cope with this very different kind of screen with a strange aspect ratio. Maybe they've made it easy to run side by side apps.
  
  --
  "There is more worth loving than we have strength to love." - Brian Jay Stanley
6. Re:Seems really interesting by 110010001000 · 2019-02-20 08:22 · Score: 2
  
  I am thinking more like 16-24 weeks.
7. Re:Seems really interesting by SuperKendall · 2019-02-20 09:16 · Score: 1
  
  Good luck, hope they turn out well! Will look for video reviews as well, I couldn't really find anything showing it in action since it's so new...
  
  --
  "There is more worth loving than we have strength to love." - Brian Jay Stanley
Boring nothing-fangirl Kendall breathless again? by Anonymous Coward · 2019-02-20 07:46 · Score: -1

"OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG SHINY!" - Kendall you're the world's most boring faggot, bar none.
Flip phones are back! by sinij · 2019-02-20 07:46 · Score: 1

Hooray! Finally screen large enough to be useful but not large enough that it couldn't be folded and easily carried around.
$2000? by Zorro · 2019-02-20 07:54 · Score: 1

Uh NO!
THERE ARE THREE SCREENS! by Thud457 · 2019-02-20 07:55 · Score: 1, Insightful

I don't care how razor-thin the hinge is, that's two screens there, mate. + the other one.

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the preceding comment is my own and in no way reflects the opinion of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
Wow by ledow · 2019-02-20 08:04 · Score: 2, Insightful

It's like someone said "Please list everything you would never want in a phone" and then priced it at "Please tell me what you would never pay for it".
Batteries on both sides? by Anonymous Coward · 2019-02-20 08:07 · Score: 0

So it can be twice as explosive!

*ducks*
1. Re:Batteries on both sides? by DontBeAMoran · 2019-02-20 08:58 · Score: 1
  
  ***BOOM!***
  It's a good thing you ducked!
  
  --
  #DeleteFacebook
another blow for graphene by Anonymous Coward · 2019-02-20 08:15 · Score: 0

Samsung is the world's leader when it comes to graphene patents and commercial research and foldable screens was considered a killer app for graphene to make it's big splash. Given how advanced Samsung is when it comes to graphene research and they didn't go this route (this phone is OLED) shows that there's no future for graphene or other electronic materials in this application.
You seem to be the world's most boring faggot. by Anonymous Coward · 2019-02-20 08:34 · Score: 0

Nobody asked for the breathless yet boring fangirl faggot perspective, sorry. You have no idea what interesting means. Your life is both pointless and worthless.
1. Re:You seem to be the world's most boring faggot. by mobby_6kl · 2019-02-20 11:03 · Score: 1
  
  Nobody asked for the breathless yet boring fangirl faggot perspective, sorry. You have no idea what interesting means. Your life is both pointless and worthless.
  Unlike you, anonymous troll, whose life is so exiting that you prefer to spend it insulting strangers on the internet.
No, Flip phones were small and lightweight by ffkom · 2019-02-20 09:42 · Score: 1

... while this abomination is a way too large and too heavy phablet that you can unfold into a tablet.

Wake me when there are actually small devices that unfold into a normal size smartphone.
1. Re:No, Flip phones were small and lightweight by HiThere · 2019-02-20 11:32 · Score: 1
  
  For me the normal size smartphone is both too small and too large. It's too large to fit conveniently in a pants pocket (though close) and it's too small to do much with. The question is, is this (unfolded) screen large enough. The first consensus seems to be "No, it's too small. Also too expensive."
  For me it might be "slightly usable when unfolded, but by no means comfortable", but I'm a person who finds a full size keyboard slightly too small.
  
  --
  
  I think we've pushed this "anyone can grow up to be president" thing too far.
2. Re:No, Flip phones were small and lightweight by Cederic · 2019-02-20 23:17 · Score: 1
  
  I haven't seen dimensions yet, but just folding along the long edge has probably killed any chance it'll fit into a pocket.
  That's all I actually need; a phone that'll fit into a pocket.
Temptation by Anonymous Coward · 2019-02-20 10:11 · Score: 0

This is the first phone that ever tempted me to buy into Android.
Crud / sand in the hinge? by ClarkMills · 2019-02-20 10:22 · Score: 1

Nice implementation in theory, moving parts are always a problem and dust / crud / moisture will collect in there... maybe it has a full tough gel skin that I can't see, that would allay my fears of infiltration...
1. Re:Crud / sand in the hinge? by Anonymous Coward · 2019-02-22 01:32 · Score: 0
  
  Took my phone to the beach the other day. Got all dirty in that fine dusty sand. Rinced in the bathroom sink, and all good as new. I doubt this fordable thing would've fared as well (don't see how sand would not have gotten into those gears)
Think it would be great for reading by SuperKendall · 2019-02-20 10:52 · Score: 1

That's large enough I think it would be really nice for reading, and certainly a lot easier to carry around than a small tablet.
I could also see it being more useful for things like video/photo editing, especially if software was optimized to take advantage of both sides.

--
"There is more worth loving than we have strength to love." - Brian Jay Stanley
Two THOUSAND bucks by p51d007 · 2019-02-20 13:31 · Score: 1

LOL, other than uber geeks, the hollyweird types, what nut in their right mind will spend THAT for a gimmick?
Ummm NO by JustAnotherOldGuy · 2019-02-20 14:05 · Score: 2

Yeah, sorry but no way I'm gonna spend almost $2000 on a phone.
If you want to drop that much on a phone, be my guest, but at that price the whole idea is a total no-go for me.

--
Just cruising through this digital world at 33 1/3 rpm...
So many comments... So little perspective. by NoobyNoobyDoo · 2019-02-20 15:35 · Score: 1

On a technology side, we should be celebrating Samsung trying to innovate.
With all new technological implementations the initial price is high. We've known this forever. Why be surprised and so hateful? Criticism is one thing, but the amount of disdain here has crossed the line from constructive criticism to ... Something approaching hate. And not just hate for Samsung or the product, but hate or disgust or disdain for those willing and able to take a chance on such 1st generation of a consumer technology.
Talk about first world problems. Oh no! They didn't make exactly what I wanted! How dare anyone find it appealing!
Get over yourselves. Be glad that someone is trying to innovate in a new direction. That they are willing to take risks. Not just with a new technology and new solutions, but with something they know will be out of reach of the majority of consumers.
1. Re:So many comments... So little perspective. by Anonymous Coward · 2019-02-20 23:58 · Score: 0
  
  Yay for innovation. I just don't care that they are putting their efforts into building what is essentially just another expensive toy that will be outdated in a year.
  Talk about a lack of perspective. There is a lot to life besides these technotrinkets.
Meanwhile, in the iPhone camp by Anonymous Coward · 2019-02-20 23:16 · Score: 0

Reaction 1. "Fuck! Will I finally have to switch to Android?!! I hate Samsung for doing this to me."
Reaction 2. "I'll just wait until Apple comes up with something similar and then claim that to be the best thing since ... like forever! I'll also pay obscene amount of money and justify it. Until then, I'll damn Samsung for the phone being too big, too shitty, too pricey ..."
Reaction 3. "Meh!" (secretly watches all youtube videos of Galaxy Fold)
Let the early adopter testing begin by Applehu+Akbar · 2019-02-21 01:33 · Score: 1

The foldability is the one interesting thing about this product. It will sell just because of this feature, meaning that we will quickly find out how durable this screen is in the field.
I'm confused by Cro+Magnon · 2019-02-21 04:02 · Score: 1

When Apple had an iPad that folded, people complained. Now that Samsung is doing it, people are cheering.

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Slow down, cowboy! It has been 4 hours since you last posted. You must wait another few hours.
1. Re:I'm confused by Anonymous Coward · 2019-02-21 04:34 · Score: 0
  
  This is a continuous screen surface so the unfolded screen has no line in the middle. It would not look any different then a regular iPad, so that could be a great use case.
  When Apple makes their folding screen iPhone, it will sell at whatever high high price.
  The main reason for the expensive iPhones not selling well is the price-to-perceived-return, whether it be for features or for status. End users don't see the feature bumps and the new iPhones are enough like the old iPhones, they don't see the Status bump as worthwhile.
  A folding iPhone has STATUS written all over it, and that alone has sold plenty of iPhones.