Should You Buy A Foldable Phone?

Foldable smartphones have improved a lot in 2023, but you still need to think carefully before buying one.

Foldable phones have been available for nearly five years, with the first models from Samsung and Huawei arriving in 2019. Their high prices, limited software functionality, and battery life, and fragile design initially made them difficult to recommend.

A lot has changed over the past four years, and 2023 has proven to be a very promising year for folding smartphones. Not only are there more options, but cheaper devices like the Motorola Razr 40 have entered the fray. Although improvements are still expected in the software experience, companies like Samsung, Google, and Motorola have made progress in 2023.

The larger exterior screens of Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip 5 and Motorola’s Razr 40 Ultra, for example, allow you to actually use applications without opening your smartphone, even if this has an impact on battery life. The Google Pixel Fold has a new translation feature that leverages both the external and internal screen.

More foldable smartphones have been launched this year than ever before, with new hinged devices from Samsung, Motorola, OnePlus, Google, and Oppo hitting the market. Sales of foldable phones should also increase. The International Data Corporation reports an increase of 43.9% compared to 2022, and Counterpoint Research cites a jump of 10% just for the second quarter of 2023.

If you’re considering purchasing a foldable smartphone, consider your budget and what you plan to use it for, among other factors.

What Is The Price, And What Is Your Budget?

The most important question is how much you are willing to spend on a new phone. Even though foldable smartphones are no longer as expensive as they were in 2019, they are still significantly more costly than most traditional smartphones. For example, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Google Pixel Fold were priced at 1,73,000.31 Indian Rupee upon release. In comparison, the Galaxy Z Flip 5 and Motorola Razr 40 Ultra cost over 91,087.94 Indian Rupee. Motorola’s Razr 40 is the cheapest of the lot (81,899.80 Indian Rupee), but you have to give up the larger external screen in return.

Book-sized foldable smartphones such as the Galaxy Z Fold 5, OnePlus Open (1,68,427.74 Indian Rupee), and Pixel Fold are among the most expensive smartphones you can buy. The clamshell models sell for about the same price as high-end non-foldable smartphones like the iPhone 15 Pro and Pixel 8 Pro, which both start at around 82,987.85 Indian Rupee. If you’re used to budgeting for a device in this price range, splurging on a flip phone will feel similar.

Remember to keep an eye out for discounts and trade-in offers to make these prices more affordable. Also, please take into account the rapid evolution of prices, which start to fall a few weeks after their releases. It may also be interesting to bet on the previous generation, as with the Fold4 and Flip4.

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Is A laptop With A Foldable Screen More Fragile?

Although today’s foldable smartphones are more sturdy than previous models, the simple fact that they have hinges and foldable screens still makes them more fragile than traditional smartphones. Shortly after Google launched the Pixel Fold in June, for example, some users on Reddit reported broken screens. Most foldable phones are not dust-resistant due to their hinge and have a lower water resistance rating than regular smartphones like the Pixel 8 and Galaxy S23 line.

If you work outdoors, tend to drop or handle your phone roughly, or prefer not to use a case, you’ll need to be careful when switching to a foldable smartphone. It’s also a good idea to familiarize yourself with the repair options offered by the device manufacturer and third-party services.

Is Now A Good Time To Buy A Foldable Smartphone?

Like many electronic devices, foldable smartphones are often released on a seasonal basis. You need to take this into account to avoid spending 82,987.85 Indian Rupee or more on a phone that might soon seem outdated. While it’s sometimes possible to find great discounts on older models, it’s best to go with the latest version if you can.

Typically, smartphones only get a few years of Android updates. For example, the Galaxy Z Flip 5 and Z Fold 5 will be entitled to four generations of operating system updates, while the Pixel Fold and Razr 40 Ultra will only benefit from three years. By purchasing the most recent model, you ensure that your smartphone will continue to receive software updates for as long as possible.

Samsung usually releases its new foldable smartphones around August, although it introduced the Galaxy Z Flip 5 and Z Fold 5 a little earlier than usual this year (in July). If Google releases new Pixel Folds following an annual pattern, we can expect the second generation model to launch in June. Motorola has yet to follow a yearly cycle with its Razr smartphones, but the Razr 40 and 40 Ultra also arrived in June. The OnePlus Open, the brand’s first foldable smartphone, was launched in October.

The Black Friday weekend and the holiday or sales period are also the ideal time to find deals on foldable smartphones, especially since the new models of the year have already been launched.

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