A Foldable Phone Is Less Fragile Than You Think

Foldable phones: More durable than you think?

Many fear foldable phones are fragile. Early models were, but that's no longer the whole story. Foldable technology has matured significantly.

Foldables Aren't Experimental Anymore

My experience with the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 (Samsung's fifth generation) and now the Z Fold 6 demonstrates this. Five years of development have yielded a mature product, not an early adopter's gamble. The Z Fold 6, in particular, feels robust and refined. The evolution from the original Galaxy Fold to the Z Fold 6 mirrors the jump from the first iPhone to the iPhone 5 – a significant leap in reliability and user experience.

Scratch Resistance: No More, No Less

I intentionally used my Z Fold 5 without a case for a while. While the outer screen did scratch (similar to my previous Moto Edge 2023), the inner screen remained pristine despite several drops. The scratches on the outer screen were barely noticeable with the screen on. This experience continued with my Z Fold 6 (purchased used). The phone's condition was "fair" due to cosmetic wear, not structural fragility.

Redundancy: A Key Advantage

A foldable's key strength is its dual screens. Even with a damaged outer screen, the inner screen remains fully functional. I primarily use the inner screen, so even with outer screen damage, daily usability wasn't impacted. Even if the inner screen breaks, the outer screen provides a functional phone, allowing time for data backup before repair. The probability of complete data loss is significantly reduced compared to single-screen phones.

Even a Catastrophic Failure Isn't a Disaster

Even with both screens damaged, data recovery is possible. Samsung DeX allows access to data via an external display and peripherals. Other Android foldables (like the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold or OnePlus Open) offer screen mirroring to a computer monitor, though not as refined as DeX.

Repair Accessibility

Repair shops are increasingly equipped to handle foldable repairs, particularly for major brands like Samsung. While inner screen replacements are more expensive, the overall value and utility of a foldable justify the cost for me.

Protective Cases Are Available

A wide range of protective cases are available for foldables, offering various levels of protection, from sleek and slim to heavy-duty.

Conclusion

Foldable phones have evolved beyond their fragile beginnings. The dual-screen design offers inherent resilience, and readily available repair options and protective cases further enhance their durability. While they have more moving parts, the benefits outweigh the risks for many users, including myself. My foldable has become my primary computing device, and I use it with far more confidence than I ever expected.

The above is the detailed content of A Foldable Phone Is Less Fragile Than You Think. For more information, please follow other related articles on the PHP Chinese website!