Until they figure out a way to bring down the price some and these companies stand by their warranties, I think it will continue to slow. Random failures are known to happen with folds and that’s fine because of the type of tech it is but when you have the companies acting like random failures aren’t a thing and blaming it on the customer, that isn’t fine. If you’re going to sell folds, you have to accept that there will be a certain percentage you have to replace. If you can’t do that then you shouldn’t be selling them. Samsung is known to do it and recently with the new pixel fold I’ve seen a good number of people get their warranties denied even with no physical damage to the phone at all.
I think the main issue is one that's structural. The vast majority of smartphone buyers 90% maybe 95% or higher are not tech enthusiasts. Folding phones are for the tech enthusiast. By definition, they're going to be a niche product, and sell in niche numbers.
Can't wait to see the One Plus Open 2. I've been very tempted by these current Black Friday sales, but the upgrades on One Plus Open 2 just seem too good to not wait for them. Thanks for your always thorough research man. Concerning the idea of fewer releases, I wholeheartedly agree! I think even the slabs could use to just do an every other year release and be just fine. I worry a bit about the impact this industry has upon the world: e-waste, dwindling resources, quality control, security, etc. I wish cell phone companies would focus on releasing products that have 1) Cost-efficient/resource-conscience hardware that's durable. Phones/tablets/laptops don't have to be titanium or even aluminum. I've had some great poly-carbonate devices through the years that have been very durable. 2) Long-term software support. What Google is doing with 7 years of guaranteed updates is awesome. However, that takes a value within the company to put software first. 3) Dedication to Security. I'm not committed to an off-the-grid conspiracy theorist worldview, but I would like to not have to worry about my banking information and other personal data leaking.
5:18 I can see your point as a valid point, too many people are fishing in a small pond, that's an excellent analogy. Phone makers got to find a way around that problem because there is a lot of customers who prefer budget friendly phones. 7:02 Phone makers need to work on the cost of their foldable phones because the poorer class customers are not willing to pay so much for expensive devices. 😎💯💪🏾👍🏾
I buy every 2 years. I went from Samsung ultra 20 to the pixel 9 fold. Tmobile offered $800 off with trade in. I would never have paid full price for the fold. Great Chanel!
The price point needs to be brought down. $1500 with $100 trade in credit of any phone in any condition would be the right price point for me. $1900 is too high. Also companies need to market the warranties on these. If customers know they can get a replacement if the screen malfunctions I think they'd be more likely to adopt the technology.
I am definitely interested in having more screen real estate on a phone, but until durability is improved and prices come down a lot I don't see folding phones as a real option.
I work in construction and places with a lot of dust and I have never had a problem. I don't baby my device although i do clean it often. ive had the Fold 3 for 2 years and the OPO for a while.
I started watching your channel when you started your coverage on the Microsoft Surface Duo. I thought this was the perfect solution for those who needed to multi-task. My plan was to purchase one when I paid off my current slab phone. I keep watching your reviews and was concerned with the issues you were experiencing and the slow updates. The issue for me with foldable phones has been the cost and my concerns with the durability of these thin screens. That has been what has kept me from buying g one.
As a very very happy OnePlus open user. I think the main concern is if the phone breaks and it's a warranty issue are these companies going to honour the promise they sell you to fix the thing without trying to charge you for it. Through a bitter personal experience I now have 3rd party insurance but I shouldn't really be paying for this as it's supposed to be already covered. Great vid and you could be onto something with the every other year theory 👍
Well I have the Z Fold 3 for almost 4 years and last year at launch got my 2nd foldable Pixel Fold only 900.00 no trade great deal love it. I never upgraded every year so long as my phone runs great getting updates that's all you need.
Cost is a huge issue with foldables. Also people are pretty set on what they use nowadays, adding a foldable doesn't really solve a problem their current phone doesn't solve, plus again the added cost. I'm def the exception- as a dual phone owner, for Android I won't go back to a slab at this point.
I kept my Galaxy S9 for 6 years, and I just upgraded to a Pixel 8 pro which has 6 years support - so I am planning to keep that for another 6 years as well. Why would you need a new phone every 3 years?
The growth of foldables is similar to the EV market. Among enthusiasts, the market is saturated. While I think price, fragility and poor support are all areas that could drum up a little more interest - i think the biggest barrier is that the mainstream just don't need a foldable phone.
What would be the best fold that you would pick currently? The pixel 9 pro fold and Samsung fold 6 both have 7 years of updates and they can interest aolt of people
I don't think foldables will see mass adoption until the price is comparable to flagships (or until Apple releases one). The odd thing about current foldables is that the extra $500+ that you pay over a flagship actually gives you a clunkier experience in key use cases. Looking at the Z Fold 6, the cover display is worse than the less expensive S24 but the interior display isn't better than the S24 either for general usability. Even if we had foldables with equivalent cover displays that were just as thin as flagships, paying more is still a tough sell for a mini tablet experience that's worse and more expensive than what you could get from a separate tablet. A big part of the problem is that a tablet in your pocket just isn't that important to the majority of people since tablets are most often used at home. A $1000 phone and a $500 tablet is a much easier sell than a $1500 foldable that you have to be extra careful with. I think most foldable owners already have several phones and tablets and they just like tech but that niche market is saturated.
Hey Shane! I agree that we've hit a saturation point with the current prices, and cheaper options are key to wider adoption. I think many are still worried about the longevity of the devices too. There are too many horror stories on reddit with screen issues. Regardless, I am pumped for the next OnePlus foldable! 😎
i love larger screeb and compact via folding. but im a trucker who dropped my s21 alot. i was concerned about durability of fold phones. so recently purchased galaxy book4 pro 360. i am pretty stoked for that laptop. long battery life very compact. dirable in the smatree case. so i can functionaluty of large screen on the go with that. even more so though it actually competes with my nitro 5 laptop which isnt good for traveling with it due to not compact and short battery life and not durable internal components get get worn down fasr if travel with it.
I got rid of the Internet, phone line, sky TV. And TV it's self, My Microsoft duo 2 dose everything I need to do, From paying bills online or in stores, phone email tx music games you tube, A 3 screen phone is, would be the ultimate phone for me, It's the future I say.
I think your skip a year is sound. But i also think other factors would hlep growth What are the highest selling phone? Iphone and midrange samsung. Iphone needs to push it to the isheep and a mid range lower priced foldable.
I have the find n3/OnePlus open, and as good as the oneplus open 2 sounds i dont think I'll be upgrading as the jump is just not good enough for another £1800 even though it's been 2 years. However if Samsung release a triple folding phone with a normal aspect front screen and battery/camera improvements that should be made to keep in line with the OnePlus open 2, I'll buy it asap. However knowing Samsung they won't, they will gimp the battery and cameras and have a thin front screen again then complain and sound confused when it fails.
I keep waiting for foldable tablets. Get rid of the phone hardware and reduce the features and sell foldables as media consumption devices. You could also use a little larger form factor which helps lower the cost as you don't have to work as hard to package things.
Samsung could have made the Z Folds a staple by not delaying and gatekeeping, now they are two years backward. I know many people who are waiting to ditch their S for the fold if it comes with a proper outer display aspect ratio and an inbuilt spen for both cover and inner displays..
Once you get in on one of these higher end phones, you just trade up every year by leveraging trade in values at launch time. Samsung is brilliant at this which is why I always hate the latest phone every year for a few hundred dollars.
Folding phones have a lot of room to improve. I feel we are in the infancy of folding devices with more to come. Let’s see what the landscape looks like around 2030.
Simple fact is that normal smartphones came down a ton in price over the years to be competitive. Foldable haven't budged much and companies need to bring the prices down. They are literally just two phones slapped together with a small metal hinge and a foldable piece of plastic screen. How are they still charging 2k for this tech? Is not new. They neee to start making budget ones. You can get a great budget 300$ phone, where are the "budget" 1k$ foldable that are trying to fight for people's attention? A 700$ foldable?? They are smoking Crack if they think the entire market wants to spend 3k$ on the thinnest 3 screen made by humans. Make competitive cheaper foldable with good specs and I will upgrade from my z fold 3. The fold 5 is too small and basically has nothing new worth an upgrade for me.
folding phones are more expensive and more fragile then slap phones. Folding phones are expensive devices that also require an expensive insurance plan.
Seriously friend foldable phones are dead, the main thing that should be in a phone is a display connection via USB C + virtual reality glasses. Now the glasses cost 400 bucks and in front of you is a 60 inch TV. The reality is that Microsoft is the only company capable of connecting a phone and a PC, it failed, now Apple will take their place along with virtual reality glasses. Why buy a foldable phone for 1000 dollars when you can buy a phone for 500 and glasses for 400 and you will be one step into the future!
@@shanecraigtech yep. Sorry, didn't get that far into the video this time as the conclusion seemed self-evident and the build-up felt padded. Pretty sure I typed that comment unconsciously as I was clicking away lol...
![Seungmin "그렇게, 천천히, 우리(As we are)" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/kAzmhLHePqU/mqdefault.jpg)
Until they figure out a way to bring down the price some and these companies stand by their warranties, I think it will continue to slow. Random failures are known to happen with folds and that’s fine because of the type of tech it is but when you have the companies acting like random failures aren’t a thing and blaming it on the customer, that isn’t fine. If you’re going to sell folds, you have to accept that there will be a certain percentage you have to replace. If you can’t do that then you shouldn’t be selling them. Samsung is known to do it and recently with the new pixel fold I’ve seen a good number of people get their warranties denied even with no physical damage to the phone at all.
I think the main issue is one that's structural. The vast majority of smartphone buyers 90% maybe 95% or higher are not tech enthusiasts. Folding phones are for the tech enthusiast. By definition, they're going to be a niche product, and sell in niche numbers.
Can't wait to see the One Plus Open 2. I've been very tempted by these current Black Friday sales, but the upgrades on One Plus Open 2 just seem too good to not wait for them. Thanks for your always thorough research man.
Concerning the idea of fewer releases, I wholeheartedly agree! I think even the slabs could use to just do an every other year release and be just fine. I worry a bit about the impact this industry has upon the world: e-waste, dwindling resources, quality control, security, etc. I wish cell phone companies would focus on releasing products that have 1) Cost-efficient/resource-conscience hardware that's durable. Phones/tablets/laptops don't have to be titanium or even aluminum. I've had some great poly-carbonate devices through the years that have been very durable. 2) Long-term software support. What Google is doing with 7 years of guaranteed updates is awesome. However, that takes a value within the company to put software first. 3) Dedication to Security. I'm not committed to an off-the-grid conspiracy theorist worldview, but I would like to not have to worry about my banking information and other personal data leaking.
5:18 I can see your point as a valid point, too many people are fishing in a small pond, that's an excellent analogy. Phone makers got to find a way around that problem because there is a lot of customers who prefer budget friendly phones. 7:02 Phone makers need to work on the cost of their foldable phones because the poorer class customers are not willing to pay so much for expensive devices. 😎💯💪🏾👍🏾
I buy every 2 years. I went from Samsung ultra 20 to the pixel 9 fold. Tmobile offered $800 off with trade in. I would never have paid full price for the fold. Great Chanel!
The price point needs to be brought down. $1500 with $100 trade in credit of any phone in any condition would be the right price point for me. $1900 is too high.
Also companies need to market the warranties on these. If customers know they can get a replacement if the screen malfunctions I think they'd be more likely to adopt the technology.
I am definitely interested in having more screen real estate on a phone, but until durability is improved and prices come down a lot I don't see folding phones as a real option.
I work in construction and places with a lot of dust and I have never had a problem. I don't baby my device although i do clean it often. ive had the Fold 3 for 2 years and the OPO for a while.
I started watching your channel when you started your coverage on the Microsoft Surface Duo. I thought this was the perfect solution for those who needed to multi-task. My plan was to purchase one when I paid off my current slab phone. I keep watching your reviews and was concerned with the issues you were experiencing and the slow updates. The issue for me with foldable phones has been the cost and my concerns with the durability of these thin screens. That has been what has kept me from buying g one.
Strategy should be no more compromises to go with foldable than a slab phone. Ultra cameras and ultra specs being available
As a very very happy OnePlus open user. I think the main concern is if the phone breaks and it's a warranty issue are these companies going to honour the promise they sell you to fix the thing without trying to charge you for it. Through a bitter personal experience I now have 3rd party insurance but I shouldn't really be paying for this as it's supposed to be already covered. Great vid and you could be onto something with the every other year theory 👍
It’s the damn PRICE
Well I have the Z Fold 3 for almost 4 years and last year at launch got my 2nd foldable Pixel Fold only 900.00 no trade great deal love it. I never upgraded every year so long as my phone runs great getting updates that's all you need.
Got a 512gb z fold 6 at 43% off with the black friday sale, poggers.
Get rid of the crease on the plastic screen that's easily scratched. That's the main problem for me 😅
Cost is a huge issue with foldables. Also people are pretty set on what they use nowadays, adding a foldable doesn't really solve a problem their current phone doesn't solve, plus again the added cost. I'm def the exception- as a dual phone owner, for Android I won't go back to a slab at this point.
Smart talk my friend. They should be hiring you for there market research. My best tech guy. I love the fold 6. But will be getting the 7
I kept my Galaxy S9 for 6 years, and I just upgraded to a Pixel 8 pro which has 6 years support - so I am planning to keep that for another 6 years as well. Why would you need a new phone every 3 years?
The growth of foldables is similar to the EV market. Among enthusiasts, the market is saturated. While I think price, fragility and poor support are all areas that could drum up a little more interest - i think the biggest barrier is that the mainstream just don't need a foldable phone.
What would be the best fold that you would pick currently? The pixel 9 pro fold and Samsung fold 6 both have 7 years of updates and they can interest aolt of people
I don't think foldables will see mass adoption until the price is comparable to flagships (or until Apple releases one). The odd thing about current foldables is that the extra $500+ that you pay over a flagship actually gives you a clunkier experience in key use cases. Looking at the Z Fold 6, the cover display is worse than the less expensive S24 but the interior display isn't better than the S24 either for general usability. Even if we had foldables with equivalent cover displays that were just as thin as flagships, paying more is still a tough sell for a mini tablet experience that's worse and more expensive than what you could get from a separate tablet. A big part of the problem is that a tablet in your pocket just isn't that important to the majority of people since tablets are most often used at home. A $1000 phone and a $500 tablet is a much easier sell than a $1500 foldable that you have to be extra careful with. I think most foldable owners already have several phones and tablets and they just like tech but that niche market is saturated.
Hey Shane! I agree that we've hit a saturation point with the current prices, and cheaper options are key to wider adoption. I think many are still worried about the longevity of the devices too. There are too many horror stories on reddit with screen issues. Regardless, I am pumped for the next OnePlus foldable! 😎
It's still too risky and the companies don't want to fix broken screens.
Price and repairability are the main things they need to figure out
i love larger screeb and compact via folding. but im a trucker who dropped my s21 alot. i was concerned about durability of fold phones. so recently purchased galaxy book4 pro 360. i am pretty stoked for that laptop. long battery life very compact. dirable in the smatree case. so i can functionaluty of large screen on the go with that. even more so though it actually competes with my nitro 5 laptop which isnt good for traveling with it due to not compact and short battery life and not durable internal components get get worn down fasr if travel with it.
Well said. Apple did it best with the tik-tak strategy. Iphone 6, then 6s. Only where after comes 7. Good video.
I got rid of the Internet, phone line, sky TV. And TV it's self, My Microsoft duo 2 dose everything I need to do, From paying bills online or in stores, phone email tx music games you tube, A 3 screen phone is, would be the ultimate phone for me, It's the future I say.
I think your skip a year is sound. But i also think other factors would hlep growth
What are the highest selling phone? Iphone and midrange samsung.
Iphone needs to push it to the isheep and a mid range lower priced foldable.
I have the find n3/OnePlus open, and as good as the oneplus open 2 sounds i dont think I'll be upgrading as the jump is just not good enough for another £1800 even though it's been 2 years. However if Samsung release a triple folding phone with a normal aspect front screen and battery/camera improvements that should be made to keep in line with the OnePlus open 2, I'll buy it asap. However knowing Samsung they won't, they will gimp the battery and cameras and have a thin front screen again then complain and sound confused when it fails.
I keep waiting for foldable tablets. Get rid of the phone hardware and reduce the features and sell foldables as media consumption devices. You could also use a little larger form factor which helps lower the cost as you don't have to work as hard to package things.
Samsung could have made the Z Folds a staple by not delaying and gatekeeping, now they are two years backward. I know many people who are waiting to ditch their S for the fold if it comes with a proper outer display aspect ratio and an inbuilt spen for both cover and inner displays..
Most China foldables aren't in America sold and not bringing them soon except One Plus. The more in the market the prices fall.
Once you get in on one of these higher end phones, you just trade up every year by leveraging trade in values at launch time. Samsung is brilliant at this which is why I always hate the latest phone every year for a few hundred dollars.
A pretty small portion of people buy unlocked phones like this. Most people are buying through their carrier.
I'm watching on my honor magic V3
Folding phones have a lot of room to improve. I feel we are in the infancy of folding devices with more to come. Let’s see what the landscape looks like around 2030.
So maybe start treating Foldables like consoles? Maybe not as long as a release cycle but definitely something that needs churning out every year.
Simple fact is that normal smartphones came down a ton in price over the years to be competitive. Foldable haven't budged much and companies need to bring the prices down. They are literally just two phones slapped together with a small metal hinge and a foldable piece of plastic screen. How are they still charging 2k for this tech? Is not new. They neee to start making budget ones. You can get a great budget 300$ phone, where are the "budget" 1k$ foldable that are trying to fight for people's attention? A 700$ foldable?? They are smoking Crack if they think the entire market wants to spend 3k$ on the thinnest 3 screen made by humans. Make competitive cheaper foldable with good specs and I will upgrade from my z fold 3. The fold 5 is too small and basically has nothing new worth an upgrade for me.
folding phones are more expensive and more fragile then slap phones. Folding phones are expensive devices that also require an expensive insurance plan.
Seriously friend foldable phones are dead, the main thing that should be in a phone is a display connection via USB C + virtual reality glasses. Now the glasses cost 400 bucks and in front of you is a 60 inch TV. The reality is that Microsoft is the only company capable of connecting a phone and a PC, it failed, now Apple will take their place along with virtual reality glasses. Why buy a foldable phone for 1000 dollars when you can buy a phone for 500 and glasses for 400 and you will be one step into the future!
Could not disagree more lol
Folding phone growth slows... Are you expecting a new phone every week? Stupidity
It really seems like you either didn't watch the video or somehow totally missed the point. What's that saying about people in glass houses?
He’s talking about foldable sales. Not sure what you are talking about.
I'd like cheaper flip phones because for me, the use case of a flip phone is it's pocketability, not it's """"flagship specs"""".
Almost like the market is saturated or something... 🫠
3:26
@@shanecraigtech yep. Sorry, didn't get that far into the video this time as the conclusion seemed self-evident and the build-up felt padded. Pretty sure I typed that comment unconsciously as I was clicking away lol...