In case the title isn’t clear, I think the Pixel 6 Pro might be the last conventional Android phone I spend money on.
Now, that’s not the case as a whole Due to the lackluster and buggy experience with the Pixel 6 Pro, but also due to several other factors, one of which (ironically) is Android does doing some things right and those things… folding phones!Just take a look at Samsung’s first attempt at a foldable device (pictured below)… the 2019 Galaxy Fold looks like a working prototype that shouldn’t see the light of day. In fact, the first Galaxy Fold had to be recalled due to hardware defects. But that’s not the point… The thing is, the first foldable phones are gone so that today’s foldables can work!
A quick scan of the market today shows that foldable phones have come a long way in a relatively short time. We’re talking leaps and bounds from the first Galaxy Fold, with hardware and software ready to take on Apple’s iPad by taking full advantage of the larger displays hidden inside foldable phones.
So, I know this may sound harsh, but if I’m going to risk it another bug experience with another android deviceIf this was the phone, I’d prefer it… “worth the rush”. But there’s a little more to it…
The Pixel 6 Pro is probably my last Android flagship (it’s not foldable); The iPhone 13 is the most reliable phone I’ve used in a while
From left to right – Galaxy Fold, Galaxy Z Fold 2, Xiaomi Mix Fold. Photo courtesy of Michael Fisher.
To be clear, I prefer the look, feel, and even functionality of (most) Android tiles compared to the iPhone, which is actually the only alternative… However, Iam A MacBook user (which isn’t the main reason I have an iPhone), but also – my recent experience with Android (on the whole) has been at least a hit or miss…
- I loved myself Huawei P30 ProI’ve been using it for about a year and a half, but I just couldn’t upgrade Huawei P40 Pro (which I really liked) because it literally couldn’t run Google apps; Not Huawei’s or Android’s fault, of course, but still a huge disappointment
- my Pixel 6 Pro, the best-looking phone I’ve ever owned, wasn’t just a reliable phone due to a series of glaring bugs that took Google nearly a year to fix; the Pixel 7 ProIt doesn’t deliver the consistency I’d expect from a $900 phone I’ve been testing for a while (although it’s more reliable than the Pixel 6).
- I already knew, but recently (re)discovered that unlike the Apple iPhone, Android flagship phones (like my Pixel 6 Pro) terribleresaleworththat’s not great for someone who likes to switch phones a bit more often than the average user
My “escape” from the faulty and unreliable Pixel 6 Pro was the iPhone 13 mini, and I haven’t looked back!
I’ve decided to keep the tiny iPhone 13 mini as my main phone (for now) because nothing else comes close in terms of form factor and performance (and a used but new-looking iPhone 13 mini only set me back €450 or the Pixel 6 Pro half of). The 13 mini has been my main phone for a while now, and it looks like I’ll be sticking with Apple when it comes to a device that I always have in my pocket and rely on to get things done…
Android phones (and iPhones) are now approaching their peak
But there’s something else that’s slowly but steadily turning me away from regular phones, and that’s that they’re now nearing their peak.
Just look at what’s coming up Galaxy S23 series – how good can a regular Android phone (or iPhone) get after this? Flip phones have stunning displays (better than your TV), exceptional camera systems for social media use, and good battery life (most phones will last you a full day).
Of course, there may be a few “finishing touches” left that could create an even more “perfect” slate phone… Under-display cameras for that “full” full-screen look; A more sophisticated camera system that feels more like a “real” camera and a two-day battery life would be appreciated, but some phones already check at least one of those boxes…
Food for thought: Because Cupertino likes to play the long game, Apple’s iPhone may have an advantage here as certain features take longer to roll out than Android. Technically, this makes it likely that the iPhone will “peak” later than its Android competition.
Foldable phones may not be “the future,” but they’re getting better; Google, Xiaomi challenge Samsung in the global market (hopefully at competitive prices too)
The Xiaomi Mix Fold 2 (which is no thicker than an iPhone with a case) won’t be sold globally, but the Mix Fold 3 will!
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – I don’t believe that foldable phones are the “future” of what we know as “phones”.. Overall, the foldable form factor seems better suited for a laptop (Google Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Fold), while the future of “phones” may very well be there. rollabledesign.
- The Galaxy Fold wasn’t waterproof, which is not the case with Samsung’s newer foldable phones (which makes it easier to recommend them)
- The 2019 Galaxy Fold was about 16mm thick when folded; the thinnest foldable phones today (Xiaomi Mix Fold 2, Huawei Mate Xs 2) are 11mm thick, or should I say… 11mm thin
- Samsung’s first foldable phone weighed 263g, almost as heavy as the iPad mini 6; the new Oppo Find N2 weighs just 233 grams, making it lighter than the iPhone 14 Pro Max and as heavy/light as the upcoming Galaxy S23 Ultra (according to the leak)
- The three-year-old Galaxy Fold came with a mediocre camera system, while newer foldable phones like the Oppo Find N2, Xiaomi Mix Fold 2, and to some extent the Galaxy Z Fold 4 are now more powerful and versatile. a set of flagship-level cameras (with larger sensors and more advanced image processing)
As you can tell by this quick “progress check”, the key to this must be the fact that Samsung finally has it some of them competition. There really are phones that look better than folding phones Galaxy Z Fold 4 there, but they are not sold globally … yet. But it won’t be like that for long!
Pixel Fold, Xiaomi Mix Fold 3, Galaxy Z Fold 5 – choosing a new foldable Android phone may be harder than ever (and that’s great news)
Again, foldable phones have come a long way! Oppo Find N2 is lighter than iPhone 14 Pro Max and much thinner than Galaxy Z Fold 3 (pictured)!
The Google Pixel Fold is expected to be launched before Galaxy Z Fold 5, the Xiaomi Mix Fold 3 is likely to be the first Xiaomi-made foldable phone to manufacture outside of China. Unfortunately, it doesn’t look great Oppo Find N2 will be sold globally, however some competition is better than none! Is that right?
So yes, having decided not to buy another conventional Android flagship phone, I can now focus on the upcoming foldable phones in 2023! I believe at least one of the foldable phones coming this year might be good enough to get my attention (and money). As mentioned, the Pixel Fold and Xiaomi Mix Fold 3 are in first place, followed by the expected Galaxy Z Fold 5.
Personally, as someone who prefers Google’s version of Android and the Pixel’s camera, I hope the Pixel Fold is as good as the leaks suggest. Speaking of leaks, they say the Pixel Fold will cost as much as the Galaxy Z Fold 4 ($1,800), but I’ll believe it when I see it. Google’s Pixel 7 flagships are noticeably cheaper than their Samsung counterparts (in all markets where they are sold), and so I expect the Pixel Fold to undercut the new Galaxy Z Fold 5. Or at least I hope so!Of course, if Google releases another problematic phone (like the Pixel 6) and decides to price the Pixel Fold as high as the Galaxy Z Fold 5, I might have to look elsewhere, and the Xiaomi Mix Fold 3 and Galaxy Z Fold are just that. it is here. There may be 5 in the picture.
Unless there’s an unusual deal, I’ll probably buy my next foldable phone on eBay, which is why I bought the Galaxy Z Fold 3 for half price (I ended up returning it). – new situation. Of course, when it comes to the average user, this is another great reason to try a foldable phone – they’re not just better, they’re also more affordable (if you shop smart).
Would you like your next Android phone to be foldable?