Samsung's Galaxy G fold feels more like a proof of concept than an actual phone — here's why
While that quote was more about bringing dinosaurs to life, it also perfectly sums up my current thoughts about Samsung's Galaxy G Fold.
Recently, it was hinted that Samsung could unveil the long-rumored Galaxy G Fold alongside the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and the Galaxy Z Flip 7 at the July 9 Galaxy Unpacked.
The phone, which would be the first tri-foldable device coming from the company, is certainly an interesting idea. However, it has also been reported that Samsung is only making a limited number as a kind of trial run.
With that in mind, I have to wonder who this phone is really for, and I have some concerns that it isn't the average customer. Honestly, it feels like the phone is more about proving a point than anything else.
Now, this may make me sound like a conspiracy theorist, but I have to wonder if all of this is an attempt by Samsung to prove that it can still innovate
The company has drawn some fire in the past for reusing a lot of hardware, instead relying on software improvements to sell new phones. Releasing a tri-foldable phone would show that Samsung is capable of new hardware, and the limited numbers would entice people to buy it.
There are also some advantages to having a bigger screen, primarily that it allows you to have much more real estate. In the case of the Galaxy G Fold, that means a rumored display of around 10 inches.
If accurate, then that's around the same size as the Huawei Mate XT, which features a 10.2-inch display. If we compare it to the Galaxy Z Fold 7, which is rumored to have an 8-inch display, then it looks pretty impressive.
The thing is that, while a bigger screen might be impressive initially, if it's lacking in function, then it's a moot point. For instance, we've heard rumors that Samsung won't be including a digitizer on the screen, meaning that the G Fold wouldn't support an S Pen. This would be an odd choice, to say the least, as that large screen would be a massive benefit to artists and writers alike.
Not only that, I have to wonder how easy such a device would be to actually use in the real world. One of the biggest issues I have with some of the best foldable phones is that opening them up can be a bit of a hassle, especially out in public.
I can only imagine this would be much worse with a triple foldable phone. Now, it is possible that you could half-fold the screen for a smaller display, but then it feels like you're not using a third of what you paid for.
In the past, I used to think of foldable phones as something of a gimmick, but after spending time with the Galaxy Z Fold 5. I'll admit that I was wrong. However, certain apps struggle to get the most out of the increased display size, and this is an issue that a tri-fold screen could only make worse.
For instance, I recently decided to test whether foldable phones offered a better streaming experience than normal phones. In concept, I imagined that the bigger screen would offer the best viewing, but I found that most apps didn't make the most of the hardware.
For instance, Disney+ tends to only use a percentage of the screen instead of the entire thing, which limits the experience of having the larger display. I have a suspicion that the same will be true of the larger G Fold as well, especially as I can't see developers rushing to adapt apps for a device with so little inventory.
There is an argument that Samsung could release specific AI tools for the G Fold in an attempt to draw in interest, but I have my doubts about this. Again, it boils down to whether the rumor about a smaller launch turns out to be true, as I can't imagine Samsung developing exclusive AI features that the majority of people would never experience.
There's another big question when it comes to the Galaxy G Fold: How much will it cost?
Let's be fair, Samsung's foldable phones are already some of the most expensive that you can currently, with the Galaxy Z Fold 6 costing $1,899 when it was released. Not only that, the Huawei Mate base model costs $2,800, and it would only be fair to assume the same will be true of Samsung (we've even seen estimates as high as $3,500)
Let's be clear. That is a cost that is far beyond what the average person would ever consider spending on a phone. You could quite easily buy one of the best phones and the best tablets for that same price. With that in mind, I ask again, who is this really for?
However, that isn't to say that this will be the last tri-fold phone we will ever see; it could be the precursor to an entirely new range of phones. Only time will tell.
Let me know what you think about the possible G Fold. Is the simple act of being able to fold three times enough to tempt you, or is it more of an easily forgotten curiosity?
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