There is a category of the smartphone market that has broken new ground in design and which is proliferating: The foldable smartphone screen. Photo / supplied
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Yet another year goes by with dozens of new phones hitting the market but with little to distinguish them from last year’s models in terms of fundamental design.
The smartphone has long suffered format fatigue as designers squeeze all the improvements they can out of a 6 to 7-inch rectangular screen. Such is the lack of room for improvement, the mere addition of a new button on certain models of Apple’s latest iPhone 16 - to aid in taking photos - sparked interest.
But it’s easy to forget there is a category of the smartphone market that has broken new ground in design and which is proliferating: The foldable smartphone screen. Samsung led the charge in 2019, and foldables on the market in New Zealand now include the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip and Z Fold, the Motorola Razr 50 Ultra, and the Oppo Find N2 Flip and Find N3.
As you’d expect, five years of refinement has led to foldables becoming thinner, more durable and comparable in functionality to standard phones. According to IDC Research, 25 million phones with foldable screens will be sold this year, a tiny fraction of the billions of smartphones that ship each year, but up 40% on last year.
The Razr’s edge
I’ve spent a few weeks using Motorola’s Razr 50 Ultra flip phone and am finally convinced that the format is a viable alternative to a bog-standard smartphone. It takes a while to get used to after 15 years of reaching for my big rectangular phone, but it has changed how I use my phone for the better. Here are the pros and cons of the Razr 50 Ultra and opting for a phone with a flexible screen:
Pros
Compact and portable
They’re much easier to fit into a bag or pocket and can be accessorised with a case and lanyard. When closed, the Razr 50 Ultra’s dimensions are around 74m x 88m and 15.3mm thick. Weighing 189g, it has similar heft to a regular smartphone, but is easier to carry and would be ideal if you run with a phone in your pocket or in a sleeve on your arm.
The Razr 50 Ultra has an underrated aesthetic but clearly built of quality materials. It has a “vegan leather” surface on the case. The phone closes with a satisfying snap. People notice when you flip it open; it still has the novelty factor that has long since worn off, even high-end smartphones.