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I used my first folding phone, and here's how it went
It's been years, but now that I have one, I have some thoughts on expectations versus reality
Early adopters of technology are only as active as their budget allows. Given that new and innovative devices are generally quite expensive at the onset, trying out new tech without the proper funds can often be futile. This was my experience with foldable phones. While I’ve been champing at the bit to get my hands on one of these malleable devices since the first Samsung Galaxy Fold hit the shelves in 2019, the price tags were consistently in the four-digit range — far too expensive to justify for an average smartphone upgrade.
Google's foldable prototype 'Jumbojack' listed for sale online
This Samsung-Google Frankenfold was never meant to see the light of day
When it comes to new technological philosophies, such as foldable smartphones, it’s integral to create a proof of concept device to not only pin down easy-to-spot bugs and fixes, but to show to potential partners in the industry. After all, there’s no sense in manufacturing millions of units before creating one — or multiple — prototypes. Once said devices are ready for sale, though, prototypes become nothing more than an expensive piece of history to show the path taken towards the end result. Sometimes, those prototypes end up in the wrong (or, depending on your perspective, the right) person’s hands and end up for sale online. That’s exactly what just happened with “Jumbojack,” the prototype that Google created to test its foldable technology.
OnePlus Open survives this backwards bend in JRE's latest durability test
The OnePlus Open isn't just the company's best 2023 phone — it's also the most durable
One of the biggest factors slowing down the mainstream adoption of foldables is durability — users don’t know how well these devices will age against day-to-day usage as compared to something like a regular smartphone. If you were in the market for the new OnePlus Open but were concerned about its long-term durability, we have good news for you.
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When I started reviewing smartphones, there was always something new happening. There were physical keyboards, tablet docks, sliders, flippers, and every hinge conformation you could imagine. Then, everyone settled on the flat glass slab, because let's face it, most of those ideas were terrible. You know what's not terrible? Foldables. I know, I was surprised, too.