*** Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 5G Thread***

OK I confess I took the plunge - the £740 trade in on a note 10+ was just too good to pass up. Though I initially feared it would be a fragile thing that I'd have to handle with kid gloves, it feels remarkably solid. I'd like a case but given how the phone shifts with the folding mechanism it's hard to see how any case would provide meaningful protection without being massive and / or in about 6 parts. The samsung cases look nice but those prices are outrageous for what they are - I guess they figure if you can spend that much on the phone, you can afford it on the case too.

The main screen is just knockout (as I expected) but I've been surprised at how useable the front screen is - obviously it takes a bit of adjusting coming from a note 10+ but I've had phones with much smaller screens in the past and got along fine, plus it's nice to be able to reach each corner of the screen with one hand again. I've also realised that I MUCH prefer the fingerprint scanner on the side than an in-screen one.

I do miss the stylus though and whether it'll be as practically useful for running my business as the note remains to be seen. I suspect I'll be in the market for a cheap, older note in the near future - in the meantime though I don't think I've been as impressed with a phone since the first iphone.
 
[HB]Rugrat said:
OK I confess I took the plunge - the £740 trade in on a note 10+ was just too good to pass up. Though I initially feared it would be a fragile thing that I'd have to handle with kid gloves, it feels remarkably solid. I'd like a case but given how the phone shifts with the folding mechanism it's hard to see how any case would provide meaningful protection without being massive and / or in about 6 parts. The samsung cases look nice but those prices are outrageous for what they are - I guess they figure if you can spend that much on the phone, you can afford it on the case too.

I do miss the stylus though and whether it'll be as practically useful for running my business as the note remains to be seen. I suspect I'll be in the market for a cheap, older note in the near future - in the meantime though I don't think I've been as impressed with a phone since the first iphone.
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So Samsung honoured their pricing error for that trade in? Thought everyone had their orders cancelled.

I'm currently using an Aramind cover which only protects the back. Most cases that covers the front seem to have some adhesive to hold it in place which I don't like. I sometimes like to take the case off, so wouldn't be able to.

Had my Fold for almost 3 weeks now and it still impresses me when I open and close it like a book...what a time to be alive.
 
[HB]Rugrat said:
Yep - though I've only just sent back the note 10+ so I guess they could try and welch on the deal and contrive a reason to pay less than the agreed amount?
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There has been some horror stories, with one person sending in a phone and not meeting their criteria, was given an option to pay the outstanding amount or return the Fold 2. I think another was the IMEI number didn't match the device (Fold 1) received so they were returning it but the concerning part was Samsung was referring to the received device in a generic name and not a Fold 1, so the person was worried there was a mix up and will be sent back a totally different device.
 
I love this phone the only thing that is bugging me is the jelly wobble on the large screen when scrolling up and down with the fold running down the centre, it I turn it sideways of course it's not there
 
Yes I've got that enabled, I mean it's pretty good hardly any but I still notice it a tiny bit, but it's not enough to really annoy me though. I got the leather case today and it's made it much less slippery to which is great. I still absolute love the phone though. Amazing!
 
Yeah iv been through a few phones since my Note 4 and they all went back because it felt like they offered anything new. They became so stale and every new phone is basically the same these days. Getting the Fold 2 feels like a huge step forward since the first smartphones. Wish they would hurry up and get the cases in stock on there website so i can use the voucher i got though lol
 
So I've had the phone today, and here's my thoughts:

Pros
  • The engineering behind this thing is incredible, hats off to Samsung.
  • The mini tablet form factor is great for web browsing and the apps that take advantage of it such as Spotify are great to use
  • Usual top end specs from Samsung, but ya know for the price you would expect that

Neither pro or con
  • It's a chunky device when folded, which isn't a con because there's no way currently to crease fold UTG without cracking it (see Jerry Rig on YT where he directly bends the glass on top of itself). The hinge has to bend the screen around a wider circumference
  • It's a finger print magnet but looking good at my old Pixel 4 next to me so is that. Perhaps I notice it more due to the screen real estate
Cons
  • This new form factor can make you feel more limited with application choice(1)
  • Not an issue if you're used to Samsung but I just prefer Pixel UI, it's cleaner and more professional looking in my opinion
  • Comes with the usual Samsung camera shortfalls of smoothing out the face too much and over processing colours
  • Bloat - Yes some can be installed and disabled but others are built into the main settings. The themes section within settings loads the theme section of the Galaxy store and it's full of tacky themes. This is the same as the Galaxy Watch store where most apps (even from known brands like Uber/Komoot) have terrible ratings. It just makes the Samsung brand appear so tacky and cheap when they install this on their phones and allow every man and his dog to sell poor quality content
  • There's a few Apple inspired features that are just so bargain basement in comparison that it makes me laugh. The Bitmoji especially, I'm not that fussed as I wouldn't use them but they don't look anything like me. When Apple users send theirs as stickers though I'm usually impressed with the resemblance.
(1) The choice issue I'm referring to is having to choose between applications you prefer over the Samsung versions vs using the Samsung version because it better makes use of the screen real estate. For example, I would take Google's messaging and phone apps over Samsung's any day of the week but they don't split the conversation list on the left with the highlighted message thread's content on the right.

This got me to thinking: how many apps are going to take advantage of this form factor and not just have blow up phone UIs? Will there be many devs interested in this device because I'm guessing the price point will either stop them buying it or for it to have enough share of the market to create a bespoke layout.

The other choice issue I came across is web browsers. I'm actually impressed with Samsung's browser as shows tabs like Chrome would on desktop and the ad blocker also appears to hide elements that contain adds, so you're not left with big gaps. However, I would prefer Firefox for the addons (uBlock for custom element blocking and Privacy Badger) but also requires you to access tabs with a button. I tried Kiwi, Vivaldi, Opera and Edge but there's always an issue of lack of addons, or 1Password doesn't work with it , or tabs are hidden behind a button.

I would also prefer the Google keyboard but that doesn't have a separated left/right layout for the main screen. There's a Microsoft SwiftKey version I've yet to try, guessing that my support a split version when using the inner display.

Overall I'm happy with the device but it's a shame it comes with all of the Samsung downsides. I think the coolness factor will wear off after a while as let's face it, we've been web browsing on phones for years without an issue and it's still not big enough to really create content on. Although I will say that I can imagine watching Netflix or reading an eBook would be incredible on this thing and usually I travel a lot for work but not in this climate.
 
benparker said:
So are there any negatives to this device?
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The fear factor - maybe it will fade in time (as with most new phones) but at the moment the lack of effective case protection, lack of water proofing and the relatively fragile main screen makes me uncomfortable (I've been spoiled by the last few generations of note phones I guess).
 
I feel after 2 weeks with mine while still carefully I'm not as gentle as I was with it. It really is a strong and sturdy device. Price I wouldn't say was a negative for me as I got it for £1480 which I feel for what you get is a good price. i mean it's a high end luxury item and new technology. I don't feel I could go back to a normal form factor phone anymore after this.
 
Matson said:
I feel after 2 weeks with mine while still carefully I'm not as gentle as I was with it. It really is a strong and sturdy device. Price I wouldn't say was a negative for me as I got it for £1480 which I feel for what you get is a good price. i mean it's a high end luxury item and new technology. I don't feel I could go back to a normal form factor phone anymore after this.
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May I ask how you got it for £1480?
 
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