Are foldable phones doomed, or will they shape the mobile industry’s future?
Several years have passed since the release of the first foldable phones to the market, Phones that were expected to revolutionize the mobile industry by offering new features and original ideas, and now a similar concept is like a weak virus finding new hosts to ensure its survival; But could such products really be the future of the tech industry, or are they just struggling to find their identity?
For a better understanding, let’s look at the most critical events in the world of technology in the past few decades. In the 1960s, giant computers were only available in large, air-conditioned rooms for a few researchers and technology geeks. In the late 70s and 80s, people benefited from computers in their homes due to the revolution of microcomputers, and until the 90s, people used laptops that they could carry in their bags. Now we have an advanced product in the form of a smartphone in our pocket that is thousands of times faster than early computers.
With some attention, we realize that all technological revolutions have been accompanied by solving a significant problem. For example, smartphones changed how the user interacts with the software environment and virtually defined a new type of computer. According to Dicker, unique and successful technologies are created to solve “needs,” more importantly, there must be a defined need that the technology is trying to solve!
Having understood this importance, let’s look at the purpose of folding products. Foldable phones or laptops with two screens are marketed to provide more display space in the dimensions of previous products, But is such a goal considered a market need?
If you ask us the question, our answer is yes, But with the note that folding products will not be the final solution to solve such a need! Undoubtedly, most users will need a product with a larger screen to interact with software content; Therefore, the justification for buying foldable products is to offer a larger display in the dimensions of conventional models.
However, manufacturers have not understood the importance of such a need and are moving away from addressing it. Galaxy Z Flip is an example of such a topic! What is the difference between Galaxy Z Flip or Motorola Razr 40 from conventional phones? Their only key difference is the screen folding, But what does this feature solve for the user?
It may seem strange, but Samsung considers one of the essential features of the Galaxy Z Flip to be supported on flat surfaces to take photos from a distance. If we are realistic, buying a phone just because of the mentioned feature, which can be had with a very cheap stand, looks pretty irrational.
Certainly, folding the screen by itself does not solve the problem. As a result, phones like the Galaxy Z Flip not only do not have their own identity and do not solve the problem but also do not provide a suitable solution to the primary need. Such products are only new models of smartphones for specific tastes.
A few things are different about a foldable phone like the Galaxy Z Fold or, even beyond that, the Lenovo Yoga Book 9i laptop. Both try to give the user a bigger screen while maintaining the dimensions of conventional products. As a result, at least on paper, they partially solve the need; But let’s remember that the Galaxy Z Fold and the Yoga Book 9i laptop can only provide the user with a space the size of another screen.
This advantage seems almost meaningless for augmented reality headsets and glasses; Because such a product can turn the entire range of the user’s vision into a display and leave a space of hundreds of inches in front of the user’s eyes!
Naturally, augmented reality headsets currently struggle with several problems; But our article is about the future of the technology world, and such issues will only be around for a while. We must remember that folding products also face many challenges.
The important thing is that headsets and augmented reality glasses make the most crucial feature of folding products meaningless. When the user can interact with a display hundreds of inches away through his 50g glasses, what needs a foldable product that offers more display space?
Technology companies should spend their time and capital on augmented reality technology instead of developing foldable products. This rich and meaningful technology has been neglected in recent years. Instead of trickle-down improvements in smartphones, many tech enthusiasts would love to see the development of exciting products that redefine computer interaction.
Of course, experience shows that users and developers do not welcome innovation. It turns technology companies into football teams that do not like to touch their winning lineup, and this causes the death of innovation and creativity.
With all these interpretations, foldable products will not bring about a specific change in the world of technology. If you’ve been following recent events, you know what a stir artificial intelligence is making and what a vast potential it has to change anything you can think of.
The world is rapidly moving towards the artificial intelligence revolution, A powerful and scary technology undoubtedly tied to the future. Imagine how augmented reality glasses can change how we live and work by using hardware streaming and the power of artificial intelligence. With the help of artificial intelligence, the software can do what used to take hours in just a few minutes, So you don’t even need to wear glasses for long hours.
Finally, folding products can only be described as temporary wound dressings that protect the wound before suturing. As said, such products cannot be the final solution to solve the user’s need, and companies should think about developing products that solve the problem, not adding another equation to it!