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These are the features we hope to see in the upcoming generation of flip phones

Next generation, flip phones
Next generation, flip phones

Perhaps the biggest development in smartphone technology over the past ten years is the introduction of foldable phones. Naturally, advances in chipsets, cameras, and screens have been made, as have batteries that charge more quickly and last longer. However, in comparison to the time when we could suddenly start bending cellphones in half without breaking anything, these advancements are slow, expected, and rather ordinary.

Additionally, the rate of improvement has been astounding. The once-groundbreaking but now cumbersome Royole Flexpai has been replaced in the last five years by the sleek and fashionable Motorola Razr+ and the unstoppable OnePlus Open. Being the most well-established participant in the foldable market is Samsung’s business, and in a few weeks, we’ll find out what its newest models, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 and Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6, have to offer.

These two also perfectly represent the two primary forms that contemporary foldables adopt: Z Fold: traditional smartphones with a vertical hinge that expands to increase productivity; and Z Flip: clamshells with a horizontal hinge that pay homage to the flip phones of the late 90s and early 2000s.

The future of book-style foldables is easy to predict, but the direction that the clamshell foldable will go is less clear. Their greatest qualities have not been productivity but rather compactness and style. However, there are still a number of unaddressed compromises, which, if resolved in subsequent generations, would reduce the choice between a clamshell foldable and a rigid-bodied candy bar handset to one of taste and taste alone.

A bolder, better display

Next genaration flip phones

Phone manufacturers assert that with each generation of foldables, the crease that characterizes their flexible screens has become less noticeable; but, in real-world testing over the past year or two, even the finest foldable phones appear to be seeing a diminishing return. While there is no doubting the difficulty of creating a flexible and durable display, given the progress made in the material sciences and the success of devices like the LG Gram Fold laptop from the previous year, it doesn’t seem impossible to imagine a crease-free, pocket-sized clamshell in the near future.

This patent (via Patently Apple) suggests that Apple may have already developed a smartphone-compatible fix for the wrinkle. If this is accurate, it just means they have to wait for one of their many competitors to outwit them. According to Alpha Business, the company’s much-discussed foldable iPhone is not anticipated to launch until 2027 at the latest.

A cover screen worthy of your time

Next genaration flip phones 3

The most appealing aspect of Z Fold-style folding phones is their larger inside display, but clamshell foldables have the opposite advantage—a characteristic that will only become more valuable in future versions.

The original Galaxy Z Flip’s 1.1-inch 112 × 300 exterior screen is now hilariously dwarfed by the current Galaxy Z Flip 5’s 3.4-inch 748 x 720 “Flex Window,” demonstrating the fast size expansion of these external panels (also known as “cover displays”). Richer widgets, full keyboard typing, more reliable alerts with prompt responses, and compatibility with complete programs like YouTube have all been made possible by this upgrade. Still, the implementation feels experimental at best in its present iteration.

It is anticipated that we will see improved native app support on external displays, faster and greater app continuity when moving between the external and internal screens, and new use cases as more people switch to foldable phones and phone makers invest more time optimizing the software experience for the form factor’s dual-screen setup.

Stronger, more reliable durability

Next genaration flip phones 4

One of the most important issues with foldables has always been durability. It is a general rule that an apparatus has more potential sources of failure the more moving parts it contains. Businesses like Samsung, Honor, Oppo, and Xiaomi have put a lot of effort into meeting fans’ expectations regarding durability.

Some of these efforts include stress-testing hinge mechanisms hundreds of thousands of times, cutting down on the number of parts required for construction, and improving material selection and engineering to reduce the possibility of moisture or dust entering the device. Nevertheless, there is undoubtedly more that can be done.

Using stronger, chemically reinforced glass and polymers seems like a no-brainer improvement for foldable screens, in addition to smoothing out creases. The design-led methodology of the form factor appears to be the ideal platform for incorporating novel materials, like as titanium, into the bodywork’s construction, enabling narrower bezels and an enhanced strength-to-weight ratio.

Could you help us save some cash?

Next genaration flip phones 5

The recent release of the Nubia Flip 5G by Blackview and other companies shows how much more economical foldables have grown to create. But by bringing down the cost, these more affordable clamshells bring back some of the drawbacks that more expensive models have previously fixed, specifically in terms of durability, ingress protection, and battery life.

It is hoped that in a generation or two, even these entry-level clamshell foldables will have improved to the point where there are fewer compromises when compared to their flagship counterparts, similar to what is currently the case with traditional mid-range and even low-cost candybar phones.

An actually good camera, for once

Next genaration flip phones 6

Additionally, the manufacturers of foldable phones are at last beginning to show a greater interest in their photography experiences. Although it is understood that including a hinge and all the other components needed to make a phone bend in half reduces the amount of space available for batteries and camera hardware, it seems that things are starting to even out in this regard, with Z Fold-style foldables receiving preference when it comes to better camera hardware.

It is hoped that future flip phones will prioritize photography more now that the clamshell folding form factor has been established. Initially, it appears to be an obvious choice, given that their small form factor is already optimized for taking primary-sensor selfies and vlogging.

Innovation comes at a price

Since innovation never happens at a steady rate, some of the aforementioned pain issues will be resolved far sooner than others. Though information on attempts to increase durability feels much less clear, there are already indications that the display upgrades we want to see in future foldables are being worked on. The greatest incentive for innovation is competition, therefore, it should not be shocking that purchasing the finest clamshell for your requirements now ensures that everyone gets a better clamshell tomorrow.

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