Foldable phones are not just a technology trend, but a completely new experience in using smartphones. With their flexible displays and innovative designs, these devices allow you to combine the phone and tablet experience in one device and have completely changed how I perceive and use smartphones on a daily basis. Over time, I discovered many advantages that made me prefer these phones over others, such as the ease of multitasking and the wide, adaptable screens. While I can think of many benefits, thanks to everything that the Galaxy Z Fold 5 has to offer, I will go over the most prominent aspects that I really love about this category of phones. Check out apps that reveal foldable phone features you might be missing.
1. Excellent for typing, reading and typing on the keyboard
If there's one aspect that makes owning a book-style foldable phone worth it, it's this. Having a larger, book-shaped internal screen is ideal for reading e-books. It's better than carrying a Kindle because it fits nicely in your pocket.
It's not just about books; I also love reading comics and magazines on my Galaxy Z Fold 5. As much as I'm sometimes tempted by other attractive phones like the Pixel 9 or Razr+ (2024), having to give up the ability to read my digital library holds me back.
Another reason I love using a foldable phone like the Z Fold 5 is its desktop mode — I ditched my PC in favor of Samsung DeX. Check out my experience using a foldable phone instead of a PC.
I also enjoy taking notes on my Z Fold 5 much more than the last phone I owned with a pen, the Moto G Stylus 5G. Why? Sure, I love Samsung Notes and the many apps that take advantage of the S Pen, but the extra screen real estate really makes a difference. It's like using a Moleskine notebook versus a notepad. Both are comfortable, but one allows for a lot.
I even prefer typing on my phone's internal screen than on any tablet-style smartphone. The larger size feels less cramped, but it's not so large that you need to rest it on your lap like a tablet.
2. Superior multitasking
I do all my professional work from my phone. I regularly switch between Samsung Notes, Slack, my web browser, my Pomodoro timer, and my music app. This was a lot more than I wanted to do at one time on a phone, but that changed once I experienced all the different ways I could multitask on a foldable book-style device, especially from Samsung.
Most large foldable devices have a taskbar or dock. Most of them also support split screen viewing, allowing you to display two or more apps side by side. This is great for copying and pasting or taking notes while viewing a web page. Samsung goes even further by adding the ability to shrink any app into a floating window like you do on a laptop.
I can hide windows along the edge of the screen or reduce them to floating app icons (a common feature in chat apps). Phones and tablets don't have to provide visual experiences for one app at a time, and book-style foldable devices expand what the form factor can do.
3. Built-in stand
I love phone holders. Having something to support the phone is definitely better than trying to hold the phone in front of your eyes for the duration of the video. With a foldable device, you don't need to buy a separate stand. Your phone has its own holder.
I use this function all the time. I often place my phone half-bent on a surface so I can watch video on the external screen. I do this sometimes while playing games too, although my phone's external screen is a bit cramped for most of the games I play.
This built-in stand is useful for taking photos. It allows you to take photos that would normally require a tripod. You can place the phone on a side table, start recording, and get shots of yourself playing cars with your child. We often think of foldable phones as being completely folded or completely unfolded, but this intermediate case is extremely valuable in its own right.
4. Amazing selfies
The camera at the bottom of my phone's screen only has a 4-megapixel resolution, and the camera on the cover screen offers a 10-megapixel resolution. But I don't use it for selfies or video calls because I can simply open my phone and take advantage of the huge camera on the back while using the cover screen as a viewfinder.
The benefit of this approach cannot be understated, especially for those of us who work remotely. Getting a high-quality photo of myself on Slack took only a few moments. Even when I get my hands on high-end phones that take great selfies, like the Pixel 9 Pro I reviewed, I still prefer the quality I get from being able to flip the foldable phone around to use the rear camera.
Like I said before, I could go on and on. I love how easy it is to work with office documents on the Z Fold 5, whose internal screen resembles a Word document much more than any laptop I've owned. Despite the larger internal screen, I like that my phone is shorter and narrower than my previous smartphones, making it feel smaller in my pocket and hand. I love how great some games look on the bigger screen, e.g Slay the Spire and Midnight Girl.
All of these factors prevent me from going back to a tablet phone. I find that foldable phones are worth the extra cost. Don't let sticker shock scare you off. You don't necessarily have to pay nearly $2,000 for a foldable phone; The flea market is your friend. I bought the Z Fold 5 (unboxed) for less than a thousand dollars. You can now see a comparison between the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Z Fold 5: What's new?
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