Smartphones
All the foldable phones and how much you have to flex to get each one
A lot of $$$, basically
We’re entering another technological era: The time of foldable smartphones. And no, I’m not talking about flip phones, no matter how cool those sound.
If you’re as confused as I am, this is all you need to know: For years, tech folks have been obsessed with foldable phones — with Samsung showing off a concept as early as 2014 — but it’s never really happened until this year.
All the bendy innovation comes at a price, though, that brings the famously expensive iPhone XS Max to shame. But, since price has never stopped anyone from liking weird stuff, I’ve rounded up all the foldable phones and added how much you’ll have to shell out to get one.
Royole FlexPai
Talk about beating the big tech companies to the punch, Royole launched the first-ever commercially available folding smartphone in China.
At this year’s CES, Royole showcased a folding phone that features a bendable display. The FlexPai wasn’t the only interesting flexible screen display application we saw from Royole.
Even better than the @RoyoleOfficial FlexPai? This awesome Royole purse fitted with a screen that can match your every mood 🤩 #CES2019 pic.twitter.com/rMn0DJHjm2
— Isa Rodriguez (@sisasaid) January 12, 2019
Not really surprised, though. This is the same company marketing a screen-fitted top hat for US$ 900 — which, TBH, is sort of worth it. 😂
Of course we have the #FlexPai foldable phone for you to touch & feel at our booth, but our flexible wearables are also here to entertain you! Hall 3, booth 3K33. #futurehat #MWC2019 pic.twitter.com/4ezo2f2mFC
— Royole Europe (@Royole_Europe) February 25, 2019
Cost: US$ 1,200 or just US$ 250 shy of that iPhone XS Max. If you think that’s expensive, oh, you have no idea.
Samsung Galaxy Fold
When Samsung finally unveiled its foldable phone at this year’s MWC, it was a 7.3-inch tablet that turns into a 4.3-inch phone by folding inward.
In case you missed it, @SamsungMobile unfolded the future #GalaxyFold #Unpacked pic.twitter.com/kGSmuKU0Fp
— GadgetMatch (@gadgetmatch) February 21, 2019
It has a total of six cameras on three different areas (there are so many phone sides now 😅).
Cost: US$ 1,980 or just about two reasonably priced 2018 smartphone flagships, because why get one phone when you can get yourself one that bends. 🤯
READ MORE: The Samsung Galaxy Fold is official!
Huawei Mate X
Huawei’s entry into the foldable phone race folds outward and utilizes a bar on the back side for triple-camera Leica shooters.
It’s an 8-inch tablet that turns into a phone with a 6.6-inch front screen and a 6.38-inch back screen.
Cost: EUR 2,299 or around US$ 2,600 which is exactly the amount of money I do not have for a smartphone. Fun fact, the same price tag will get you two and a half Louis Vuitton Speedy Monogram bags or around 24 bottles of Moet.
READ MORE: Huawei Mate X launches as world’s fastest foldable 5G phone
OPPO foldable prototype
Not to be outdone and in true “if you can do it, we can do it, too!” fashion, OPPO also showed off a foldable device which looks a whole lot like Huawei’s Mate X.
Cost: Not coming to market… yet. OPPO admits that the cost of this phone is way too much for such a small market — finally, real talk from a multi-billion yuan company. 😅
READ MORE: OPPO showcases own foldable phone, but won’t sell it yet
TCL’s DragonHinge phones
Not to be outdone, TCL showcased a folding phone, well, sort of.
TCL unveiled the DragonHinge, which is a mechanism that will allow for even more foldable phones.
Cost: Phones with DragonHinge come with a 2020 shipping date so you can at least hold on to your cash until then.
READ MORE: TCL’s DragonHinge enables mobile devices to go foldable
LG V50 ThinQ with a case which is also technically something that folds
LG hasn’t jumped on the foldable screen bandwagon but instead offers a foldable phone option with their Dual Screen case. It’s literally an accessory that turns your single-screened V50 into a foldable phone with double screens — perfect for those who can’t commit to these flexy phones.
Cost: No pricing yet, but surely a phone and a phone case would cost less than 24 bottles of Moet?
READ MORE: V50 ThinQ is LG’s first 5G smartphone, still a multimedia powerhouse
ZTE Nubia Alpha Wearable, basically a phone bent around your wrist
So sure, these phones fold, but what if your flex is more of a bend than a fold? Worry not, dear reader, 2019 tech has you covered.
Here’s a new tech you can wear! #NubiaAlpha pic.twitter.com/yJ43gMSIno
— GadgetMatch (@gadgetmatch) February 26, 2019
ZTE’s Nubia Alpha wearable is sort of a smartwatch but is also almost a smartphone. It can house a 4G eSIM which means you can use it to call and text without pairing it to a phone!
Cost: EUR 549 for the basic 4G eSIM version, but there’s a luxxe 18-karat gold-coated version that retails for EUR 649.
READ MORE: ZTE Nubia’s Alpha wearable is basically a phone on your wrist
News
OPPO Find X9 now available through Smart Postpaid, Infinity
OPPO’s latest flagship has triple Hasselblad cameras, more advanced features
The flagship OPPO Find X9 is now available through Smart Postpaid and Smart Infinity plans for customers in the Philippines.
Subscribers can get the device through Smart Postpaid Plans+ 1999 and Smart Infinity Device Plans 5000/8000.
Here are the inclusions:
Smart Postpaid Plans+ 1999 (PhP 32,500 one-time cashout)
- 15GB data
- Unli 5G data for 12 months
- Unli AllNet Calls & Texts
- Unli Landline Calls
- Access to Smart Postpaid Perks
- Extra 30GB free data for 6 months
- Free Landers Premium Membership (for eligible subscribers)
- PhP 1,000 worth of shopping GCs (Dec. 6 to 12 only for new line)
Infinity Device Plan 5000 (PhP 7,200 one-time cashout)
- Unlimited data
- Unli calls and texts
- PhP 1,500 monthly consumables for in-app purchases, content subscriptions, more
- 1GB roaming for 5 days/month
- Personalized assistance
- 24/7 dedicated personal account manager
- More exclusive lifestyle perks and privileges
Infinity Device Plan 8000 (device is complimentary)
- Unli data, calls, and texts
- PhP 3,000 monthly consumables
- 2GB roaming for 7 days/month
- Personalized assistance
- 24/7 dedicated personal account manager
- More exclusive lifestyle perks and privileges
As an exclusive launch offer, in-store subscribers will also receive a complimentary DJI Osmo Mobile SE stabilizer.
The Smart website also shows that the Find X9 is bundled with a free Enco Buds3 Pro.
Flagship find
The OPPO Find X9 features a triple Hasselblad camera system powered by OPPO’s all-new LUMO Image Engine.
It has three 50MP cameras at the back — one rear, one telephoto, and one ultra-wide — as well as a 32MP front camera.
OPPO’s latest flagship handset is powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 9500 processor. It has a 16GB+512GB configuration and a massive 7,025mAh battery with 80W SUPERVOOC and 50W AIRVOOC charging.
In front is a 6.59-inch 120Hz AMOLED display with a remarkable 95.4% screen-to-body ratio, 1,800 nits HBM brightness, 100% DCI-P3, and 460ppi pixel density.
News
iPhone Air has the worst resale value for Apple in years, report says
One variant has reportedly lost 47.7 percent in value.
An iPhone is not an easy purchase to make. After you spend your hard-earned cash on one, you’re also likely thinking about how much you can resell the phone for. Still, even if it’s used, an iPhone can still fetch a decent price… unless, apparently, if you own an iPhone Air.
The iPhone Air is the latest non-typical addition to Apple’s iconic flagships. Compared to the mainline series, the Air is much thinner but still capable of delivering the Apple experience. Unfortunately, the model might end up being the brand’s biggest misfire.
According to SellCell (via GSM Arena), the iPhone Air has had the worst depreciation in value after ten weeks. Averaging all three variants, the model now averages a 44.3 percent loss of value in the resale market. Worst of all is the 1TB variant which has lost 47.7 percent of its resale value already.
In comparison, the entire iPhone 17 lineup averages a loss of only 34.6 percent. The iPhone 17 Pro Max 256GB variant, in fact, only lost 26.1 percent.
Based on the report’s findings, the iPhone Air’s sudden drop is the worst one since 2022. This is unlikely to be a nitpicked chart, too. Previous reports have speculated that Apple is not bringing back the Air next year because of poor sales.
SEE ALSO: Xiaomi, OPPO, and vivo reportedly cancelled their iPhone Air competitors
News
Infinix partners with Ferrari designer for NOTE 60 Ultra
Smartphones always do well when they ink a partnership with a car-related brand. Remember how amazing it always looks when Porsche or BMW get involved with anything in the smartphone space. Today, Pininfarina is the next automative-adjacent brand to enter the smartphone space via Infinix.
Though you might not recognize the name “Pininfarina,” you will undoubtedly know all the big names they’re associated with. The Italian design firm is behind the designs of iconic Italian luxury cars like the Ferrari Testarossa and the Alfa Romeo Spider. Now, it’s coming to a smartphone.
Infinix, to be exact. Today, Infinix announced that it is partnering with Pininfarina for the Infinix NOTE 60 Ultra.
The brand has been on the rise lately, especially in Southeast Asia. According to IDC, the brand recently topped the quarter-on-quarter shipment increase in the region. The brand seesaws between offering affordable smartphone experiences to premium daily drivers. The NOTE 60 Ultra will be latest to join this thriving lineup.
Unfortunately, Infinix has not announced what the upcoming smartphone will look like. Pininfarina will, at least, add a nice veneer of luxury to the phone’s design.
The brand has confirmed, however, that the phone is launching in 2026. More details, including features and availability, will be released in the coming weeks.
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