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Comment by dhruvmittal | Hacker News Reader

Really looking forward to future generations of foldables when the price is closer to $1000 than $2000. I've had my Flip 3 for almost 2 years now and it's been a blast; I'm genuinely interested in the larger foldable size, but the price is still too steep for me.

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Yeah - I understand the technology is complex, but if you think about it you can buy a iPhone 14 Pro and an iPad Pro 11” for the same price as a single foldable. Maybe it is too soon for foldables, but usually “all in one” devices trend towards being cheaper than buying the devices seperately they are supposed to replace, since they are usually lesser versions of each device (IE a super thick normal phone, and a small, squarish tablet with a crease down the middle.)

The iPhone/iPad will also have 2-5x the lifespan of foldables too from what I’ve heard.

Neat devices but not really pragmatic.

Foldables are emerging tech right now anyway, they're probably going to see way bigger improvements in other functionalities over the next 5 years than the iPhone has in the last 5 years. I think if you're buying a foldable at this stage you're probably not attached to keeping it more than 2-3 years in the first place. In the future I'm guessing their durability will also be much better.

You'll know they're mature when Apple releases one.

(IMO this is not a bad thing either way)

I was thinking that too. I have my issues with Apple, but they usually find a pretty good trade off between trailblazing something new, and waiting until the available technology will let them build something to their standards of usability and durability.

For me it's a better product than carrying two different items. If I have to take a tablet I have to bring a bag/case to carry it, and then unzip all that to pull out the tablet every time I want to use it (e.g. video, comics, larger Google Maps). Chances are I just won't bother. It would be similar to taking a laptop with me.

With a foldable phone, I just unfold it. The convenience leads to using it more and that's a big advantage.

Right now the crease/reliability is a worry, but assuming that is resolved I'd pay $1800 for it.

Meanwhile, I paid $250 for a used Pixel 6a and plan to use it for another 2-4 years.

I just bought a 4a for 150 CAD and also plan to use it for as long as I can.

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