Tag Archives: foldable

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6: News, Rumors, Price, and Dates

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Foldable phones aren’t going anywhere, at least not yet. They might not be generating much hype nowadays, but they still stir up a flurry whenever a new model launches. There’s definitely plenty of room for improvement not just in specs but also in design, and we indeed see some brands playing around with those elements a bit. Although there are now more foldable phones available, Samsung is still the undisputed leader even if by virtue of its industry clout only. Of course, its dominance is being challenged by competitors whose designs are addressing many of the flaws and limitations of the Galaxy Z Fold, which is why all eyes are on how Samsung will respond in kind this year. We might be just three months away from the launch of the Galaxy Z Fold 6, so we’ve gathered in one place all the details we know so far to paint a more complete picture of what to expect from one of the pioneers of this still niche market.

Designer: Samsung (renders courtesy of Smartprix and Steve Hemmerstoffer/@OnLeaks)

Galaxy Z Fold 6: Design

The way a foldable phone works sounds almost so easy, but the reality is that it’s a hellish design to implement given the delicate balancing act that designers and engineers have to make. How do you design a smartphone that can be as big as a small tablet yet still be comfortable to use as a regular phone? To be perfectly blunt, Samsung failed to hit the mark with its first generation of foldables, but it seems to be inching closer to a better solution with each iteration.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5

Designer: Samsung

According to the accumulated leaks and rumors, the Galaxy Z Fold 6 will be making some rather small but significant changes to the formula. There are some disagreements on exact figures, but the consensus is that Samsung’s 2024 large foldable will have a wider external Cover Screen, a thinner and lighter frame, flatter edges, and sharper corners. These minuscule changes all add up to make the Galaxy Z Fold 6 resemble its Galaxy S cousin more.

The wider outer display will have a big impact on usability, even if the screen size itself doesn’t change. The new aspect ratio would make the phone less awkward to use as a regular phone when folded, one of the biggest and still present criticisms of Samsung’s foldable design. This does mean that the unfolded shape will be more square this time, resembling the form that other foldable phones have taken. That said, based on some of the leaked measurements, it will still not be as wide as the Google Pixel Fold or OnePlus Open which are considered to have the better design on this aspect.

Google Pixel Fold

Google Pixel Fold

Google Pixel Fold

Designer: Google

The Galaxy Z Fold 6 is also expected to be thinner (5.6mm folded, 12.1mm unfolded) and lighter (239g) than any of its predecessors. This improvement is, again, based on the design of the Galaxy Z Fold before it (6.1mm folded, 13.4mm unfolded, 253g weight), but not against other brands. The recently launched Honor Magic V2 probably holds the title of thinnest and lightest foldable, but its limited availability makes that pointless for some markets. One side effect of a thinner body, however, is that there will still be no room for an integrated S Pen, something Samsung loyals have been wishing for since the Galaxy Z Fold 3.

Honor Magic V2 RSR Porsche Design

Honor Magic V2 RSR Porsche Design

Honor Magic V2 RSR Porsche Design

Designer: Honor

There are rumors of an “ultra” model for the Galaxy Z Fold 6 where Samsung will pull out most of the stops. If true, this could be a titanium-clad model, in line with the Galaxy S24 Ultra and the general trend in the industry. Of course, this would also raise prices higher, especially if the so-called Galaxy Z Fold 6 Ultra will include other upgrades as well.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5

Galaxy Z Fold 6: Specs and Software

Samsung always gives its flagship products the best specs available in the market, and the Galaxy Z Fold 6 won’t be any different. The question, however, is whether Samsung’s idea of “best” matches the expectations of buyers. This year, we’ll be looking at another iterative upgrade, and some consumers might not be that amused.

The latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is a no-brainer for a 2024 flagship, and we haven’t heard any whispers of a special version custom-made for Samsung or the foldable. What might not see a big jump, however, is the memory that comes with the phone. RAM will be capped at 12GB yet again, with storage coming in 256GB and 512GB capacities. It’s probably high time that we get a 16GB RAM, 1TB storage Galaxy Z Fold, but that might not be on the table unless those “Ultra” model rumors pan out.

The battery is yet another aspect that is unlikely to see any changes. Although a 4,600mAh battery was earlier rumored, a thinner and lighter design would probably make more sense if Samsung sticks to the same 4,400mAh pack. Unfortunately, charging technologies aren’t expected to change either and new owners will be stuck with the same 25W wired and 15W wireless charging speeds.

Given the expected timing of the launch, the Galaxy Z Fold 6 will be launching with the latest One UI 6.1 version that will still be based on the current Android 14 release. It will mostly be the same user experience on the Galaxy S24, just with some foldable-specific features mixed in. Do expect that Samsung will heavily advertise AI features as well, especially those that it wasn’t able to focus on earlier this year.

Galaxy Z Fold 6: Cameras

While the incremental upgrades to specs can be forgiven, the biggest Achilles’ heel of this year’s Samsung foldable will be its cameras. Contrary to expectations and wishes, the Galaxy Z Fold 6 is now believed to use the exact same set of cameras that came with the Galaxy Z Fold 5 last year. That means a 50MP main camera, a 10MP 3x zoom telephoto, and a 12MP ultra-wide. The under-display camera under the foldable screen is expected to see performance improvements but still have the same 4MP sensor.

While it’s true that you can squeeze out impressive images from such sensors using software and algorithms, you can only go so far with relatively weaker hardware. The bigger question is why Samsung is unable to use better cameras when almost all its competitors can. Thickness is definitely not an issue and it’s not like Samsung’s foldables are less expensive than other foldables, so one can only wonder about the company’s reasons.

OPPO Find N3

OPPO Find N3

OPPO Find N3

Designer: OPPO

That said, it could be setting the stage for the rumored Galaxy Z Fold 6 Ultra that’s said to resemble the Galaxy S24 Ultra in some ways. In addition to a titanium frame, this Ultra foldable might borrow the 200MP camera of Samsung’s early 2024 flagship. That, however, might mean changing the foldable phone’s dimensions, particularly its thickness, so there’s a very slim chance that will be the case.

Galaxy Z Fold 6: Price and Launch Date

Samsung seems to be holding its second Galaxy Unboxed event earlier each year, especially now that it has retired the Galaxy Note line. The Galaxy Z Fold 5 was announced in late July last year, with the actual shipments starting around August. This year might follow the same pattern with the announcement happening around the second week of July. This earlier date might also be due to Samsung trying to avoid clashing with the 2024 Summer Olympics, where it could be a major sponsor and advertise the Galaxy Z Fold 6 heavily during the event.

We’re not expecting any price changes this year at least, especially since there aren’t any big changes happening. The past few foldable flagships launched at $1,800, and that could still be the same starting price for a 12GB RAM, 256GB storage configuration. That said, if there is an Ultra model, the pricing scheme could shift a bit and be a bit more complicated. The base Galaxy Z Fold 6 could start at $1,700 instead, while the Ultra model with its titanium design and higher specs might hit $2,000.

Galaxy Z Fold 6: Final Thoughts

It looks like Samsung fans will be facing another iterative cycle this year as far as the Galaxy Z Fold 6 is concerned. While there will be marked improvements in terms of performance and design, some of the pain points current owners have remained unaddressed. Hopefully, the wider Cover Screen aspect ratio will indeed improve the phone’s overall usability, the change might be a bit too subtle to matter. Photography is where the Galaxy Z Fold 6 will hurt the most, and Samsung has to prove that it can pull out a rabbit from its hat using these aging camera sensors.

Although Samsung leads the smartphone industry because of its wide reach and prestige, it is risking that advantage by sitting on its laurels for too long in the foldable market. Although some of its competitors aren’t available in major markets where Samsung plays, they do drive home the flaws in Samsung’s design. If these brands can achieve something that a giant like Samsung can’t, then people will start losing confidence in the brand’s products, creating a self-fulfilling prophecy of weaker sales for the Galaxy Z Fold line.

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Origami-inspired table concept folds into a lamp to save space

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Tables are important pieces of furniture in any human space, whether it’s the dining table at home or a meeting table at the office. That said, we don’t always use these flat horizontal surfaces all the time, and there will be times when they’re just taking up precious space. Yes, more aesthetic tables do provide some visual value, but it doesn’t outweigh the cost of their presence. Foldable tables are practical, but few actually look good even when unfolded and the hassle of moving the folded table out of the way makes them less compelling. But what if you didn’t need to put the table away because it not only becomes more compact but also serves a different purpose? That’s the kind of multi-functional design that this concept proposes, turning a table into a lamp.

Designer: Sonakshi Gupta

The Japanese art of folding paper has inspired many designs because of its beauty, simplicity, and space efficiency. A large and flat sheet of paper can suddenly become a geometric flower or swan with a few folds, significantly reducing the area that the piece of paper once occupied. This art doesn’t involve removing or adding parts, which makes each piece an independent and standalone unit.

LightUP is a concept that takes inspiration from origami and kirigami (which does involve cutting away and gluing pieces together) to design a table that not only saves space but also provides a completely different functionality or two. The squarish wooden tabletop folds up into a shape that’s like a flower bud, freeing up the space around the table for use. Thanks to ingenious invisible hinges, not only do you have a clean and flat table surface but moving only one or two corners is enough to fold and unfold the table. The easier you can perform this action, the more frequently you’re willing to do it.

Of course, that’s not where it all ends. The design’s name comes from the fact that wide LED light strips from the pyramidal base of the table to each of the four corners. Thus, the table becomes a room-wide lamp at night but can also remain as a space-saving art object when the lights are off.

Admittedly, the design’s implementation is actually more complicated than it looks thanks to the moving parts and hinges involved. Those may become points of failure over time due to wear and tear. The idea, however, could give birth to a simpler design, one that takes into account aesthetics, functionality, and sustainability altogether for a truly space-saving piece of furniture.

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Concept laptop and tablet adapts to your mobile working needs

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As we continue to be more mobile in terms of where we work and study, gadgets and devices are adjusting to users’ needs and wants. More often than not, laptops and tablets are the devices of choice as it allows us to work wherever we want, oftentimes at cafes and shared or co-working spaces or sometimes even while commuting. There are already a lot of options out there but we continue to look at concepts that can bring even more improvements to our nomad working lifestyle.

Designer: Lee Seung-Hee

This concept laptop called LT-1 aims to solve the pain point of having a disorganized work environment when you’re working outside or having several gadgets with you even as you have limited space and are continuously mobile. What we need is to have a device that is efficient, practical, can adjust to our needs, and can multi-task just like what we’re probably doing. What they came up with is a minimalist looking laptop that has several functionalities built into it.

What’s unique about this concept is that you have a sub-display in the keyboard area which can show things that don’t need much of your attention but may be important to know. This includes your music playlist, preview of messages, and even a scheduler if you need to take a quick look at those things. Taking up 1/3 of your keyboard is the multi tablet section which basically serves as your trackpad and a multi-touch surface where you can use your pencil or stylus. It also has something called Mode Change LED although it’s not fully explained what it does. The keyboard itself has shortcut keys and there’s a function bar at the top where you have power key, switch to tablet mode, sound control, and something called “behavioral recording”.

They assume that you’ll use the LT-1 a lot so there’s a chance of overheating. There’s a back vent and a side vent to help with that as one of the ideas for this laptop and tablet in one is that it will remain cool. As a concept, this is pretty interesting but the actual execution may be challenging, and maybe even expensive. Let’s see how far the LT-1 Concept Laptop can get and if we’ll eventually see it in the market.

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Origami-inspired Bluetooth mouse turns a mundane device into a fashion statement

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As odd and unnatural as the computer mouse might be, it has become the standard input device second only to the keyboard. For decades, however, the design of the mouse has changed very little except when modified in the name of ergonomics. There has been a recent spate of concepts that try to breathe new life into mouse design, but many of those remain in the conceptual realm only. This peculiar design almost looks like one of those, but it’s surprisingly a product you can really get your hands on, figuratively and literally. It’s definitely unlike any Bluetooth mouse you’ve ever laid eyes on because when it’s not in use, it can fold so perfectly flat that you can even slip it into your pocket and make it look like a part of your fashionable attire.

Designer: Horace Lam

We’ve actually seen quite a few mice that can fold or lay completely flat, but few have ever made it into production because of the surprising complexity of mouse design. Origami, the ancient Japanese art of paper folding, might be great for paper, but not for something that needs to withstand the wear and tear of daily use, not to mention being carried around in bags or even pockets. That’s the rather impressive feat that the myAir.0 OriMouse claims to have achieved, offering a wireless mouse that is flat, functional, and fashionable.

In its flat and deactivated state, the OriMouse has a “V” shape with a faceted surface. Covered in vegan leather or textile, it doesn’t even look anything like a mouse. Weighing only 40g and less than 5mm thin, it looks and feels more like an art object that you carry in your pocket or in your bag. But with a simple pinching gesture that joins the two divergent ends together, the OriMouse rises to the occasion, literally, to become an essential tool for productivity.

Using the same principles that give origami designs innate stability, this foldable mouse can withstand a lot of pressure from your hand without buckling from the weight. At the same time, however, a simple push at a specific and strategic spot disengages the two neodymium magnets and collapses the structure back to its flat state. In addition to this shape-shifting trick, the OriMouse promises a more ergonomic design thanks to the polygonal structure inspired by the folds and facets of an origami object.

Although the various options available make use of textured materials to give the mouse an even more tactile experience, the OriMouse’s foldable design also lends itself perfectly to more artistic expressions. In fact, one model even has a graffiti graphic printed on its surface, and it’s not hard to imagine branding opportunities for such a design. Granted, the actual ergonomics of such a mouse will probably be a matter of debate, but if you are looking for a highly portable Bluetooth mouse, it won’t hurt to take a hard look at something that’s also so unique and beautiful that you will easily become the envy of the crowd around you.

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Google Pixel Fold 2 display might be even bigger, according to a leak

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After MWC 2024 last month, it was clear that foldable phones aren’t going anywhere despite previous prophecies of doom. Samsung is obviously very much in the running, and Honor is pulling out the stops as well. Google is the one brand that is believed to be a bit over the fence, especially in the direction it will be taking its Pixel Fold in. There are already some expected big changes in design, but the changes might be even bigger than expected, literally. According to the latest rumor, the Google Pixel Fold 2’s screens will indeed be bigger, but they will actually be a lot bigger than previously cited, and this change could have significant repercussions for the rest of the foldable phone’s design.

Designer: Google (via Ross Young)

Although foldable phones are marketed as phones that can turn into tablets, the reality is that they can only turn into mini tablets that are even smaller than the iPad mini. This is mostly due to the requirement that these devices should still be usable as normal phones, something that’s actually near impossible if you fold a 10-inch tablet in half. Not unless you can actually fold it in three, which is what Samsung might be doing soon.

In the meantime, however, phone manufacturers have to work within that limitation, and Google will apparently be pushing the boundaries with its second-gen design. According to the newest unofficial information, the Google Pixel Fold 2 will have an external “Cover Screen” size of 6.29 inches and an internal main display of 8.02 inches. Considering the first Pixel Fold had sizes of 5.8 inches and 7.6 inches for those same screens, that’s a rather big jump in terms of screen size. For comparison, the iPad mini has an 8.3-inch screen.

That size increase won’t just be for the sake of bragging, though, as it will definitely affect the usability of the device. Yes, you will be able to enjoy more content or a less cramped space, but that could come at the cost of being bigger to hold in one hand, especially when folded as a phone. There’s also the matter of bezel size, which the Pixel Fold was notorious for. Either way, it won’t be the compact foldable that many people actually loved, so Google might lose some fans but gain others.

Unfortunately, the source didn’t confirm the other two big changes rumored for the Pixel Fold 2, particularly the aspect ratio and especially the camera design. The latter might prove to be the more controversial change for Google’s once-beautiful design, especially if the hardware upgrade doesn’t exactly warrant that change. The screens for the Pixel Fold 2 will reportedly go into production next month, so an announcement won’t be far away.

The post Google Pixel Fold 2 display might be even bigger, according to a leak first appeared on Yanko Design.

Google Pixel Fold 2 display might be even bigger, according to a leak

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After MWC 2024 last month, it was clear that foldable phones aren’t going anywhere despite previous prophecies of doom. Samsung is obviously very much in the running, and Honor is pulling out the stops as well. Google is the one brand that is believed to be a bit over the fence, especially in the direction it will be taking its Pixel Fold in. There are already some expected big changes in design, but the changes might be even bigger than expected, literally. According to the latest rumor, the Google Pixel Fold 2’s screens will indeed be bigger, but they will actually be a lot bigger than previously cited, and this change could have significant repercussions for the rest of the foldable phone’s design.

Designer: Google (via Ross Young)

Although foldable phones are marketed as phones that can turn into tablets, the reality is that they can only turn into mini tablets that are even smaller than the iPad mini. This is mostly due to the requirement that these devices should still be usable as normal phones, something that’s actually near impossible if you fold a 10-inch tablet in half. Not unless you can actually fold it in three, which is what Samsung might be doing soon.

In the meantime, however, phone manufacturers have to work within that limitation, and Google will apparently be pushing the boundaries with its second-gen design. According to the newest unofficial information, the Google Pixel Fold 2 will have an external “Cover Screen” size of 6.29 inches and an internal main display of 8.02 inches. Considering the first Pixel Fold had sizes of 5.8 inches and 7.6 inches for those same screens, that’s a rather big jump in terms of screen size. For comparison, the iPad mini has an 8.3-inch screen.

That size increase won’t just be for the sake of bragging, though, as it will definitely affect the usability of the device. Yes, you will be able to enjoy more content or a less cramped space, but that could come at the cost of being bigger to hold in one hand, especially when folded as a phone. There’s also the matter of bezel size, which the Pixel Fold was notorious for. Either way, it won’t be the compact foldable that many people actually loved, so Google might lose some fans but gain others.

Unfortunately, the source didn’t confirm the other two big changes rumored for the Pixel Fold 2, particularly the aspect ratio and especially the camera design. The latter might prove to be the more controversial change for Google’s once-beautiful design, especially if the hardware upgrade doesn’t exactly warrant that change. The screens for the Pixel Fold 2 will reportedly go into production next month, so an announcement won’t be far away.

The post Google Pixel Fold 2 display might be even bigger, according to a leak first appeared on Yanko Design.

Google Pixel Fold 2 display might be even bigger, according to a leak

Posted on by

After MWC 2024 last month, it was clear that foldable phones aren’t going anywhere despite previous prophecies of doom. Samsung is obviously very much in the running, and Honor is pulling out the stops as well. Google is the one brand that is believed to be a bit over the fence, especially in the direction it will be taking its Pixel Fold in. There are already some expected big changes in design, but the changes might be even bigger than expected, literally. According to the latest rumor, the Google Pixel Fold 2’s screens will indeed be bigger, but they will actually be a lot bigger than previously cited, and this change could have significant repercussions for the rest of the foldable phone’s design.

Designer: Google (via Ross Young)

Although foldable phones are marketed as phones that can turn into tablets, the reality is that they can only turn into mini tablets that are even smaller than the iPad mini. This is mostly due to the requirement that these devices should still be usable as normal phones, something that’s actually near impossible if you fold a 10-inch tablet in half. Not unless you can actually fold it in three, which is what Samsung might be doing soon.

In the meantime, however, phone manufacturers have to work within that limitation, and Google will apparently be pushing the boundaries with its second-gen design. According to the newest unofficial information, the Google Pixel Fold 2 will have an external “Cover Screen” size of 6.29 inches and an internal main display of 8.02 inches. Considering the first Pixel Fold had sizes of 5.8 inches and 7.6 inches for those same screens, that’s a rather big jump in terms of screen size. For comparison, the iPad mini has an 8.3-inch screen.

That size increase won’t just be for the sake of bragging, though, as it will definitely affect the usability of the device. Yes, you will be able to enjoy more content or a less cramped space, but that could come at the cost of being bigger to hold in one hand, especially when folded as a phone. There’s also the matter of bezel size, which the Pixel Fold was notorious for. Either way, it won’t be the compact foldable that many people actually loved, so Google might lose some fans but gain others.

Unfortunately, the source didn’t confirm the other two big changes rumored for the Pixel Fold 2, particularly the aspect ratio and especially the camera design. The latter might prove to be the more controversial change for Google’s once-beautiful design, especially if the hardware upgrade doesn’t exactly warrant that change. The screens for the Pixel Fold 2 will reportedly go into production next month, so an announcement won’t be far away.

The post Google Pixel Fold 2 display might be even bigger, according to a leak first appeared on Yanko Design.

Galaxy Z Fold 6 renders reveal sharp design, rumors of Ultra model appear

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MWC 2024 has seen several foldable phones that have either already launched or are still yet to come, showing that this growing market is, in fact, still growing. But even with the number of new players or new models popping up regularly, there’s no denying that one brand stands at the top in terms of both market share as well as mind share. That’s the advantage of being one of the first and one of the most aggressive to market foldable phones, but it’s an advantage that won’t last long if Samsung chooses to rest on its laurels. Previous rumors about the Galaxy Z Fold 6 hint at a very mixed bag, and fresh 3D renders of Samsung’s next foldable seem to prove that it is indeed going after iterative refinement over sensational new features.

Designer: Samsung (via Smartprix and Steve Hemmerstoffer/@OnLeaks)

Depending on how you look at it, the Galaxy Z Fold 6’s design pictured in these unofficial renders could either be sleek or boring. It admittedly shares much in common with its predecessor, save for one detail. The corners are now more angular, which gives it a sharper appearance, literally and figuratively. In a sense, it resembles the boxy Galaxy S24 Ultra now more than ever, putting it in the same category as that “pro” smartphone.

The more interesting details, however, aren’t exactly apparent in these renders. The illustrations were based on unofficial sources which claim that when unfolded, the Galaxy Z Fold 6 will have a dimension of 153.5 x 132.5 x 6.1 mm. While that does “confirm” that the phone is shorter and wider, it also indicates that the thickness hasn’t changed at all. That, in turn, could raise hopes that there might still be some room for an S Pen inside after all.

Other than that, there aren’t many changes expected for the next big Samsung foldable, especially when it comes to the cameras. That said, there are now whispers of an “Ultra” model apparently in the works, one that could have those much-awaited features like a built-in S Pen and upgraded cameras. This goes in the completely opposite direction of earlier rumors of a more affordable Galaxy Z Fold model. Then again, Samsung could also opt to lower the price of a “base” Galaxy Z Fold 6 ever so slightly in order to position the Galaxy Z Fold 6 Ultra better.

Regardless of how its actual design will come out, it will be an interesting and critical time for Samsung’s foldables. While it’s still popular, it is no longer the only game in town and its competitors are gaining ground quickly. Sooner or later, it will need to take bigger and bolder changes, especially ones that people have come to expect from one of the biggest smartphone makers in the world.

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Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 Design: What We Know So Far

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Foldable phones are one of the more curious members of the mobile tech market. They seem like an answer looking for a problem, though some consider them as something they never knew they needed until they laid hands on one. It’s not exactly a stable market either, but that’s stopping Samsung from pushing out new models every year. 2024 won’t be any different, but the Galaxy Z Fold 6 might be, at least in some ways. Unlike its early days, Samsung seems to be content to move more slowly this time, letting its designs simmer longer even while its hardware grows by leaps and bounds. That’s especially true for its next foldable based on unofficial information, but that also paints a very mixed picture that could leave Samsung playing catch up in the very market it created.

Designer: Samsung

Thin and Square

While foldable phones over great flexibility, they come at the cost of not only complexity and price but also ergonomics. These devices are practically two narrow smartphones joined together, so their combined thickness when folded is also twice that of regular smartphones. The most basic solution would be to make the device thinner, but like with regular smartphones, you’re bound to hit the limits of how thin you can go without compromising durability or safety.

Pushing those boundaries has been one of the biggest obsessions that foldable phone makers have, and it seems that Samsung is joining the fray this year. According to the latest leak, the Galaxy Z Fold 6 will be 11mm thick only when folded shut, a significant diet compared to the 13.4mm thickness of the current Galaxy Z Fold 5. That would make the unfolded form only about 5.5mm thick, which is crazy thin even by regular tablet standards. If true, that hopefully won’t come with compromises to the phone’s structural integrity and battery life.

The profile isn’t the only thing expected to change in the Galaxy Z Fold 6. The external Cover Screen is also tipped to be a bit wider this time around, more in line with the standard aspect ratios of non-foldable phones. In theory, this would make it less awkward to use it as a regular phone when folded, but that also means that the unfolded aspect ratio will be more square than any Galaxy Z Fold before it.

S Pen No Home

Making the Galaxy Z Fold 6 thinner is going to be a dream come true for some fans, but it will also probably disappoint a certain group because of the consequences of that change. If you make a phone thinner, you either have to shrink or reduce the size of other components, for example, the battery, or spread them around wider. Either way, it’s going to be a cramped space inside, which leaves no room for an S Pen silo yet again.

Although the Galaxy Z Fold series has supported Samsung’s Wacom-powered stylus since 2021, the S Pen never really had a proper home inside the device itself. Contrast this with the Galaxy S Ultra series that, inheriting the Galaxy Note spirit, came with an S Pen as part of the package. There might be debates on the ergonomics of such a thin stick, but owners at least had the option of not buying two extra accessories just for that writing and drawing experience.

Yes, two accessories, because you’re likely to buy a compatible case if you’ll be investing in an S Pen Fold Edition. There really is no other convenient alternative to making sure that you don’t lose the stylus in your pocket, bag, or anywhere else. Unfortunately, designs for these cases feel more like works in progress and it seems it will continue to be the case for another iteration.

Camera Shy

The biggest disappointment, however, might come from the Galaxy Z Fold 6’s cameras. The latest word is that the upcoming foldable will sport a 50MP main camera, a 12MP ultra-wide shooter, and a 10MP telephoto camera on its back. The external front camera will be a 10MP selfie shooter while the internal front-facing camera has a 4MP under-display sensor.

Those are very much the same cameras used in the Galaxy Z Fold 4 from 2022, and although we don’t know yet of any hardware or software tweaks that Samsung will make, they’re still disappointing to hear. This is one area where the brand is being left in its competitors’ dust and where the product doesn’t feel deserving of its premium price tag. Some might actually forgive Samsung for putting a large camera bump on the phone’s back compared to reusing the same cameras for the third year in a row.

Of course, all of these are still unofficial information, so we might be pleasantly surprised by a more noteworthy Galaxy Z Fold 6 in August. Given the trends, though, that doesn’t seem to be likely, as Samsung is taking a more iterative approach to design with its large foldables. Maybe it doesn’t feel the heat from its rivals that don’t have the same market reach as the tech giant, but it’s also very close to stagnating and killing off the very trend that it started.

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Google Pixel Fold 2 renders say goodbye to a distinctive design

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The foldable phone market is still very young, which means there’s plenty of room for design improvement across the board. We can expect manufacturers to experiment with different combinations that try to cram as much hardware as possible inside super-thin bodies. Change is inevitable but not every change will be welcomed with open arms. Some are bound to be controversial, especially when they involve removing something that people have grown fond of. That might be the case with Google’s second foldable phone, which will trade its somewhat iconic “visor” camera design for a rather unusual spin on the common camera bump that might prove to be quite unappealing if these unofficial renders are correct.

Designer: Google (via Smartprix, @OnLeaks)

Granted, the Google Pixel’s rear camera bar isn’t exactly loved by everyone, but it still gives the smartphones a distinctive appearance that can be considered Google’s signature design. That’s not exactly easy to pull off on a foldable phone like the Pixel Fold, so Google had to modify it to be less elegant but still shouted “Pixel” nonetheless. Whether you liked that design or not, it might not be sticking around on Google’s foldable for long, and maybe not even on its future smartphones.

Renders based on leaked information reveal the alleged Pixel Fold 2 design that is so different from the first-gen foldable. Gone is the horizontal bar, replaced by what almost looks like a more conventional rounded square in the corner. That illusion quickly breaks down, however, when you notice the two horizontal pill-shaped cutouts for the camera lenses. In addition to possibly being very thick, this could easily be one of the least attractive camera designs today.

The more subtle changes can be found in the sizes of the two screens. Not only are they larger, they also have different aspect ratios. The external Cover screen, for example, is a bit narrower and taller, resulting in an unfolded shape that is more square than the first Pixel Fold. The bezels around the internal display are also much thinner, which leaves no room for a camera. Apparently, this could also be Google’s first phone to use an under-display camera as well.

None of these details are guaranteed, of course, and Google might surprise us with a Pixel Fold 2 that looks almost exactly like the Pixel Fold 1, except more refined. It is definitely within Google’s right to change its designs as it sees fit, but there are also times when you’re just left scratching your head at the oddity of it all. Fortunately, the Pixel Fold is hardly the only foldable phone available, especially with OPPO confirming it’s still in the race.

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