Foldable smartphones – a long road to perfection
Foldable smartphones have been developing (or unfolding) for a very long time, but finally, there are models on the market that are virtually compromise-free. Although, Bentley cars are also compromise-free…
Why blog reviews make sense
I am not stupid. And thanks to that, I know that neither are you. That you won't rush to a store to buy a smartphone for many thousands of zlotys based on just one review. Especially a more anecdotal one, published on the operator's blog. Even the best one that exists.
But that's precisely why these reviews are anecdotal. I write them so you can get a general idea of what's happening in the mobile market. I always choose what I consider to be the most interesting device of the month, so you can see and KNOW that this market is evolving, because the common perception is rather that boredom chases boredom.
Honor Magic V3 – elegance, slimness, and build quality
And then there's the Honor Magic V3! A smartphone that folds like a book, but in its folded form, it has the thickness not of a book, but of the school reading “Nasza szkapa”. A smartphone where even from quite close up, you can't tell that it conceals, in addition to the primary one, a huge, tablet-like screen. Because the back looks normal, the sides are slim, and the external display is a sensational OLED with standard proportions. The casing is waterproof, which is also a flagship standard.
Technical specifications: flagship power and fast charging
Inside? Zero compromises! Powerful like a Viking at the oar – with Qualcomm's most powerful processor, plenty of RAM, and the fastest possible internal storage standard. The 5000 mAh battery doesn't impress when you're constantly using the larger internal screen, but again – for such a slim casing, it's standard, and everything is compensated for by blazing-fast 66W charging.
Cameras – close to the top, though not on the podium
Cameras? Alright, here it might slightly lag behind leaders like the Pixel 9 Pro or the iPhone 16 Pro, but that's like the vast majority of phones. What's important is that it's among the best, and its three lenses – main, ultrawide with autofocus for macro, and 3.5x optical zoom – will beautifully capture all moments of your rich life. In all lighting conditions!
Price – the biggest drawback of modern foldables
And rich, because over years of foldable development, the price has virtually remained the last serious compromise. The Honor Magic V3 costs almost 9000 zlotys. And for that amount, you could buy the best possible non-foldable smartphone, a high-end tablet, and even cargo pants to fit both of them. And a few thousand would still be left over. If you choose your pants from a fishing store, not Balenciaga.
We've come a very long way from the first Samsung Galaxy Fold – Samsung teased its development five years before its release, the phone finally hit stores in 2019 and… very quickly left them, because the first batch of devices turned out to be extremely faulty. Additionally, the external screen was virtually symbolic, and many other features couldn't compare to regular phones. And all of this at an exorbitant price.
What is a foldable screen really useful for?
Now, a foldable is the most normal choice. Strong specs, fast charging, even water resistance! It's just a shame that it's still such an exclusive item… And what's such an internal screen even for, you ask? For games, or for watching movies?
Well, honestly, with its proportions, it doesn't work sensationally for movies, but I always open it when I have something a bit more serious to do on my smartphone. Working in two apps at once, writing a note, replying to a longer email, or larger online shopping that requires that bigger, “non-smartphone” internet – here, the Honor shines.
Fear of change? Honor might convince skeptics
And I know that people are always afraid of change, afraid of what's new. There are also many voices about foldables saying that they break, that they are unnecessary, that no normal person would use them. But when you get the chance – check it out! I guarantee you'll stop saying that smartphones aren't changing for the better, and that foldables are being forced upon us. If only they weren't getting more expensive…
