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Return of Foldable Phones: Design Supremacy or Nostalgia

Return of Foldable Phones: Design Supremacy or Nostalgia
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There was a time when everyone had foldable phones. The rapid evolution of mobile phone technology has made a time less than two decades ago a nostalgic memory for many.

With the rise of smartphones, everybody expected these phones to eventually be phased out and take a spot in museums.

Yet, a surprising comeback is being witnessed by consumers. The return of foldable phones!

Is it perhaps the design supremacy of foldable phones? Or is the nostalgic factor profitable enough for companies to remanufacture (albeit with a design change) them?

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Discover the reason for the increasing popularity of foldable phones.

There are many critical factors that have contributed to the rise of bendable phones. Let us segregate these reasons into either nostalgic factor or design supremacy.

Wider Screen Options of Foldable Phones: Design Supremacy

Flip phones in the 2000s used to have a screen on one end and the keypad on the other. However, newer generation foldable phones are like smartphones with seamlessly connected screens on either side.

Users enjoy a larger, clearer display with a phone slightly bulkier than a regular smartphone. This immersive experience allows consumers to multitask with ease.

Distinct User Experience: Nostalgic Factor

While consumers have had a chance to experience foldable smartphones only recently, R&D has been in progress for a while. Manufacturers have been readily working on creating a clamshell smartphone as a design innovation.

The phone has a distinct look, which creates a unique image of the brand in the eyes of the public. Users enjoy the noticeable attention while flipping their phone. Although newer designs mimic the flipping, it is still different.

Better Durability and Hinge Quality: Design Supremacy

The durability and overall longevity of old phones is what made them popular. Many smartphones cannot compare and require frequent changes within 1– 2 years.

There are more protective layers that protect the body of the phone and minimize damage to the screen. Additionally, smart hinge technology that can withstand multiple folds while blending into the screen extends overall longevity.

Historical Design vs. Modern Foldable Phones: Design Supremacy

Flip phones of today have not much of a design resemblance to yesterday’s phones, apart from the foldability.

This is appropriate for modern foldable phones, not the versions before it. The initial strategy was to develop a better flip phone, like the Motorola Razr.

But soon after, design improvements and iterations evolved to create a completely new concept in smartphone technology.

Conclusion: Design Supremacy Not Nostalgia

While the initial plan may have been to create a clamshell smartphone, multiple technology advances have clearly segregated the two.

The presence of some nostalgic appeal is heavily trumped by the obvious design supremacy.

About the author

Abhishek Pattanaik

Abhishek, as a writer, provides a fresh perspective on an array of topics. He brings his expertise in Economics coupled with a heavy research base to the writing world. He enjoys writing on topics related to sports and finance but ventures into other domains regularly. Frequently spotted at various restaurants, he is an avid consumer of new cuisines.