Google's New Foldable Smartphone Reviewed By a YouTube ...
Well, I watched the videos and linked articles and it looks nice, at least at first glance, that Google published all the manuals and how-tos in sync with releasing the product. Not that I care a lot about such a foldable phone. Dumb phones are fine with me. I spent enough time on computers to not want to be tethered 24/7 when I am not working. Bring a laptop if you plan to answer any emergencies when away from work for extended periods of time.
Specific Reviews and Thoughts
If you're talking about the #TeamPixel stuff that came up a few weeks ago - those aren't your average reviewers. They're very specific people that are basically marketing partners. Everyday YouTube reviewers are NOT subject to the nonsense you're trying to spread. Source
I was kinda interested, but it doesn't even have the Pro cameras. And this year there was no camera upgrade anyway, so even the P9 Pro doesn't do anything more than my P8 Pro. If they had put the fancy new Sony sensor in the ultrawide as well I might have been tempted - it's great for walking videos, but the older sensor is too noisy in low light.
Concerns and Considerations
Judging from the video, if you open the phone flat, then keep opening it to about 270 degrees, all the internals become pretty easy to access. Reversing the process, however, appears to be the problem. I'm guessing there's some sort of an entropy issue. The device is rated IP68 yet the Sim tray is rated at IPx8. At least it has a SIM tray.
Yeah, I noticed that as well, I guess removable batteries are out of trend for good now although but it seems pretty easy to swap according to the videos I watched. Easily swappable USB connectors module is nice too, you wouldn't believe how careful I am with those nowadays.
User Experience and Feedback
My wife finally gave up on her foldable Samsung. She loves the form factor - "smart" phones are all so tall now, that having it fold to fit in a little purse or waist pack is awesome - but it just eats screens. The screen just disintegrates at the fold. From these reviews, it doesn't sound like Google has solved this either. Wake me up when the vertical crease in the middle of the screen is no longer visible. Yes, it's a pet peeve, but at $1800, you better provide a PERFECT screen, or you're not gonna get my money.
All that said, one of my biggest problems with foldables is the damn crease on the display. Now that might be because I'm a stickler for a proper display, and some others might not care.
Final Thoughts
So apparently the foldable phone crowd is willing to put up with screens that can be damaged by a fingernail. I've owned 6 different foldable devices over the last 4+ years and have never damaged a single one with a fingernail (or anything else, for that matter). Turns out, I don't use my fingernail to interact with my phone.
Sources: Fake Python Coding Tests Installed Malicious Software Packages From North Korea, $50M In Counterfeit Vintage Consoles and Videogames Seized From Italian Crime Ring
