DECEMBER 2019 PCWorld 97But while I’ll always remember my RAZR
with fondness, I’m not looking for another one.
The flip phone had its day and its purpose, but
an all-screen phone that unfolds the same way
doesn’t make sense. I may have issues with the
Galaxy Fold, but at least I can understand the
point. Its tall-concept sibling, not so much.
If the physical size is confusing, think
about the apps. It’s hard enough to get
Android developers to format their apps
properly for notches and 19:8 displays. Now
Samsung and Essential expect thousands of
developers to dramatically rethink their user
interfaces for products that will likely be
flashes in the pan (or just plain panned).
Assuming it runs a version of the same
Android we know now—which seems likely
given Samsung’s full-court One UI press—apps
will need to be completely retooled lest they look
ridiculous. The current versions of apps like Maps
or Mail will be nearly impossible to use, and
typing will be a nightmare. I don’t even want to
think about games.THE FUTURE ISN’T TALL
It’s no secret that we’re at something of a
crossroads when it comes to smartphones. For
the better part of a decade, phones have been
getting bigger, with more screen, fewer
buttons, and less bezel, culminating in 6-inch-
plus handsets that pick up fingerprints as fast as
they speed through tasks.
But as the new decade approaches, the way
forward for smartphones is less certain than ever.
There very well may be a new form factor on the
horizon that changes everything, like the iPhone
did. But we’re
probably
going to have
to suffer
through a few
stopgap
designs before
someone
nails it.
In 2020,
that may be the
ultra-tall
phone. Don’t
be surprised if
it’s gone by
The new Galaxy Fold design (right) doesn’t make as much sense as this year’s model (left). 2021.