Until 2017, every year I 'jumped' from iOS to Android and back and at the same time every time I got incredible pleasure, as if from something radically new. Either the devices used to develop more intensively, or I have become more conservative over the past couple of years, but since 2017 my main devices were only iPhone – 7, 7 Plus, X and, more recently, 11. At the same time none Android – the device could not offer me anything interesting that would motivate me to change the platform. However, this year there are still curious models on the other side of the barricades, and today I propose to talk about them.
Samsung Galaxy Fold – due to the new form factor
Finally, devices from the category of 'not like everyone else' begin to appear on the smartphone market. The problem is that if you now put 10 flagships on the table with the display turned off, then few people will be able to determine not only the model, but even the brand. But the Samsung Galaxy Fold is finally something new.
In my opinion, this particular smartphone, despite all its problems stretching out for six months, is the most interesting in 2019. Unfortunately, I didn't have the opportunity to try the device live, but even without this experience I have a great interest in it.
And the point here is that with the Galaxy Fold you get a completely different 'experience' – that is, what we geeks used to love our every new smartphone for. Before, buying a new product, you could discover a whole new world, and now, even changing iOS to Android, you get, in fact, all the same – the same applications, the same interface logic and plus or minus the same capabilities. And with the Galaxy Fold, that new feeling returns.
And I'm very curious how the developers Android, OneUI and third-party applications will run their interfaces for two displays, how they will modify them, how convenient it will be to use a smartphone in certain scenarios, and where all this will lead at a distance in 2-3 years. Yes, I'm interested in how this whole story will develop, and I would like to be a part of this innovation.
If I now had a free 160 thousand rubles for a smartphone, I would gladly plunge into this brave new world. But so far we have to watch this progress from the outside.
Vivo Nex 3 – because of the cool design and good camera
Unlike the Samsung Galaxy Fold, I managed to use this device for several days. And, according to first impressions, this is the most interesting 'Chinese' in 2019. The review of this device is prepared for you by Roman Belykh, and here I will briefly share what pleasantly surprised me about him.
The first thing that impressed me was the most bezelless and curved display on both sides. Moreover, it is bent so much that it practically does not interfere with everyday use. The only inconvenience is associated with the volume control touch keys – you have to aim at them for too long. But I liked watching the video on it so much that I am ready to compromise and forgive this inconvenience.
The second pleasant moment is a very good system of three cameras (wide-angle, ultra-wide-angle and telephoto), which can take high-quality pictures both day and night (there is a night mode), and with blur, and even macro.
The third bonus bonus is the presence of a 3.5 mm jack and a dedicated audio chip with an incomprehensible name AK4377A. It seems that we began to forget what high-quality wired sound is, but Vivo decided to remind us. Who would have told me a couple of years ago that I would be surprised at the minijack in the flagship of 2019 …
As for the claims, most of them are only for the proprietary shell FuntouchOS. First, for some reason, the quick switches were moved from the notification curtain to a separate element, which is called by swiping from the bottom up. Secondly, there are too many screens with widgets in the shell. Why complicate things so much, I don't understand: there is a screen with widgets on the desktop to the left of the main one, there is another smart Jovi screen, and a screen with some shortcuts is in the panel with switches.
As for the rest, the device evokes a lot of pleasant emotions for me and the interest of others. The only thing that scares me and all those to whom I showed this device is the price of 60 thousand rubles. On the one hand, it is quite normal for a modern flagship based on Snapdragon 855+ with a very good camera and cool design. On the other hand, we have before us a 'Chinese' with not the most famous name on the market. In general, I will study this device in more detail.
Moto RAZR 2019 – because I didn't buy it in the 00s
In the 2000s, for various reasons, I could not buy two devices from the list of those that I really wanted. They were Siemens SX1 and Motorola RAZR V3. And if the reincarnation of the first is unlikely to ever happen, then the modernized second should be presented on November 13th.
Not much is known about this device yet. For example, here are images from the patent application that show an example design of the device, as well as fan-made renders based on them.
And here is the official video teaser that the company attached to the letter of invitation for journalists.
According to rumors, the Moto RAZR 2019 will receive not the most top-end specifications: a 6.2-inch flexible display, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 710 chipset, a 2,730 mAh battery, 4-6 GB of RAM and 64-128 GB of internal storage. However, all this is for the sake of a lower price tag than the Samsung Galaxy Fold and Huawei Mate X – $ 1500.
We'll find out what Moto did in the end in November, but if these rumors and design are confirmed, then the device will definitely be interesting to me. Moreover, I think that such a form factor has every chance of bringing back the popularity of clamshell phones when prices for such outlandish devices settle down.
Conclusion
The Samsung Galaxy Fold and Vivo Nex 3 already on sale, as well as the Moto RAZR 2019 announced in November, are the smartphones that I would make my main devices for the next six months or a year. And Vivo Nex 3 is a stretch, because I feel that there is a catch somewhere and I have yet to find it.
What would you exchange your iPhone for? And if you don't have it, then tell me, what would you buy with an unlimited budget?