Given the inevitable evolution to foldable devices, I’d love to see the Nothing Fold (1) released sooner rather than later.

Here’s a recent leak of the Pixel fold:

I feel the Nothing Fold (1) could capitalise on the design aesthetic to produce a really desirable device. Obviously a lot of work would be within the software (a prime example being the Surface Duo) but given the changes from Android 12L it seems like the right time to implement.

In terms of dimensions, I imagine a Fold (1) being most useful with the dimensions of two Phone (1) devices next to each other. This would form a single Phone (1) when folded back on itself via the hinge (similar to the surface duo range). I’d happily take the lower cost benefit with the requirement to fold the device over to use single screen mode, rather than having a third single screen on the front of the device. This would also tie back to the aesthetic look of the device whereby it would fold completely flat. This is contingent on Nothing also ensuring the camera module sits completely flush, but given the reasoning (and results) of the existing camera module on the Phone (1) I believe this is achievable.

See below, the original Surface Duo completely folded to form single screen mode:

Due to the fact Nothing doesn’t currently produce a tablet, they aren’t faced with the burden Apple has of potentially cannibalising iPad sales when they eventually release a foldable. This puts Nothing in a strong strategic position for releasing a foldable device, allowing them to cater for single screen devices with the “Phone” lineup, and larger devices with the “Fold” lineup.

    Related discussions

    For context, here is how a foldable device without a front screen looks:

    Original Surface Duo

    Interesting post… I just don’t know how popular the folding phone market will be! Also.. isn’t roll-able phone also going to be a thing 🤪?

    I don’t think the screens on foldables are good enough yet. That crease down the middle which looks hideous and the issues that come with having to fold a display in two needs time to mature. Maybe in a generation or they’ll be good enough but ATM these should be considered beta products at best. Of course that’s just my opinion - I’m sure Samsung would disagree.

      Interesting takes.

      I agree with the current generation of foldables, but I do think the technology exists to a good enough standard for the majority of users, me included. Importantly though, I think we’ll start seeing software improvements rolling out thick and fast following Googles Pixel release.

      Personally, I think its inevitable we’ll eventually see all major phone manufacturers releasing foldables. It’ll just be a case of when.

      Ru773LL I don’t think the screens on foldables are good enough yet

      Yeah I agree with this. And it just adds a new aspect of the phone that can break - the hinges on foldables are so fragile at the moment. Plus there’s the pricepoint at the moment - it’s difficult because they’re inherently expensive, but they’ve had to reduce the cost so that they’re still ‘affordable’ (despite being at the top end of the price spectrum) which you can feel in the screen joints.

      That said, if price isn’t an issue, the tech is there already. There are a couple examples of really expensive TVs that use foldable/rollable tech:

      Foldable

      Rollable

          ‏‏‎Chris‏‏‎ I agree it would be a premium product. Reported costs on the Pixel Fold are $1700+

          The hinges on the newer Samsung devices look much stronger and durable than the last generation, and the hinges on the Duo devices have been well received (I know these are a bit different due to it being between two screens rather than under one foldable)

          Cool examples on the technology, I wasn’t even aware of the C SEED M1

            a month later

            First I like to kick this off with the notion that whoever has got a Nothing Phone is amazed by the fact that this phone gets better all the time because the people in the Nothing kitchen care so much about their signature dish. This is amazing! And still I do not own one as I am so tired of bulky devices that are, sorry to say that, never designed in line with current fashion trends other than bulky pants or so. Where do you all put these monster screens? Is such a monster really the kind of elegant technolgoy of 2023? So I really hope Nothing is going to come up with my next phone, especially now that Apple is out of this business. A smart folding Nothing Mini-Max would be a dream….

            I’m all for this, once folding technology has improved a lot more. Would be interesting to see a Glyph background on a folding device 😆

            It would definitely be a good product to pursue for Nothing as there are not too many options out there for foldable. And Nothing could gain some market share fast with a foldable phone IMO.

            https://www.gsmarena.com/results.php3?sFreeText=foldable

            There are literally a few foldable out there, and tech is already at a more than decent quality.

            If we filter out how many are available in Europe or USA. There are literally 5 foldable phones for each market.

            As Chinese brands are mostly sold only in Asia.

            I was thinking of getting the Oppo Find N2, but it’s just too complicated to import it, and with all the fees, vat, customs and shipping I end up almost doubling the original price.

            Completely agree @peterrafael, importing makes it less worthwhile, now seems like the time for Nothing to capitalize.

            I’m all up for a Glyph interface on a foldable @Louis ☕️!

            Unfortunately, for those wanting the ‘Nothing Fold’ it looks like we may be in a long wait. Nothing just dropped this:

            Carl states it’ll be at least 2 years before we see one. 🙃

              ryanjesmith

              In 2 years I’m pretty sure Apple will also release its first foldable iPhone. As you know Apple is last when implementing new tech, as they always wait until it’s perfect. And foldable phones as Carl just said in that video are getting already very good, including software and hardware too.

                7 months later
                10 months later

                The popularity of foldable phones is increasing and most companies are picking up on this trend. I know that foldable phones are quite expensive but imagine if nothing made their version. It would be amazing 😮

                Post what you think and if you would be interested in such a device.

                Thanks

                Merged 1 post from Who would like to see Nothing fold?.

                As an avid Galaxy Fold user, I’d sure love seeing Nothing’s take on a foldable phone. However I can fully understand they are skipping this technology for now:

                It is expensive and we’ve already seen sort of a negative outrage with the pricing of the Phone (2), now imagine there’d be a Nothing Fold which costs twice as much. Next materials still don’t seem to be reliable enough, even though it seems Samsung made decent progress with their Fold 5, long term reliability keeps being my biggest concern with foldable devices.

                2 months later

                vovan-v Exactly, the amount of Money required for the R & D for building a Fold Phone from scratch is a Huge Task to take. Instead the same money could be used for the development of UI and Camera.

                Personally I don’t prefer foldable as it is a worse Phone and even worse tablet better buy a great phone and tablet separately for the same price.

                    Rajesh_Kannan i agree with you, fold phones not comfortable to use and for now they weight a lot.

                      6 months later

                      Did any of you notice the slit line separating the top and bottom parts of the Phone (3a)? Could that separation be a hint toward foldable phone designs? If so, kudos to them! Our NOTHING has already started paving the way for future innovations.

                      This might not be the actual reason behind it, but if it is—imagine a Nothing Fold (1). Sounds awesome to me!