6 big problems Apple’s folding iPhone won’t solve (from a long-time foldable user)

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Apple is gearing up to launch its first foldable iPhone on September 9, coming years after Android OEMs launched the first foldable phones . Nevertheless, this will be the first folding phone that many people will actually be interested in, let alone buy.

Unfortunately, Android foldable phones have some enduring weaknesses and compromises, and Apple’s first foldable will almost certainly have most of these same issues. So, if you’re an Apple user and you’re buying into the iPhone Ultra hype, maybe keep reading before you pre-order it.

All foldable phones have large folding screens that are mostly made out of plastic. And you can bet your bottom dollar that Apple’s iPhone Ultra will also feature a foldable plastic screen. This often results in excess glare and fingerprint grease, although we’ve seen anti-glare coatings on foldables before. However, this is very bad news for durability .

Folding screens are significantly softer than conventional glass displays, making them more prone to scratches. In fact, Samsung and other manufacturers often warn users that a hard press of a fingernail can damage or dent the folding screen. Seriously.

In other words, Apple’s foldable screen will almost certainly have this same issue. The good news is that virtually all foldable phones have a pre-applied screen protector. It’s therefore possible that lighter scratches won’t actually affect the display itself. But then there’s more bad news.

Another thing worth knowing about inner screens on Android foldables is that they indeed come with pre-applied screen protectors. However, you aren’t supposed to peel this off by yourself.

“If you remove the main screen protective film by yourself or attach a non-official film, it may cause touch abnormalities, screen damage, etc.,” Samsung notes on its support website . “If you need to replace the protective film during use, please visit a service center for assistance.”