# Foldables Excel in Many Aspects, Except the Most Crucial
Foldable smartphones have emerged as a thrilling development in the mobile technology scene over recent years. These gadgets uniquely blend portability with functionality, merging the compact nature of a smartphone with the spacious screen of a tablet. Nevertheless, despite their numerous benefits, foldables lag in one essential aspect: **cost**.
## The Attraction of Foldables
Foldable smartphones, for instance, the **Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6**, **OnePlus Open**, and **Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold**, have made remarkable advances in performance and user-friendliness. These devices are fueled by high-end processors like the **Snapdragon 8 Gen 3** and **Tensor G4**, ensuring they can easily manage even the most demanding tasks. Their capability to alternate between a standard phone display and a larger tablet-esque screen makes them exceptionally versatile, particularly for multitasking and media use.
### Performance and Flexibility
In terms of performance capability, foldables are tough to surpass. The **Galaxy Z Fold 6**, for instance, is equipped with the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, delivering rapid speeds and smooth multitasking. Likewise, the **OnePlus Open** and **Pixel 9 Pro Fold** also deliver excellent performance, powered respectively by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 and Tensor G4.
Foldables excel in providing a tablet-like experience within a smaller size. The **Galaxy Z Fold 6** features a 7.6-inch display, while the **Vivo X Fold 3 Pro** offers an even larger 8.03-inch screen. This makes foldables perfect for users desiring a dual-purpose device: a phone for daily tasks and a tablet for gaming, video viewing, or multitasking.
### Software Improvements
Samsung, Google, and OnePlus have invested considerable resources in refining the software experience for foldable devices. Features such as **Samsung’s DeX Mode** allow users to convert their foldable into a desktop-like environment when linked to an external screen. Although this capability is more seamlessly realized on Samsung’s tablets, it remains a beneficial addition to foldable phones.
Google’s **Android 15** has also brought enhancements in multitasking, allowing users to operate several apps at the same time in free-floating windows. This feature is especially handy on foldables, where the expanded display can comfortably accommodate multiple apps.
## The Tablet Challenge
Even though foldables provide significant convenience, they haven’t completely taken the place of conventional tablets. Tablets continue to have their relevance, particularly for tasks that demand a larger screen or stylus compatibility. For instance, the **Lenovo Legion Y700** and **RedMagic Nova Gaming Tablet** deliver top-tier performance in a more traditional tablet format, featuring screens ranging from 8.8 to 10.9 inches.
One area where tablets maintain an edge is in **stylus compatibility**. While devices like the Galaxy Z Fold 6 support the **S Pen**, the crease at the center of the foldable display can pose challenges while drawing or writing. In contrast, tablets provide a flat and uninterrupted surface, making them more suitable for precision tasks like note-taking or digital illustration.
## The Pricing Dilemma
Despite all the benefits that foldables bring, they come with a notable drawback: **cost**. The **Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6** begins at an astounding $1,899 for the base version with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. If you opt for the 512GB version, expect to pay over $2,000. This does not even include the price of accessories such as the S Pen or a protective cover.
Conversely, you can obtain the **Lenovo Legion Y700** for about $600, and even with added accessories like a stylus and gaming controller, the total cost remains around $760. This is less than half the price of a Galaxy Z Fold 6. Even the **RedMagic Nova Gaming Tablet**, featuring a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor and a 10.9-inch screen, is priced significantly lower than most foldables.
### Is the Price Justified?
The steep cost of foldables can be somewhat justified by their adaptability. After all, you’re effectively getting two devices in one: a smartphone and a tablet. Nonetheless, for a large number of consumers, the price remains a significant obstacle. When it’s possible to acquire a high-performance tablet for a small fraction of the foldable’s cost, it’s challenging to rationalize spending nearly $2,000 on a device that may not completely replace your tablet.
## The Future of Foldables
As foldable technology advances, we might witness a drop in prices, rendering these devices more affordable for a broader audience. The impending **holiday shopping season** could bring substantial discounts on
