Whether it's the neo-clamshell, foldable or extendable models, the flexible screen is undeniably the big bet of the moment among manufacturers. And it costs an absurd amount: at US$ 1.999, a Galaxy Fold Z2 is worth two iPhones 12 Pro Max (US$ 1.099). Including taxes, a foldable can cost the same as a used car in Brazil. After all, is it worth putting your hand in your pocket? Does the flexible cell phone have any advantage? Is it here to stay? Will spending all that money be like boarding a ship to the future or wasting money on a passing trend?

To understand what there is to gain from a device like this, you need to remember that we are talking about more than one thing. Flexible screens allow for multiple ways to break with current design and usability trends.

The end of the cell phone era

One of the plagues of contemporary cell phone design is the paradox of size. Everyone wants the biggest screen possible when using apps or viewing content. And in general, as seen with the iPhone 12 line, the more premium the model, the bigger the screen. But luxury becomes poverty when you try to find space for your proud cell phone in your pants pocket.

This is solved by the return of the clamshell. On a flip phone, a large screen still fits in your pocket when folded. And this has the advantage not only of a certain retro charm of someone who was going to a White Stripes concert in 2004, but also of practicality. The main camera, more powerful than the selfie camera, can be used on the front and back, regardless of whether the phone is open or not.

In contrast to the neo-clamshell, the foldable is the normal size, but its screen, opening vertically, becomes two. And the impact can be on usability. The phone can be used with different screens for different functions, such as watching a video on one and using media controls or comments on the other. Or working with the phone. This multitasking profile can also facilitate access to simple but essential functions, such as a calculator, calendar, email, etc. Or the two screens can be used at once, making your phone become a mini-tablet.

The future may yet be yet to come

The foldable phone is still a large phone even when closed. And the clamshell phone is still large when you hold it to your ear. That's why the Holy Grail, and possibly the final form of flexible phones, are the extendable (or "rollable") phones. With them, you can have a phone of any size you want. Tiny in your pocket, medium for talking, giant for enjoying.

Finally, there's one thing they all have in common: flexibility means your expensive phone won't lose its screen if dropped on the sidewalk, leaving you to spend half the price on a new one.

Companies like Huawei, Xiaomi, Oppo, the Chinese company ZTE and Google itself have already positioned themselves 'in line' to launch foldable devices for 2021. For now, the only one that already has a set launch date is LG's foldable cell phone, scheduled for May this year. Samsung, which, in terms of flexible cell phones, has already taken the lead with its Z Flip and Z Fold, has already signaled that it will launch the Galaxy Z Fold 3 in the third quarter of 2021 and the Apple makes plans to launch its flexible model in 2022.

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