Foldables outperform gaming phones, here’s why

Source: Pocketnow, Samsung

Gaming phones are a gimmick – at least that’s what I thought before I got the . took nubia REDMAGIC 7 Pro for a round. They are great devices for power users and hardcore gamers, but they fail to excite me and grab my attention. They are a good representation of what is possible when you push current technology to its limits, but they are easily predictable.

Every year OEMs focus on improving thermals, and the new hardware usually includes the latest and most powerful SoC on the market. Add in a few gaming features and RGB lighting and seemingly you have the perfect product to market as a gaming smartphone. They are great for some people, but they could be better.

Don’t get me wrong, I love innovation, and I like to play games on dedicated gaming hardware, as they tend to provide sustained performance over hours of gaming sessions. The experience and performance is unmatched compared to traditional high-end flagship phones. However, they are not as exciting as they used to be.

Let’s take a look at a promising device that failed horribly. The Sony Ericcson Xperia PLAY. It had a unique form factor and special game controls. Though many thought it was a gimmick, it took over the PSP Go and showed great promise. It stood out, even though it lacked fancy RGB lighting, no sight of a flagship SoC, and high-refresh-rate displays. It was ahead of its time, but I still believe it could have been a success – if re-released a few years later.

Let’s take a look at the more recent ASUS ROG Phone 6 “† It includes the latest and greatest chipset from Qualcomm, it has the fastest refresh rate on the market and there are great thermal and gaming-focused features. Still, I don’t care because it has the traditional form factor.

Source: Pocketnow | Original image by Asus

You could argue that it’s acceptable and convenient – as there’s no point reinventing the wheel – when the current design and form factor work as expected. Still, there are multiple ways these devices can be more fun and better suited to gamers. For example, we could have foldable gaming devices.

Here’s Why Foldable Gaming Smartphones Make So Much Sense

I used the Galaxy Z Fold 3 since the end of August 2021, and while I have enjoyed my experience with the nubia REDMAGIC 7 Pro, I enjoyed playing games on the Fold more. The reason is simple, the performance was good enough not to slow down a 2-hour Diablo session, and the larger screen was much more satisfying. I also covered less of the screen due to its size.

Placing the speakers in landscape orientation meant I didn’t block the stereo speakers on either side, making for a more satisfying session as I often prefer gaming with stereo speakers. However, I know that the 3.5mm headphone jack is still crucial for many gamers, but that’s something you can quickly fix with a dongle, or wireless headphones and earbuds. If you are interested, we have an excellent list of the best wireless earbuds†

Regardless of the price, if given the option to choose between a gaming smartphone or a foldable one, I would choose the foldable. Foldable phones are heavier and much larger, but they offer more out-of-the-box, leaving you wanting to do more. Gaming phones are specialized and focus too much on gaming, and while I understand there is a market for it, they should do more than that. They need to stand out more. RGB, shoulder triggers and fan controls may appeal to a younger crowd and those who want more power, but that’s not enough.

Performance can last longer on gaming phones due to their thermal design and physical fan, but let’s imagine a foldable gaming smartphone. Maybe something similar to the OPPO Find Nbecause it has a more user-friendly and larger external display.

When closed, the phone would act like… you guessed it, a traditional smartphone. It would be excellent for using social media, browsing the web and doing things you usually do on a smartphone. Once unfolded, the user may be prompted to enable Game Mode, which will allow the shoulder buttons on the back of the device. The larger screen would provide more screen space to enjoy graphics-intensive titles, and as a result it would be more immersive and entertaining. The larger footprint can also help disperse the heat, giving it better performance over a longer period of time.

Many gaming phones lack water protection of any kind, but Samsung proved it can with the Z Fold 3. Even if these foldable gaming devices didn’t have an IP rating, they could be more enjoyable for long gaming sessions and the ultimate in performance and performance. entertainment experience. They are smaller and more compact than tablets, and the technology is already there to make them a viable product.

As the price of foldable phones slowly falls, they will become more accessible and affordable for many more people. I hope that in the coming years there will be a special foldable gaming smartphone, which offers a more mesmerizing and unique experience.

Do you think foldable gaming smartphones would provide a better gaming experience compared to traditional smartphone designs? Let us know in the comments!