Weekly poll: is the Oppo Find N the best foldable yet?

19 December 2021
It occupies a niche of its own and it scores a couple of design wins thanks to its hinge. But it is not without its flaws.

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  • Anonymous
  • 4wq
  • 19 Dec 2021

They did good, but I prefer the clamshell foldables

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    • AnonD-762416
    • Sec
    • 19 Dec 2021

    cozxta, 19 Dec 2021That's how it works, Samsung is a hardware manufacture... moreRead other replies. There are plenty of reasons for the crease. This Oppo looks good on paper, the Samsung phones are in their third generation with millions sold. They obviously prioritize longevity of the device over hands-on reviews.

      • J
      • JLC
      • pHQ
      • 19 Dec 2021

      Samsung are not stupid. For sure they tried also the waterdrop hinge. But there are at least two main reasons why Samsung did not go for the waterdrop hinge.

      The first one is IPX8 rating. The best way to understand the difficulty with the waterdrop hinge is looking at Razer’s hinge/crease area. In case of Fold 3 you have 2 individual phones with no moving parts (which could be sealed as any ordinary slab phone) and a relatively small area with a moveable display. I think Samsung shocked the competition with IPX8 and I expect Huawei, Xiaomi and Oppo to go for the same kind of hinge/crease should they ever plan to go for IPX8. A missing IPX8 rating is just a no go for such an expensive phone.

      The second one is the S Pen. Unlike the UTG which is foldable, the digitizer isn’t. Samsung has created a digitizer which consist of 2 separated non-foldable digitizers plus algorithms to calculate the S Pen position in the crease area without the digitizer. Achieving this with the waterdrop hinge with a relatively big crease area would probably have been extremely difficult.

        Many classic sitcoms I might watch on Spectrum TV app or on Pluto TV and many classic video games up to the 6th generation had the classic 4:3 aspect ratio. Since this Find N is nearly a rounded square when opened, it's perfect for 1980s and 1990s classic shows and video games.

        Then if you want to watch more content with a widescreen ratio, the outer display or putting it in Flex is perfect for that. The Fold series now looks silly with it's very narrow outer display and when watching stuff in Flex mode. Find N is by far better for media consumption.

        Oppo would win Western audience hearts if they can bring it over here and price it at only $999. It would destroy the Fold 3 and Flip 3 in sales and Oppo would be the 3rd most popular OEM in the United States in a couple of years. America needs a third wheel and Oppo is it. Not Google since the Pixel 6 / 6 Pro really isn't any thing new.

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          • Dan
          • NU{
          • 19 Dec 2021

          joe nodden, 19 Dec 2021Not with that pointless hole in the inner display. What solution could you have offered balancing pricing and tech constraints? And is the hole really obtrusive? Because I don't think so.

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            • Anonymous
            • 70d
            • 19 Dec 2021

            Anonymous, 19 Dec 2021The display size is too small for me. All those complicated... moreDo you understand aspect ratios?

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              • Anonymous
              • S6p
              • 19 Dec 2021

              It is just too small for me but for people with small hands it could be ok.

              Good first try and this could come to west with Oneplus branding.

              I am waiting for what Honor and Xiaomi are going to launch.

                My answer is, does it still use Color OS?

                  Not with that pointless hole in the inner display.

                    Seems a very good foldable, but only for China. If I would get a foldable, it would be a clamshell fold however.

                      The biggest turn-off for me with the Oppo Find N's hardware is its weight. It's 275g while the Fold 3 is 271g. I owned the PS Vita phat (Wi-Fi only) and slim. The slim's 41g less weight makes a huge difference. Sold the phat as my slim had better battery life, normal charging standard, and way more comfortable to hold in long play sessions.

                      I can tolerate the thickness of the Find N since my clamshells are as thick as it when folded. But they're also nearly 100g less than it. Perhaps it's just something I'll get used to. Took me time to get used to the crease and thickness of the Flip 3. Now it's just second nature. The Find N really isn't a necessity for me. Just have something different to have. Own both a clamshell and a book foldable.

                        Tanji, 19 Dec 2021Tech made with samsung tech inside. Then slap on an oppo so... moreThat's how it works, Samsung is a hardware manufacturer, they manufacture custom hardware on contract for various companies, even Samsung uses sources displays on smartphones from BOE and TCL/Sharp/LG panels on their TVs.
                        You know what's bizarre? Samsung manufacturers the display, and they can't do better with the crease on the inner screen.

                          "The biggest flaw is that right now Oppo seems to have no intention of selling the Find N outside of China. The model proved very popular in the country as it quickly sold out and people are asking for more than MSRP on the resale market."

                          This is correct. The first thing I thought about it is this won't be available outside China 🇨🇳 and it dampened my interest for it. Then I knew scalpers/resellers would take advantage jacking the prices up like their Air Jordans and PlayStation 5.

                          Ben Sin has also mentioned how he still thinks Samsung's software has more polish which I agree. I'm just never sure with any Chinese software like ColorOS. Samsung is already in its 3rd gen with the Fold and had years refining its software on foldables.

                          Ben Sin's video of the Oppo N
                          https://youtu.be/1qmUDEDv814

                          Yet, I still would rather get the Find N over Fold 3. Find N is 25 millimeters shorter than Fold 3 which is a big difference. Only iPhone 13 mini height. When in Flex, Fold 3 offers each half being way too narrow while the Find N is close to perfect like it's a foldable Duo.

                          Next to each other, Fold 3 just looks awkward with its hardware. Way too tall and way too narrow. The outer display is now a joke compared to the Find N. Oppo definitely beat Samsung in hardware here. It's the foldable Duo in an iPhone mini height I always wanted.

                          I do wonder if Michael Fisher changes his mind and starts using the Find N over his Fold 3? I know he isn't crazy about Oppo's software and cameras. No DEX support either. But I know Mike loves a more compact size too. Some Fold 3 owners might make the switch.

                          For my personal taste which is catered to carrying as little as possible with gadgets, Find N is the current GOAT in book form factor. Now the biggest obstacle is getting one from China and for retail.

                            I'm one of the 9% that prefers clamshell foldables.

                            For my personal taste
                            1. Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3
                            2. Motorola Razr 5G
                            3. Oppo Find N
                            4. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3

                            Even though it isn't a foldable display, I might have the Surface Duo 2 over the Fold 3. It's unique enough like an LG Wing which I also would put over the Fold 3.

                            For the book form factor, Oppo nailed it by keeping it short like an iPhone 13 mini, wider outer display, and less visible crease. Find N is on my wishlist. It's just trying to get one will be difficult since scalpers are taking advantage and jacking up the price to the same as the Fold 3.

                            For me, my Flip 3 wins over my Razr 5G even though the Razr is actually better-looking with a way better cover display. Flip 3 wins because of Flex, Snapdragon 888, better cameras, wireless charging, and other more modern specs the Razr and its Snap765G lacks.

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                              • Anonymous
                              • TX{
                              • 19 Dec 2021

                              Anonymous, 19 Dec 2021Any OEMs could easily build their own Android device, but s... moreAny OEM's already have built there Android device. But there are not a single device that is perfect in hardware and software

                                Overall best is still Samsung because of software availability... But in term of hardware, Mate x2 is the best... Oppo is the third best in my book because its better than mi mix fold... Im waiting for Huawei P50 Pocket badly!!!

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                                  • Anonymous
                                  • tZk
                                  • 19 Dec 2021

                                  The display size is too small for me. All those complicated moving parts, extra weight and no IP ratings for a display size of only 7.1". For reference, Oppo's own Find X3 Pro already has a 6.7" display but is much lighter, thinner, has IP ratings and still packing same size battery.

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                                    • Travis999
                                    • StU
                                    • 19 Dec 2021

                                    Certainly the best attempt I've seen so far.
                                    If for sale as wwe, at same price as Samsung, it would probably well out sell Samsungs, just on practicality grounds, they may not be fashionable with "designers" and makers, but old school squarer screen ratios are liked by lots of users, me, I loathe these stupidly skinny ratios, but I watch little but read lots, where as my daughter watches lots, reads little and loves skinny tall phones.

                                      TheLastOracle, 19 Dec 2021It had too many issues. Far from the best foldable yet. Sam... moreI would not say by a huge margin but leading nonetheless. Oppo has to really work on the software front, hardware is subjectively great.

                                        It had too many issues. Far from the best foldable yet. Samsung Fold 3 is leading by a Huge Margin.

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