Pixel 11 Pro Fold feels like the end of an era • Hacker News Board

Re: Pixel 11 Pro Fold feels like the end of an era

#251

Post by rumori » Thu, Aug 20, 2026, 5:49 PM UTC

macNchz wrote: post #200

harrouet wrote: post #104

I remain an irreductible fan of the one-hand theory, and therefore stick with an iPhone 13 mini. I might be late at the folding-phone revolution. Alas it seems we won't see any such phone that fits in a pant's pocket and that can be operated single-handedly. I am afraid that the 13 mini is the last of its kind. Yet many reports of people dropping their gigantic phones. Maybe that's a business model after all.

I broke my 12 Mini, replaced it with a 17, then went so far as to return the 17 and buy a used 13 Mini. It was totally annoying to me to not be able to operate the phone with one hand without feeling like I was about to drop it. I kept the 17 for most of the return window thinking I’d get used to it, but I just kept finding more situations where it bothered me. Battery life on the mini is not amazing, but a slim mags…

How long did you use the new phone for? I was a mini advocate for a very long time, then changed to a 17 pro for work, it took me around solid 2 months to get used to it. Now the mini feels comically small. iOS26 did a lot to eliminate the need to reach for the top in most places, but there’s still a lot to improve.

Edit: as others have pointed out it’s extremely hard to go back to the lightning connector too.

Re: Pixel 11 Pro Fold feels like the end of an era

#252

Post by spawrks » Thu, Aug 20, 2026, 5:50 PM UTC

harrouet wrote: post #104

I remain an irreductible fan of the one-hand theory, and therefore stick with an iPhone 13 mini. I might be late at the folding-phone revolution. Alas it seems we won't see any such phone that fits in a pant's pocket and that can be operated single-handedly. I am afraid that the 13 mini is the last of its kind. Yet many reports of people dropping their gigantic phones. Maybe that's a business model after all.

Maybe they're running out of ideas. I'm also a fan of one hand theory, and this seems cyclic. Back in the day phone manufacturers also tried to expand this concept, so maybe it won't be long before they try to make the back of the phone be a screen again too, then realize people were fine with that. Not knocking a foldable if you like it just one hand preferred club representing here ;)

Re: Pixel 11 Pro Fold feels like the end of an era

#253

Post by m463 » Thu, Aug 20, 2026, 6:12 PM UTC

harrouet wrote: post #104

I remain an irreductible fan of the one-hand theory, and therefore stick with an iPhone 13 mini. I might be late at the folding-phone revolution. Alas it seems we won't see any such phone that fits in a pant's pocket and that can be operated single-handedly. I am afraid that the 13 mini is the last of its kind. Yet many reports of people dropping their gigantic phones. Maybe that's a business model after all.

I think of the mini is like firefly, cancelled prematurely.

Apple cancelled it because sales weren't that strong, but I wonder if they can now collect enough data to see they are kept in use longer? (Or are all iphones passed down, forever)

Re: Pixel 11 Pro Fold feels like the end of an era

#254

Post by ksala_ » Thu, Aug 20, 2026, 6:55 PM UTC

the__alchemist wrote: post #211

harrouet wrote: post #104

I remain an irreductible fan of the one-hand theory, and therefore stick with an iPhone 13 mini. I might be late at the folding-phone revolution. Alas it seems we won't see any such phone that fits in a pant's pocket and that can be operated single-handedly. I am afraid that the 13 mini is the last of its kind. Yet many reports of people dropping their gigantic phones. Maybe that's a business model after all.

I'm with you brother/sister. It is a tragedy that even with the diaspora of Android makers and models, we can't get anything like it. I hung onto my Pixel 4 for years; bought a new Pixel 4 after too many screen cracks and battery deterioration; used that until it stopped working for mobile payments (security reasons or something), then finally caved and bought a 10. I don't need a Pixel. An iPhone would be fine. Or a…

The Pixel 4 is basically the same size as a standard iPhone (Pixel 4: 147.1 x 68.8 x 8.2 mm, iPhone 17: 149.6 x 71.5 x 7.95 mm, iPhone 17e: 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.8 mm).

I don't think most people realize that. The iPhone mini was essentially a category on it's own (iPhone mini 13: 131.5 x 64.2 x 7.65 mm)