A tale of two folds

PLUS: Make the PS5 a computer again.

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This week we saw the reveal of two folding phones on opposing sides of the spectrum. First, the Light Flip—the next dumb phone from Brooklyn-based Light Phone, which is designed to help you step away from the smartphone-attention economy. There is no screen on the front of this flip phone, just a notification LED; the OLED inner screen, when flipped open, offers basic utilities like maps, messaging, and music playback (with more third-party “tools” on the way). Notably, no AI. But you get modern amenities such as 5G, USB-C, a headphone jack, and a removable battery.


Then there’s Samsung and its flashy Galaxy Unpacked event, which saw the debut of three new folding smartphones, most important of which is the Galaxy Z Fold8, which has a brand-new passport-like shape. It’s shorter, wider, and better designed for consuming content. As Samsung’s Drew Blackard says, 80 percent of consumers watch video on their smartphones—not a TV—and the Fold8 is built specifically for the task.


The Light Flip costs $299 and isn’t available until next April, whereas the Fold8 starts at $1,900 and ships in August. It just might be proof that the future is folding, no matter which extreme you pick.

Julian Chokkattu

Senior Gear Editor

All products featured on WIRED are independently selected by our editors. However, we may receive compensation from retailers and/or from purchases of products through these links.

THIS WEEK'S PICKS

The Light Flip Is the Stylish Dumb Flip Phone of Your Dreams

 

By Julian Chokkattu

 

A flip phone with 5G, USB-C, a headphone jack, and a removable battery? Say it ain’t so.

Why Samsung Gave Its Next Folding Phone a New Shape

 

By Julian Chokkattu

 

People spend hours watching videos on their smartphones. The wider, shorter, and lighter Galaxy Z Fold8 caters to exactly that.

The Galaxy Card Is Samsung’s Answer to the Apple Card

 

By Julian Chokkattu

 

Directly added to your Samsung Wallet account, it’s yet another cash-back credit card, this time tailored for Samsung stans.

HOW TO

How to Prevent Health Damage from Wildfire Smoke

 

Last week, New York City smelled like one giant campfire. Normally, that scent brings back great memories of summers past, but I’d be lying if I said I was able to find any pleasure in it this time around. It’s hard to enjoy the nostalgic scent while constantly checking the air quality level on my weather app against the backdrop of an orange, hazy sky. Of course, the knowledge that what I was smelling wasn’t an intentional fire built on a cool July evening but instead wildfire smoke from Canada, made enjoyment of the familiar smell all the more difficult. Since the future likely holds more apocalyptic-looking skies, read our guide to protecting yourself from wildfire smoke.—writes Elana Klein.

The Best Privacy-First Alternatives to Home Security Cameras

 

By Simon Hill

 

If you prefer not to have cameras in and around your home, there are other, more private security devices worth considering.

Halliday’s New Smart Glasses Skip the Camera

 

By Boone Ashworth

 

Halliday’s G2 glasses can listen to and summarize your workplace meetings—with no video involved.

An Ebike Company Was Sued for Misleading Info on Safety. It Points to a Big Problem

 

By Aarian Marshall

 

Several Chinese businesses associated with the ebike brand Aipas settled a lawsuit with Amazon and the safety certification company UL in July.

Is the All-New Range Rover GT Stepping on Jaguar’s Tail?

 

By Jeremy White

 

It’s “the most car-like Range Rover ever created,” but will this all-electric grand tourer spoil Jaguar’s Type 01 party?

XPeng’s New ‘Budget’ EV Looks Like the Ferrari Luce

 

By Jeremy White

 

The electric L03 is looking to punch above its weight in style and tech as it launches in 60 countries worldwide.

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