Had a fold 3 since launch 3 years ago. It's the best phone I've ever used. Software is brilliant and clearly a focus for samsung. The big inner screen is amazing for work and games as well as browsing. Well worth it.

The crease is just a non-issue. People see it from an angle and they think it looks bad and that it would bother them, but i assure you, when you are using the phone yourself and its facing you, like all phones that you are currently interacting with are facing you, you cannot see it. After using this phone for 3 years, i can honestly say i forget its even there.

Anyone complaining about the crease has almost definitely never used one of these phones. I hear the complaint and i can only drawn that conclusion. Its like saying you dont like a certain food that you have never tasted.

There are downsides to the fold phone that the flips wont have. Like the fold 3 is a bit heavier than most normal phones and it has sometimes been an issue when using my phone lying down somewhere as it can be cumbersome to hold up at arms length.

Also the strange aspect ratio means that video is too small to play on the outer screen and doesnt fill the inner screen. You get black boxes at the top and bottom, so video is always a little bit smaller than the inner screen. This doesnt affect games, it seems that 99% of games support the aspect ratio and often give you some level of advantage.

This would not be true on the flip phones as they have a normal screen size when open.

Incidentally, next week i am buying the fold 6 and locking in for another 3 years on a contact. If that is any endorsement.

Edit: reading throught the comments here i noticed a consistent pattern.

Those who have the folding phones cant recommend them enough and say they are the best phones they ever bought.

Those that dont have one but have a friend that has one are saying dont get one as they look bad.

(Of course there are some exceptions on both sides but a quick mental tally, and it seems that what im saying is true)

If you want to weigh in, then maybe own or have owned one before deciding they are good or bad. Your friend might disagree with your concerns about their phone.