Foldable devices are the latest, hottest toys to hit the tech market, with the likes of Samsung and Oppo repackaging the traditional smartphone into a more malleable form.
In line with the sleek Zenbook aesthetic, the new member of the family sports a modest, low-profile design. The all-black body comes free of the bells and whistles, and is accompanied only by the futuristic, minimalistic cut of the Asus logo. In the hand, the Zenbook 17 Fold feels solid to the touch, with no flex observed when pressure is applied. The lid is tightly brought together, making it difficult to lift it up one-handed, while the sides cut a thick figure.
As with any foldable devices, creases will make their presence known. The folding line can be prominent here, especially from certain viewing angles, but fades into the display when you look straight at it. With novelty comes skepticism, however, and herein lies the question of whether the Zenbook 17 Fold’s theoretical prowess can translate into real-world performance.
Genshin Impact, for instance, wasn’t a good match at all, with motion blur and latency being constant bugbears even at the lowest settings. In fact, some non-gaming smartphones are likely to offer a more pleasant experience, which is a little bit of a pity, as the OLED display would certainly bring some life into the visuals.