I also can’t deal with the …. Texture? Of the screen. I want that screen to be hard hard hard. And a foldable… can’t be.

I don't really get the ones that are tablet sized but fold down to phone size, but I do love my regular sized phone that folds in half.

It fits in all my pockets, it's easier to carry in my hands, the folding in half is great for using the flashlight and the camera because you can be hands free, and while you could have this on a non folding phone I do really like the half screen on the back.

I did break mine eventually after a year, but that is honestly pretty par for the course for me - and it was fixable. In its defence I am officially clutzy and drop things regularly, and also it fell out of my pocket at one point and got driven over by an SUV (and it still worked for another month, I was impressed. I dropped it one last time a month later and the screen detached at the fold and the hinge went askew).

Something that fits the pocket like a phone, with a larger screen you can read a book on is something very enticing.

But those things can't do either, and as you said, are expensive and unreliable.

Cause I want a phone for pocket fit, but I want the screen size of a tablet.

I like being able to open it up and read comics or watch videos, but still have it conveniently usable as a regular phone. I had one for a few years that I kept in my pocket daily in a very physically demanding job and never had any problems with the fragility. Only reason I got rid of it was because I'm done having Google hoovering up everything on my phone

For book-styles: mostly, it's not having to charge, carry and sync two separate devices. It's a lot nicer to type on 2-handed than a bar-style phone, especially for those of us with fat fingers, the inner screen is much better for content and games. Outer screen's aspect ratio matters little as it is mostly for quick things anyway Yes, the flexible screen is a little fragile, but is fairly well protected when folded - moreso than a naked tablet. I've shattered the outer screen of my fold and the inner was fine.

I tried carrying a cellular iPad Mini as a phone for a while but kept having to find coats and pants with giant pockets - and I cracked two of them.

I've found that a good grip is essential to ease of use on folds though (and I drop it much less).

The phone-to-square ones seem to be most popular with those with pocket space problems, as they fit neatly into small pockets and are less bulk to hang from a lanyard, belt clip etc when you have no pockets.

They are much more durable than you think. The hinge absorbs impacts really well so they are much more likely to survive falls, the inner screen scratches easily but since it is closed when not in use thats not really a concern. I do wish mine didnt have the outer screen since I barely use it, but I find the larger screen is really useful in general.

Because I can't put a tablet in my pocket. Front screen is fine, inner screen is fine, big enough to be a significant improvement. Fragility isn't an issue if you're not needlessly rough with it.