BQ Enters the Foldable Arena: First Impressions
The foldable smartphone market, long dominated by giants like Samsung, Huawei, and more recently Motorola, Oppo, and Google, just welcomed a surprising new contender: Spanish tech company BQ. Known primarily for its budget-friendly Android devices and educational products in Europe, BQ’s leap into the premium foldable segment is bold. While official specifications, pricing, and a full consumer launch are still pending, controlled hands-on demos offer crucial first impressions of their inaugural foldable device.
The Form Factor: Book-Style Asymmetry
BQ has opted for the now-familiar book-style fold, where the device opens vertically like a compact tome. The immediate standout visual characteristic is its pronounced asymmetry when folded. Unlike competitors striving for near-symmetry (like the Galaxy Z Fold series) or a chunkier square profile (like the Pixel Fold), the BQ foldable features one half significantly thicker than the other when closed. This design choice is immediately noticeable and polarizing. While it potentially accommodates a larger battery or other components in the thicker section, it undeniably impacts pocketability and one-handed comfort in the closed state compared to sleeker rivals. The hinge mechanism feels robust in initial handling, offering smooth, firm action without excessive wobble at the midpoint. It lacks the seamless, dust-resistant certifications boasted by some competitors, raising early questions about long-term durability against particulate ingress – a known foldable vulnerability.
The Displays: Outer Utility, Inner Immersion
The cover display is practical but not expansive. It’s a tall, narrow panel reminiscent of older candy-bar phones, optimized for quick glances, notifications, and basic tasks without unfolding. Initial responsiveness and brightness seem adequate for its intended purpose, though it won’t rival the usability of the wider cover screens seen on the Galaxy Z Fold 5 or Pixel Fold. Unfolding the device reveals the main attraction: a large, near-square inner flexible display. Initial impressions are positive regarding its size and aspect ratio, which feels excellent for web browsing, document viewing, and multi-window multitasking. The crease is present but appears relatively shallow and less tactile than some earlier foldable generations; it becomes less noticeable once content is on-screen. Brightness levels in the demo environment seemed sufficient, but rigorous outdoor visibility testing remains pending. The bezels surrounding the inner display are noticeable but not excessively thick by current foldable standards. The pre-applied screen protector feels standard; BQ’s long-term support for replacements will be vital.
Software & Multitasking: Near-Stock Android Adaptation
BQ traditionally utilizes a near-stock version of Android, and this philosophy extends to its foldable. The software observed in demos runs Android 13 (with Android 14 expected at or near launch), with minimal BQ customizations layered on top. Google’s inherent foldable optimizations within Android 13/14 handle the core continuity features – app transitions between screens and basic resizing – reasonably well. BQ has implemented its own multi-window multitasking interface, accessible via a taskbar or gesture. It allows for split-screen configurations and floating windows. While functional, the initial impression is that it lacks some of the refined polish and feature depth (like advanced app pairing) found in Samsung’s One UI for foldables or Oppo’s ColorOS adaptations. Performance in multitasking demos appeared smooth, but sustained performance under load with multiple apps remains untested. The success of BQ’s software will heavily depend on how quickly and effectively they iterate based on user feedback and app developer adoption for larger screens.
Cameras: Modest Expectations
Foldables often involve camera compromises, and BQ’s initial offering seems no exception based on visible hardware. The primary camera system resides on the thicker rear panel section. Initial observations suggest a modest setup, likely centered around a primary sensor supported by ultra-wide and possibly depth/macro modules – high-end telephoto lenses seem absent. The selfie camera on the cover screen is a small punch-hole, while an inner display under-display camera (UDC) handles video calls when unfolded. The UDC’s visibility is noticeable on light backgrounds, typical of current UDC technology. While image processing capabilities couldn’t be thoroughly assessed in demos, the hardware configuration positions the camera system closer to mid-range smartphones than flagship foldables, aligning with expectations of BQ targeting a more accessible price point. Camera performance will likely be competent for everyday snaps but not a primary selling point against high-end competitors.
Performance & Hardware: Balancing Act
Official chipset details weren’t fully confirmed in initial demos, but industry whispers and observed performance point towards a upper-mid-range processor, potentially something like a Snapdragon 7 series or Dimensity equivalent. This choice is likely a key factor in BQ’s strategy to undercut the premium foldable market on price. Paired with expected configurations of 8GB/12GB RAM and 256GB/512GB storage, it should deliver capable performance for most tasks, including moderate multitasking and mainstream gaming. However, it won’t match the raw power of the Snapdragon 8 Gen flagships powering rivals. Thermal management in the unique asymmetric chassis during sustained loads is another aspect awaiting real-world testing.
Battery Life: The Critical Unknown
Battery capacity remains officially undisclosed. The significant asymmetry strongly suggests a larger battery cell resides within the thicker portion of the chassis. This design potentially offers a major advantage in addressing the perennial foldable challenge: battery life. Powering two displays and a larger main panel is demanding. If BQ leverages this space for a genuinely large battery (think 5000mAh+), it could translate into standout endurance compared to rivals often hovering around 4400-4800mAh. However, without confirmation and rigorous testing under varying conditions (5G, high brightness, intensive multitasking), battery life remains one of the biggest question marks and potential make-or-break factors for this device.
Positioning & The “Affordable Foldable” Dream
The most resonant first impression regarding BQ’s foldable is its potential positioning. Every design choice observed – the mid-range SoC, the modest camera hardware, the functional but less refined software tweaks, and even the polarizing asymmetric form – points towards a singular goal: significantly undercutting the current foldable price floor. While not officially “budget,” the ambition seems to be a “premium-feel” foldable experience at a notably lower cost than the €/$1500-2000+ commanded by Samsung, Google, and Huawei. BQ aims to make the foldable form factor accessible to a much broader audience within its core European markets. This strategy hinges entirely on hitting that aggressive price target without compromising essential durability and usability. If they succeed, it could disrupt the market and force established players to reconsider their pricing tiers. If durability falters or performance feels lacking despite the lower price, the value proposition weakens considerably.
Initial Verdict: Intriguing Potential with Proven Challenges Ahead
BQ’s entry into the foldable arena is undeniably exciting, injecting fresh competition and a clear focus on affordability. First impressions reveal a device with a distinctive, albeit divisive, asymmetric design and a large, immersive inner display showing promise. The near-stock Android experience is clean, and the potential for strong battery life is enticing. However, significant questions linger. The modest camera hardware and upper-mid-range processor confirm this isn’t aiming to out-spec the giants. The hinge durability and ingress protection need real-world validation. Crucially, the entire proposition hinges on achieving a substantially lower price point than competitors while maintaining acceptable build quality and performance. BQ has shown ambition and a clear target audience. The success of their first foldable depends on executing that affordability without the compromises feeling too severe, finally making the foldable dream tangible for many more users. The market is watching.