[Samsung And LG Could Launch Foldable Phones Later This Year
Tilo Chopin
In 2019, Samsung introduced its first version of a foldable phone, the Galaxy Fold, a tablet-sized device that could be folded into the size of a regular phone. One year later, Samsung announced its second foldable phone, the Galaxy Z Flip, a regular phone folding down to half the size. Since then, Samsung has been creating new standards for foldable smartphones by introducing new models in two classes of foldable smartphones, the Galaxy Z Fold series and the Galaxy Z Flip series, every year.
The new form factor is not the only thing notable in foldable phones. It opens new opportunities in the mobile experience. The core mobile experience comes from the app experience. With two physical displays in one device, it allows a seamless experience from the outside in and inside out. Unfolding the device to provide a larger screen for more information with an immersive experience. In addition, a larger screen enables PC-like productivity with Multi-Tasking. Finally, Hinges let you know the device state and it gives a new perspective on the device posture (open, closed, and partially-opened) to interact. When your phone is partially folded, it will go into Flex Mode. This Flex mode is for both Galaxy Z Fold / Z Flip series and it gives a distinguished experience of camera, video call, and multi-media, etc. We hope more apps taking advantage of Flex mode.
Despite what Samsung says in response to user complaints, the crease/crack along the fold of our Flips and Fold phones ARE a common problem irrespective of whether occuring within the 1st year of ownership or shortly thereafter.
How many of you flip/fold owners have worn the burdensome frustration and inconvenience of having your phone fixed in the early days of ownership? How many of you have felt you've had no choice but to pay for Samsung for the repair, or, write off the cost of your phone entirely and buy a new more reliable phone to replace it??
For those of you out of pocket for a repair and/or the cost of an unusable phone plus a new one, let's band together and launch a worldwide class action lawsuit against Samsung for this issue and get our money back.
I am in! The Samsung Galaxy Fold 3 is flawed and it seems that many people are having the same problem. I have only had my phone for about 18 months and the screen is going. It is a failed concept that should be rectified. I just bought the S23 Ultra because I would never own a Samsung Galaxy Fold again. I explained my problem exactly to the Samsung Agent. The agent told me to not claim the screen as cracked, and that I should have no problem getting the full $660 credit (I still owe $800). He said that it is normal for the screens to have the black line through it, they are seeing a lot of this. I am disappointed. If they fail to give me my full credit and do not accept the faulty phone as a trade in good working order, I think I will look into commencing a class action suit about this issue. I am sure we will not have any difficulty finding a law firm to take action on our behalf.
That's not necessarily a negative. Flip phones evolved in 2023, and 2024 will likely be about further polishing what's worked in the past. However, I'm hoping to see companies like Samsung and others work toward addressing two of the biggest shortcomings of today's foldables: high prices and a lack of compelling software.
It's impossible to know exactly what to expect from new foldables in 2024 until these new models arrive in the market. But based on leaks and general smartphone industry trends, it seems like phone-makers will focus more on lowering prices, improving designs and updating their devices with more powerful hardware to match today's top non-folding phones.
There's already some evidence to suggest companies may be working toward making foldable phones more affordable. ZTE, for example, launched the $600 Nubia Flip 5G at Mobile World Congress, which is cheaper than both the Galaxy S24 and iPhone 15. The Elec's report about Samsung working on a lower-priced version of the Z Fold also aligns with that direction.
It's also possible that we'll see interesting new software-based features on this year's foldables. Samsung and Google are both focused on infusing artificial intelligence into their smartphone software in a more prominent way, as evidenced by Samsung's set of Galaxy AI features and Google's photo editing tools like Best Take and Magic Editor.
There's an opportunity for smartphone-makers to get more creative when developing new software tricks for foldable phones. The whole appeal behind foldable phones centers on the idea of having two pocket-size screens that serve different purposes. Imagine if those screens were smarter and had interfaces that were better optimized for their respective sizes and intended use?
Samsung and Motorola are off to a good start with the Razr Plus and Galaxy Z Flip 5, both of which have widget-centric cover screens designed to convey information at a glance -- much like a smartwatch. But I'm excited to see where companies take things next amid this renewed AI push.
Won-Joon Choi, executive vice president and head of the research and development office for Samsung's mobile experience business, previously hinted that the company would tailor future Galaxy AI software features to specific devices in the future.
Apple is famously late with new technologies, as was the case with large-screen phones, smartwatches and virtual reality headsets. If the company is planning to release a foldable iPhone, it likely won't do so until there's more demand for foldable phones. Devices that bend in half accounted for only about 1.4% of the global smartphone market in 2023, according to TrendForce. But as Counterpoint Research's Tom Kang points out in a blog post, foldables could be important for companies that usually target premium phone shoppers -- like Apple.
Given Apple's focus on design, I also wouldn't be surprised if the company waited until the crease problem has been solved before releasing a foldable. While designs have improved in recent years, the crease is still noticeable on both flip phones and book-style devices alike.
Apple has developed prototype foldable displays, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, but those are primarily for testing. There's no indication that Apple plans to use such screens in an actual product yet, says the report, which is from 2021.
Motorola and Samsung, meanwhile, are already thinking about what may be next for foldable devices. Both companies have showcased fascinating concept devices with screens that roll and slide to change in size. However, such concepts are just that for now. There's no telling when such prototypes will graduate to formal products, if ever.
"I think people will look back one day and say, 'I can't believe that I was carrying around this 7-inch piece of glass in my pocket,'" he said in an interview last year. "The device is getting a little bit untenable for most people based on their mobile lives."
Currently, the global foldable phone market is dominated by non-Apple players, with Samsung and Huawei acting as the key players, continuously expanding their related product lines. Although Apple has yet to debut any foldable hardware, rumors cited by a report from Economic Daily News suggest they are actively working to catch up by accelerating product development.
Sources cited by the same report suggest that Apple is highly likely to launch its first foldable hardware product either this year or next year, potentially signaling a shift to a three-way competition in the foldable phone market.
Currently, Samsung and Huawei collectively hold over 80% of the global foldable phone market share, making them highly influential in the market. Industry sources cited by the report believe that with Apple entering the foldable phone market, a reshuffle is inevitable, offering consumers not only more product choices but also potentially lower prices compared to the current landscape.
It is reported that in the past, most foldable phones were priced starting at USD 1,000, with some flagship models even priced at USD 1,500. With Samsung and Huawei potentially introducing more affordable foldable phones this year, it is expected that foldable phones priced below USD 1,000 will become increasingly common in the future.
The market for budget-friendly phones is currently not well-defined and is primarily in the early stages of development, focused on testing the waters. It is estimated that it will take another two to three years for this market segment to become more stable.
Same sources cited by the report suggest that with Samsung and Huawei continuously investing in the foldable phone market, Apple is pressured to launch a foldable phone to keep up and not fall behind. However, the biggest challenge lies in how Apple can launch a foldable phone later but still seize the initiative, potentially attracting loyal Apple fans without affecting the sales of existing iPhone models.
Samsung Electronics, a pioneer in foldable smartphones, is ramping up efforts to expand the still-nascent and high-priced segment, fueling speculation that the tech giant could come out with cheaper versions with mass-market appeal as soon as this year.
A recent news report said Samsung is expected to launch two models for the upcoming Galaxy Z Fold6 later this year, including a cheaper one without the pricey S-Pen stylus. Foldable displays are priced higher to support the scribble function on the screen, which includes the digitizer.
But he agreed it would be a tricky decision for Samsung to launch a cheaper foldable phone after years of premium marketing, especially as the Chinese runners-up are still struggling in the arena of price competitiveness.
Amid the escalating rivalry with the Chinese runners-up, some sources have predicted that Samsung could respond to the cheaper pricing by offering hefty discounts rather than launching cheaper foldable phones immediately.
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