In September of last year, Samsung announced that it was working on a foldable smartphone. It was to be branded a Samsung Galaxy Note device, which makes sense as this line of smartphones tended to stray from what is usually deemed “normal.” Their first edge-to-edge display was with the Samsung Galaxy Note 4, for example. According to a report from The Korea Times, we should be seeing the first Samsung Galaxy foldable smartphone as soon as next year. It doesn’t look likely to be this year now, but it still seems interesting. There is definitely cause for concern here when it comes to the price. Estimates put it at around $1850.
Obviously, that’s a very steep asking price, and it’s one that’s much higher than the Axon M from ZTE. Just like the Axon M as well, the device will have two displays that combine to make one. Not a single foldable display. There will also be an “outside” panel that acts as sort of a cover to the book. According to the report from The Korea Times, when unfolded the device will have a 7.3-inch screen made from the two inside panels. The outside panel is a more traditional 4.3-inches. We’ve already seen a patent request from Samsung that may show what the user interface will look like on the new device.
Foldable UI patent request
The thickness of the device does come into question, as it’s likely to be much thicker than average thanks to having three separate displays in total. That’s not even getting into the cost of the device. The ZTE Axon M is basically the exact same concept (minus the 3rd display), so why is it less than half the price? Samsung does intend to show the phone’s prototype to multiple major carriers next year, which is why a 2018 launch is now no longer an option. Interestingly, Samsung also notes that they have submitted multiple patents, including some so that the phone’s internal components aren’t damaged when it folds. This suggests that it is not foldable in the same way as the Axon M is and likely isn’t using hinges.
“In a world where Android backers are doing all they can to stand out from the crowd, the reason top-tier smartphone firms are jumping into the market is because foldable designs are different and allow customers to use them one-handed, while also providing a larger high-resolution display when multitasking is desired,” a Samsung engineer said to The Korea Times.
Source: The Korea Times Via: South China Morning Post