In Competition with China’s Huawei
The competition in the foldable phone market is expected to intensify this year. Amid predictions that Chinese companies, including Huawei, are set to release a “tri-fold phone” that can fold both inwards and outwards twice, Samsung, a leader in the foldable phone market, is anticipated to unveil its tri-fold product ahead of its competitors.
According to foreign media, including China’s IT-focused media My Drivers, on Feb. 13, Huawei plans to launch a triple foldable phone as early as the second quarter of this year. Huawei has reportedly since last year been collaborating with two companies in Taiwan that manufacture bearing components crucial for foldable smartphones.
The triple foldable phone features a main display that folds twice, dividing the screen into three parts. When fully unfolded, the screen is large enough to function as a tablet, the industry expects.
IT-focused media PhoneArena previously reported, “A triple foldable phone could potentially replace tablets in the future. Huawei, being the manufacturer of the thinnest foldable smartphone in the market, is expected to present a device that, despite folding twice, will maintain a slim form factor.”
Samsung Electronics, the absolute leader in the foldable smartphone market, has been involved in related development for a long time. Having already disclosed related patents and demonstration products last year, the company has secured the necessary technology.
According to a patent submitted to the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) by Samsung Electronics last year, the technology enhances the connectivity of three large screens that can be used in a triple foldable phone. It includes sensors and processors in the hinges and displays that detect the folding state of the smartphone and check its operation.
The industry believes that Huawei might release its triple foldable phone before Samsung Electronics. Samsung has only shown prototypes so far, indicating that actual commercialization might take more time.
However, there is consensus that Samsung Electronics will add a triple foldable phone model to its lineup, potentially releasing a smartphone with a new form factor either in the latter half of this year or within next year. Along with the triple foldable phone, a “rollable phone,” which allows the display to be rolled up to extend or shorten its length, is also being discussed.