Samsung’s first foldable smartphone will transform into 7-inch tablet
A report earlier this week indicated that Samsung may be working on two distinct “Galaxy X1” foldable devices that could be announced later this year. The rumor follows a variety of similar reports that claimed Samsung is looking to launch foldable smartphones this year, as component makers are finally ready to deliver the parts required to make devices with foldable touchscreen displays.
Now, sources from Korea expect Samsung’s first foldable smartphone to launch in the third quarter of the year and feature a large display that will measure 7 inches when unfolded
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Initially, Samsung placed the screen on the inside of the fold, making it inaccessible to users when the device is closed. The company in August began the development of fold-out technologies that would allow the screen to be placed on the exterior of a folded phone. That way, users would still be able to interact with the phone without unfolding it.
“Since the company already secured fold-in phone technology, it was not a big challenge to shift into the fold-out phones,” a source told The Korea Herald.
“Samsung is expected to roll out more than 100,000 units of fold-out devices in the third quarter,” the source continued, but the company is still determining whether such a device would be met with much demand. “The final decision will be made after the personnel reshuffle of the company’s information technology and mobile communications unit is carried out.”
LG is also looking to make 100,00 foldable devices in the fourth quarter, a different source said. Apparently, LG started development of fold-out technology two to three years ago, and its technology beats Samsung’s, at least according to this particular source.
Interestingly, LG may use the folding screens for smartphones built by other companies rather than in its own devices, with the report noting Apple and Huawei as potential clients.
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