Future generation of Samsung foldable smartphones might take durability to a whole new level. Owing to the flexible nature of foldable phones, the large main screen isn’t as scratch or crack resistant as a typical smartphone display. But Samsung is apparently working on a new display technology, which could make these screens automatically repair themselves. So here’s what you need to know.

Samsung’s Future Foldables Might Fix Their Own Scratches

A patent from the South Korean tech giant was recently published, which revealed a new “Self-Repair” system. This will reportedly be used for cameras, fingerprint sensors, and even foldable devices. For context, Samsung initially used an under-display selfie camera on the primary foldable screen and only recently moved to a punch hole cutout. Unlike traditional flat smartphone screens, it is challenging to install a fingerprint scanner and camera on flexible screens.

Any hole for sensors can compromise the structural integrity of these devices, causing microscopic cracks and damage over time from moisture. So you still get a side mounted fingerprint scanner on the Galaxy Z series of foldables. However, Samsung might deal with this with its newly patented technology. The new display tech houses microscopic wires and sensors to form a “sensing loop” around the display cutouts, which could help detect any small cracks or issues with this area.

This system can then activate a reinforcement process by triggering “dummy metal patterns” that automatically seal and bolster the affected section. The last part of the process involves specialized sealants that can help protect the OLED layers from oxygen or moisture. In other words, the future foldables from Samsung may feature a display that can detect scratches on the screen, reinforce them, and even seal the screen to prevent more damage.

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According to a recent report by Counterpoint Research, foldable smartphones are gaining popularity in the US, with around 28% of smartphone users likely to prefer a foldable phone as their next purchase. The installed base of foldable smartphones in the US was reported to be 4.7 million in 2022, with Samsung being the most preferred brand for 46% of respondents, followed by Apple with 39% and Motorola with 6%.

Interestingly, the report revealed that 49% of respondents ranked the flip-type foldable at the top, followed by the book-type foldable. Moreover, male respondents preferred the flip-type foldable more than female respondents, while female respondents showed a stronger preference for the book-type foldable.

While foldable smartphones have performed better in controlling the shift from Android to iOS, the report does not expect foldables to become the dominant form factor anytime soon in the US. Instead, it predicts that foldables will continue to co-exist with the bar design smartphones for years to come.

Furthermore, the report highlighted that respondents with monthly incomes over $10,000 were most likely (41%) to opt for a foldable phone for their next smartphone purchase. In 2023, the global foldable smartphone market is expected to reach 22.7 million units.

Overall, it seems that foldable smartphones are gaining popularity among consumers, with a significant number of smartphone users showing a preference for the foldable form factor. As more brands enter the foldable smartphone market, it will be interesting to see how the market evolves and which brands emerge as the dominant players in the space.

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(Source)

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While Samsung wasn’t the first company to introduce a foldable smartphone, it’s certainly the one that made them popular. In 2019, the Korean tech giant launched the Galaxy Fold, becoming one of the first major players to jump on the trend. Although not many other companies have entered this unconventional smartphone category yet, Samsung is reportedly taking it to the next level with a tri-fold device that could be released later this year. Here are the details.

According to a recent tweet by popular tipster Yogesh Brar, Samsung might be launching a tri-fold smartphone in 2022, alongside the Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Galaxy Z Flip 5 models. However, it’s worth taking this information with a grain of salt, given that there have been rumors about a tri-fold phone from Samsung in the past that turned out to be false.

Since 2020, there has been talk about Samsung developing a tri-fold smartphone. The company initially demonstrated the technology and filed a patent for it around that time. Additionally, the brand’s display arm showcased a concept of a triple-folding smartphone along with other unconventional phone designs during MWC this year.

The patent revealed the device will have not one, but two hinges. With one hinge enabling an inward fold and the other hinge enabling an outward fold, the phone will take on a Z shape when partially folded. What’s interesting about this design is that the outward-folding hinge will allow part of the screen to be used as a smartphone display, eliminating the need for a separate screen for the phone panel.

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The Samsung Galaxy Fold is the world’s first true commercial foldable flagship. This makes it an exceptional device, despite the drama that the phone went through before its release. South Korea was the first country to get the Galaxy Fold officially, and a limited global release is due on September 18. However, it looks like the craze for the world’s first commercial foldable is sky-high in Hong Kong. Resellers are reportedly selling the device for astronomical prices in the grey market.

The official price tag of the Galaxy Fold is 2.4 million won (~$2,011) in South Korea, the only market where the device is officially sold right now. But resellers in Hong Kong have already managed to pick up a handful of units in the initial batch. Given how only 1000-2000 units were reportedly shipped in this first batch, getting a Samsung Galaxy Fold internationally through conventional channels, especially in Hong Kong, is next to impossible. That’s why Hong Kong resellers are asking nearly HK$38,000 (~ $4,856) for the Galaxy Fold in the grey market. That’s 2.5 times the original price tag of the device!

⇒ Editor’s Pick: Samsung is quietly working on a foldable phone that folds into a square: Bloomberg

But will anyone buy the Galaxy Fold at such astronomical prices?

Yes. There might be a few interested buyers for the device, even at this price. The Galaxy Fold is exceptionally unique in its market segment with zero competitors as of today. And getting a unit will not be easy anytime soon, especially in a market like Hong Kong where Samsung is yet to announce an official launch date. So the resellers in the grey market are the quickest way to get hold of the device in the region.

On a related note, the Galaxy Fold is up for pre-registration in China.

UP NEXT: Vivo NEX 3 5G arrives with massive waterfall screen, triple rear cameras and more

(Source)

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Only two smartphone giants have come close to releasing a commercial foldable smartphone this year. But both the companies have encountered issues in the development and release process, leading to several delays. Most of you know which two companies I am talking about but for those who don’t, they are Samsung and Huawei. They are the top two smartphone makers in the world today, with years of experience making high-end products. But both of them struggled to release their first commercial versions of the foldable. This goes on to show how challenging it is to make a foldable smartphone.

Despite months of delay, the first foldable smartphone from Samsung is finally up for sale this month and the company has just revealed a few more details on the software side of things. Samsung revealed today that it collaborated with Google as well as the developer community to optimize hundreds of frequently used Android apps for the Galaxy Fold. These apps include Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, Facebook, and even Microsoft Office.

⇒ Editor’s Pick: Huawei Mate X 5G rumored pricing in China isn’t cheap!

The unique design of the Galaxy Fold necessitates app optimization. For example, the Galaxy Fold comes with features such as app continuity (app automatically expands onto the large screen when you open up the foldable) and multi-active window (open up to three apps side by side on the main screen). Since the app sizes and aspect ratios differ significantly when switching from the cover display to the main display, app optimizations ensure that they work flawlessly during the process.

But given the sheer number of Android apps available on the Play store, neither Samsung or Google can optimize all of them. For this, the Galaxy Fold features a special built-in app-optimization technology that automatically converts the app’s size and ratio to fit the display, with a tap of a button.

Samsung has even set up test labs for optimizing Android apps in Korea, the US, as well as China. For those who can’t physically access these labs, the company in collaboration with Google set up a ‘remote test lab’ which could be used by developers to optimize their apps using an emulator.

Foldables mark a significant milestone for the smartphone industry and software will play an even greater role in taking full advantage of its new-age design. The phone is already on sale in South Korea and will launch internationally in the coming days.

UP NEXT: Oppo Reno Ace with 90Hz display set to go official next month

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After three excruciating months for Samsung’s foldable department, there’s finally some good news. Samsung has officially announced that the Galaxy Fold, which saw multiple delays in its release due to design flaws, will be officially released in September.

Samsung explains that it has made some important changes to the design addressing the design flaws in the original product. Plus, it adds that the phone was put through ‘rigorous tests’ to validate the design. In an official release, the South Korean giant explains the key changes made to the phone’s design. They are as follows:

• The top protective layer of the Infinity Flex Display has been extended beyond the bezel, making it apparent that it is an integral part of the display structure and not meant to be removed.
• Galaxy Fold features additional reinforcements to better protect the device from external particles while maintaining its signature foldable experience:
• The top and bottom of the hinge area have been strengthened with newly added protection caps.
  • Additional metal layers underneath the Infinity Flex Display have been included to reinforce the protection of the display.
  • The space between the hinge and body of Galaxy Fold has been reduced.

Editor’s Pick: You may need to sell both kidneys to get the Galaxy Fold Game of Thrones Edition by Caviar

The fact that reviewers assumed that the protective layer was just another screen protector turned out to be quite an issue for the phone. Removing the layer would break the screen and many reviewers were left with a dead screen within days. Another major flaw observed was the accumulation of debris around the hinge which would, again, break the screen, rendering the foldable useless.

Aesthetically, there aren’t many changes visible in the new design. However, the company seems to be confident that these changes are enough to warrant a commercial launch.

The Galaxy Fold retains the same price tag as before, $1980, and an exact release date is will be announced as the launch nears.

UP NEXT: The RedmiBook 14 gets a cheaper Core i3 version

(Source, Via)

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Samsung’s mobile division seems to be in “crisis”, as revealed a new report from The Korea Herald. Samsung mobile division’s CEO DJ Koh apparently made a comment in the internal messages to the employees, colleagues about the current condition of the division. Koh added that they are eyeing for the next year’s flagship devices to do some magic.

Particularly, DJ Koh said that Samsung mobile division is struggling to maintain its position. He further added that he will do his best to save the company from going into the crisis. Samsung mobile division has now pulled up everything for the upcoming flagship devices like Galaxy S10 and the new foldable device. They are looking for good sales from both these devices in the upcoming year.

Samsung is already facing tough competition in different markets from Chinese OEMs. Even, if we talk about some big markets than manufacturers like Huawei, Xiaomi, Vivo, and Oppo are churning the Korean giant’s market share. They are offering better specs and software at a much affordable price. Reeling under the pressure from the new players in the market, Samsung Q3 2018 profit went down to ~$399 million compared to Q2 2018’s 2.67 trillion won. It is not a huge drop, but it affects the overall value of the company.

Despite all these hurdles, Samsung has still remained the number one global smartphone brand around the globe. Well, the picture looks quite clear and good from outside, but within the company, things are different.

Now, the Korean giant is looking for its foldable smartphone sales to overcome the decline in profits. Even, Galaxy S10 is also expected to boast some extraordinary features this time to give some tough time for its competitors. Right now, the guns are on an entirely new product line, a foldable smartphone which is going to be available by early next year. It is the only device which could boost Samsung mobile division’s depleting monetary stocks.

The Korean giant will soon do some organizational shuffling, in order to increase the overall productivity of the firm.

• Read More: Samsung’s foldable phone 3D renders reveals its marvelous appeal

Right now, it is quite difficult to predict whether the Galaxy S10 will gain momentum or not? or its foldable device will garner good acceptance? Clouds are hovering over the Samsung’s Mobile division, but we are sure that they will overcome it soon.

What are your views about this whole scenario? Share your thoughts via comments below.

(Source, Via)

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As like we told you, Samsung has showcased its foldable display phone at SDC 2018 conference. The Korean giant has revealed its display by obscuring the whole device in a black box at the event. It helped Samsung to keep its design and other aspects private from the outer world. In the next few months or weeks, Samsung will mass produce infinity flex device in huge numbers.

Today as per the new source in Korea, it has been revealed that initially, Samsung will produce 1 million foldable devices. Ultimately, Samsung’s mobile division boss DJ Koh has also confirmed an unauthenticated news by affirming the mass production of 1 million foldable smartphones. Overall, it means Samsung doesn’t want to pour in more and more investment; rather, they will wait for official sale results.

It will help Samsung to know the actual ground situation of the market. If the company found the market mature enough then they will increase the production. Currently, there’s no overview that would have helped Samsung to get the exact probability of the number of sales. Even big experts are mumbling over how the market will react to the foldable devices.

Samsung has not revealed any specs and pricing details as of now. This time, the company has tightened its grip over the hardware leaks as only minimal details are available as of now. It seems we have to wait for the official unveiling to get information about its hardware.

• Read More: Samsung Mobile’s twitter account picture hints at Foldable smartphone launch soon!

Additionally, DJ Koh pointed out that Samsung is collaborating with Google to create a customized version of the foldable device. Google has already launched Android support for foldable smartphone; surely it will help Samsung’s foldable device next year.

We are expecting the Samsung to launch foldable device by early 2019. Still, nothing is confirmed, we suggest you take everything as a grain of salt as nothing has been confirmed officially by Samsung.

(Source, Via)

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Well, how many Samsung fanboys have witnessed something different in the new profile picture of Samsung Mobile’s twitter handle? If you haven’t then, it seems you’re not a fanboy anymore. In the latest development, Samsung has posted a new profile picture on Samsung Mobile’s twitter handle with a folding effect on ‘S’ letter and flipping the ‘Samsung’ text from midway. So, it means the Korean giant is directly teasing its upcoming foldable smartphone.

Samsung is in news from past several years regarding its foldable device but this time it seems like Samsung will actually launch the Foldable smartphone very soon. We have been listening about the Youm display, flexible batteries and many other things regarding Samsung Foldable device for past several years. Now, it is quite interesting that finally, Samsung is coming with the foldable device.

The Foldable device is expected to be showcased at the Samsung’s Developer Conference this month in San Francisco. If the latest rumors are to be believed, then it would mark debut by early next year.

Additionally, Samsung’s Foldable smartphone will be called by the name of Galaxy F bearing model number of  SM-F900U. As per the report, it is said that the new device is being tested on a firmware build F900USQU0ARJ5. Even though the Korean giant has partnered with Google to make a customized and more curated version of Android UI, especially for its foldable device.

It is expected to be made available globally, even in the European and Asian markets as the model numbers SM-F900F and SM-F900N have been leaked recently. These two devices are aimed at different markets around the globe.

Additionally, Samsung Foldable smartphone will comprise an OLED screen with 3000 mAh battery. It will fold to make a 4.6 inch OLED screen can be used as a regular smartphone, though you can even use it as a tablet by unfolding it to form a 7.29-inch display.

• Read More: Samsung’s foldable smartphone is coming this year, will lead to increase in demand for flexible OLED displays

It’s hardware specifications are not out, but we have managed to know about Intel chip usage along with a 512 GB internal storage. But, it can’t be confirmed as of now, as Samsung has put a tight hold on its hardware related leaks. Also, it will be much thicker than the usual smartphones, and its battery consumption will also be higher due to its extra large display.

Samsung is expected to start mass producing the Galaxy F devices this month and will produce around 100,000 units per month. It might launch at the MWC 2019, next year with a hefty price tag.

Well, how many of you’re waiting for it?

(Source)

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The much-talked-about foldable phone by Samsung is likely to be launched in 2019 claims an unnamed source, speaking to the Wall Street Journal. The source reemphasizes previous rumours we’ve heard but went further to disclose that the phone goes by the codename “Winner”. The details also include that when folded, the phone will have a small display in front and cameras on the back. The official name is believed to be “Galaxy X” as X is been added to most top-notch devices these days.  

Talking about the phone, the Journal also reveal some specs; the phone is coming with a 7-inches screen which covers up nearly the whole device when fully opened in a tablet-like mode. According to the news, the display can be folded into two just like you fold a wallet.

This 7-inch foldable phone is said to be a top priority for Samsung in recent times as there has been a decline of up to 20% in between sales of this year’s Galaxy S9 flagship line and last year’s Galaxy S8 models. If the phone is successful in the market, full production of the phone could be ordered for the second half of 2019. The brand is also expected to release other foldable phones later next year. Samsung is not the only brand in much hurry to release a foldable phone, as Huawei also showed much interest and already working on it.

Related: Samsung Foldable Phone To Have A 3000mAh Or More Flexible Battery

It is also worth noting that the South Korean electronic’s manufacturer is expected to launch a Bixby-powered smart speaker along with the Galaxy Note 9 on August 9. The speaker is said to adopt a design shaped like a bowl with legs and would have lights on top. The smart speaker will be promoted as a high-end music player with a price tag of about $300 when it becomes available.

(source)

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Samsung is expected to unveil the Galaxy X foldable phone next year, perhaps at MWC 2019. Ahead of that, the innovative Korean company has received two new patents and one of them is of a foldable phone design differently from the ones that have previously been patented. The folding design patent was filed under patent number US009959030 with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). This could as well be what the Galaxy X might look like as the images show a phone that folds horizontally, unlike a previous patent that showed a phone folding in a couple of different ways.

This design shows the possibility of the phone being used in landscape orientation. There is also an additional hinge that would enable the phone to be propped up vertically in portrait mode. When the two sides are closed together, the phone will automatically turn off while opening up the two sides will turn it on. Another thing is that the hinge isn’t like the regular hinge. The phone is equipped with a special hinge that would respond to the touch of a sensor. The patent shows the presence of a special “deformation sensor” and “grip sensors.” The grip sensor seems to be for sensing when and where a user has gripped the smartphone, while the deformation sensor detects when and how a device is being folded.

From the drawings, we can gather that the purpose of these is to ensure that the user interface is dynamic. That is, it will move to keep them visible and also accessible when the device is folded and unfolded. That way, the device remains usable with relative ease regardless of how it is held or what the orientation of the screens is. For example, if a user bends the screen to fold the device down, all of the icons shown in the drawings move to the screen on the outside. For a slight bend at the centre, they move to the edges where the user’s hands have been placed.

Read More: Samsung’s Foldable Phone Will Adopt A Note 8 Design But with a Bendable Midpoint

Samsung’s second patent received the same day was for a transparent smartphone screen. The Korean company unveiled a transparent television screen in 2015 but despite its appeal, patronage was poor such that the company had to kill off the product line since the investment wasn’t being justified. So, we wonder how they hope to make this one perform better since the transparent smartphone display will likely be similar although much smaller. There are suggestions the transparent screen could also allow for the use of AR without employing a camera to incorporate the real world background used in the feature. However, we may likely have to wait for a long time before this would be used on a smartphone. That is if ti ever going to be commercialized. You can check out more of the drawings of the foldable design patent from below.

(source)

also allow for the use of AR without employing a camera to incorporate the real world background used in the feature. We’d have to wait for more details on how Samsung plans to deploy the transparent display.

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