With more and more Android smartphone vendors voicing their opinion on the foldable phone concept and Apple rumors about a possible foldable iPhone in the future, Google looks forward to taking action this year with its first Pixel folding device.
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MacRumors concept render
According to a new He c, Samsung is in the process of developing foldable and foldable OLED panels to supply Oppo, Xiaomi and Google. The panels would be intended for use on devices to be launched in late 2021, and Google has requested that Samsung Display develop a foldable 7.6-inch OLED panel.
Documents leaked in August last year suggested that Google plans to launch a foldable pixel phone in the fourth quarter of 2021. Google confirmed in 2019 that it is developing technology that could be used in foldable devices, although at the time the company minimized the prospect of in fact, launching a foldable, saying it hasn’t seen “a clear use case yet”.
That said, Google develops the software that needs to run on all foldable Android devices, which would put it at a distinct advantage when it comes to foldable hardware-software integration.
Today’s report adds more support to the prospect of a foldable Google, which will use the now most commonly preferred foldable design, most recently demonstrated by the Xiaomi Mate X2, whose predecessor has doubled out in comparison. According to Xiaomi, advances in hinge technology and materials used in Mate X2 allow continuous folding without gaps and eliminate the problem of screen creases.
Samsung was the first to launch a foldable device for the consumer, but the 2019 Galaxy Fold suffered from major design problems, including screen creases and panel breaks along the hinge due to debris and other problems.
Thanks to the lessons learned from Fold’s design, Samsung improved the design and finally brought Fold back to the market. Since then, the company has launched foldable flip phones – most recently, the Galaxy Z Flip in a shell shape.
Market research firm Omdia expects sales of foldable OLEDs to reach $ 2.1 billion this year, an increase of 203% over 2020. Most sales are expected to come through foldable panels made by Samsung Display, and although Apple appears not to have made a firm decision on whether to launch a foldable smartphone, earlier rumors have suggested that Apple has requested Samsung foldable screen samples for testing purposes in the future iPhone.
Samsung has historically been a major supplier to Apple, providing OLED screens for iPhones. The company plans to dominate the foldable display market as a supplier and was considering a move to increase production to 10 million units a year, depending on demand.
Apple has been known to work on foldable screen technology for some time, registering several patents on the technology, and rumors have also emerged about LG’s potential involvement.
The repeated hint of Samsung’s involvement and Apple’s requests offers a more concrete suggestion that work on a foldable iPhone will continue on pace, with some rumors suggesting a launch as early as 2023.