Tag: foldable smartphone

Samsung Working On A Two Way Folding Smartphone Claims Patent

The year 2019 so far has seen a handful of unique and innovative foldable smartphones. Many manufacturers have already tried their hands on this technology with more expected to follow suit soon. Samsung, one of the biggest smartphone OEMs in the world, showed of it’s device supporting this technology. Called the Galaxy Fold, it was launched alongside the Galaxy S10 series last month. But, a fresh patent filed by the company reveals that it is also planning to launch a two-way folding smartphone, which is similar to the Xiaomi’s foldable device that has leaked multiple times.

Samsung’s Two Way Foldable Smartphone

The patent reveals what Samsung may be planning for its next foldable smartphone. First filed in the year 2017, the document of the patent showcases different images of the said device. Upon first inspection, it looks very similar to the handset Xiaomi revealed in a video a while ago. But in contrast to the former, the concept has thinner bezels and offers a larger sized screen in a compact frame. The bigger display can individually be folded from the left and right side of the device and be made into a smaller form factor.

An unusual finding from the images present in Samsung’s patent is the lack of any physical or hardware features. There is no opening like a charging port or a 3.5mm headphone jack anywhere to be found on the smartphone. Also not visible are any camera sensors on any side of the device. All of this may be an indication that Samsung is not nearly ready to launch the handset, or it may be the case that the company has figured out a workaround of the aforementioned hardware features to make the screen to body ratio as high as possible.

Also read: Bethesda Sending Out Early Access Invites To Users For Elder Scrolls: Blades

Samsung is expected to launch the new foldable smartphone as early as next year. This will be an upgrade to the Galaxy Fold in terms of technology and may be priced as exorbitantly as the former. It is also speculated that with the next generation the company will try to bring the technology to a more accessible, mainstream market. The patent for Samsung’s next foldable device can be viewed here.

March 28, 2019
Galaxy Fold’s Durability Shown Off In A New Video By Samsung

Samsung released its first foldable smartphone, the Galaxy Fold at the Galaxy Unpacked event in San Fransisco on February 20. While the company didn’t reveal many details about the device at the launch, it was known that it will go on sale starting the 26th of April. The company didn’t even let potential buyers use the smartphone, which aroused suspicion. A few days ago, a video was leaked which showed the infamous crease in the centre when the smartphone was unfolded. In a bid to control the outburst and panic caused by the same, Samsung has released a video showcasing the durability of the folding mechanism of the Galaxy Fold.

Galaxy Fold Durability Video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=McdgS3Popjk#action=share

In a 34 second video released by Samsung, multiple Galaxy Folds are being opened and closed simultaneously. The company has claimed that this has been tested 2,00,000 times. According to its estimates, if one opens the mechanism 100-150 times a day, the smartphone’s hinge may last up to 5 years of use. The test took a week of test to achieve the aforementioned number. This video has been aimed at showcasing the durability of the device for buyers sceptical about the quality of the hinge mechanism.

Galaxy Fold Specifications

To recall, the Galaxy Fold is a smartphone that can be converted into a tablet at will. The device has two displays out of which the bigger one is foldable into half. The larger display is a 7.3-inch Dynamic AMOLED panel which the company calls the ‘Infinity Flex’ display. It has a resolution of 2152 x 1536 px and is the biggest the company has ever put into a smartphone. The secondary display measures 4.6-inch diagonally and has an HD+ resolution.

The Galaxy Fold runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 SoC which is made using a 7nm fabrication process. It contains an Octa-core CPU combined with an Andreno 640 GPU. In terms of storage, the device features 12GB of RAM and 512GB of onboard storage. The Galaxy Fold is powered by 2 batteries with a total rated capacity of 4,380mAh with support for wireless charging.

The Galaxy Fold has a total of six cameras on the smartphone. The triple rear camera setup consists of a 16MP, f/2.2 ultra-wide sensor with a 12MP, f/1.5-2.4 sensor and a 12MP, f/2.4 telephoto sensor. The front camera on the tablet is made up by a 10MP, f/2.2 sensor + 8MP, f/1.9 RGB depth sensor. Additionally, there is a cover camera present above the secondary display with a 10MP f/2.2 sensor.

Pricing & Availability

Also read: Google Pixel 3a, 3a XL Will Launch In A New Colour Variant, Pricing Tipped

The Galaxy Fold has been launched as a smartphone in the premium category. It has been priced at US$1980 (INR 1,40,000) and will be available starting April 26 in certain markets. Although Samsung has not revealed any details about its India launch, it is expected to make its way into the country soon after the global sale.

March 28, 2019
Xiaomi’s Foldable Phone Will Launch Q2 For Half Price Of The Galaxy Fold

Foldable phones are all the rage in 2019. And even before Samsung could show off their first foldable phone, the Galaxy Fold, many devices were teased and one was even on display at the CES 2019.

Xiaomi was one such company that released a video showcasing their version of the foldable phone. Xiaomi not only showed off a working prototype of the device but also showed that the phone worked well and was relatively easy to use and fold up.

The Samsung Galaxy Fold became the first device to be launched by the electronics giant, and with that, the company officially opened the market to potential competition. Samsung’s foldable phone was soon followed by Huawei Mate X which also showed a new falcon wing design and a more premium price bracket. Samsung wants to retail the Galaxy Fold for US$ 1980 while Huawei Mate X was launched for US$ 2600.

Investors in Xiaomi’s supply chain reveal that the Chinese electronics company will launch their foldable phone as soon as the end of April or early June. Xiaomi will hold a separate event in China which will be a global launch of the product followed by several localised launches in its important markets.

Our source also reveals that Xiaomi plans to sell the Foldable device at a US$ 999 price mark. Which will make it the cheapest foldable smartphone. Xiaomi will also bring the phone to Europe for €999 and to India for Rs.74999.

If Xiaomi manages to launch the Foldable Mi device at such an aggressive price it will surely be able to gather some attention for the product.

Part of the reason Xiaomi will manage this low pricing is the display. While Samsung and Huawei are using higher quality OLED panels manufactured by Samsung and BOE display. Xiaomi will use Visionox Technology OLED displays. Visionox has developed the foldable displays as per Xiaomi’s requirements. Xiaomi has also funded development and manufacturing resource infrastructure costs for Visionox Technology to be able to develop this display. The company recently filed a patent for the foldable display.

If Xiaomi manages to launch the Mi Fold / Flex at the above price, it will surely generate enough excitement to warrant sales for the phone. The smartphone will continue to have flagship specifications including the Snapdragon 855 chipset and 8GB to 10GB of RAM.

March 9, 2019
Chinese Display Manufacturer Visionox Patents Foldable Device

2019 is looking to be a huge year for foldable smartphones, with companies like Samsung and Huawei already standing strong in the arena. Brands like Motorola, LG and Apple also have their foldable smartphones in development, as per reports. Xiaomi also reported that it is working on a foldable device in collaboration with another Chinese company. The company’s information wasn’t disclosed by Xiaomi, but recently, the name of the organization was discovered by sources, and it is Visionox Technology.

About Visionox

The company has been manufacturing OLED screens for various brands across China, and it is reportedly developing a flexible AMOLED display for Xiaomi’s next foldable smartphone. A subsidiary of Visionox, Yungu (Gu’an) Technology filed a patent for design with the World Intellectual Property Office (WIPO), which was published in the Global Design Database on March 1, 2019.

About The Patent

The patent shows a foldable smartphone with the display on the outside of the device. However, the display does not seem to be flexible, since two different screens are clearly visible with a gap in between for the hinge. The design of the phone is similar to the ZTE Axon M. The main difference between both the smartphone designs is the presence of rounded corners on the ZTE device, which seems to be non-existent on Visionox’s display. Furthermore, Visionox’s screen is completely straight in the middle section, which gives it some resemblance to a tablet of sorts. Top and bottom bezels are prominent in the device, and a camera appears to be present on both the right and left side in the top bezel, right next to the earpiece.

Also Read: Samsung Is Readying Two More Foldable Phones

Visionox may or may not collaborate with Xiaomi on this device, considering that the patent for the foldable smartphone has been published for Visionox, not Xiaomi. Since ZTE is also one of Visionox’s partners, the ‘foldable display’ design may be witnessed on a ZTE offering. Regarding the availability of the device, no details are present as of now.

The patent for the foldable device can be viewed here

March 7, 2019
Samsung Is Readying Two More Foldable Phones

Korean electronics giant, Samsung launched a revolutionary foldable smartphone called the Galaxy Fold last month. As the name suggests, the newly launched smartphone and tablet hybrid sports a foldable inner display. Except for Samsung, two other companies, Royole and Huawei have also launched foldable smartphones, the FlexPai and Mate X. Although the market for foldable smartphones is considerably new, analysts have high hopes from the device with this new form factor. According to a freshly published Bloomberg report, Samsung is developing at least two more foldable smartphones which have dissimilar designs in comparison to the Galaxy Fold. The two upcoming devices will provide a headstart to Samsung in the market that is expected to explode soon.

Upcoming Foldable Galaxy Smartphones

Samsung Galaxy Fold

The Bloomberg report claims that out of the two upcoming foldable Galaxy devices, one will have a vertically folding display while the second type will have an outer folding display. The vertically folding smartphone is also reported to have a cover display which reminds of the unreleased foldable Moto Razr. On the other hand, the smartphone with an outer folding display is expected to similar to the Mate X. The former will only have one display. Therefore, it will be thinner than the Galaxy Fold.

Noteworthy, the report points out that Samsung is currently trying several types of foldable smartphones. As of now, nothing has been set in stone. The vertically folding smartphone is reported to go on sale by the year of this year while the outward folding Galaxy smartphone will be released early next year. Samsung had previously claimed that it expects to ship 1 million units of a foldable smartphone in the year 2019. The upcoming smartphone will help reach the company to reach its anticipated target.

Samsung Galaxy Fold

In addition to the two unreleased foldable smartphones, Samsung is also working to improve the durability of the Galaxy Fold’s display. The previously launched device develops a crease on its display after it has been unfolded up to 10,000 times. Praiseworthy, Samsung is also considering to offer free screen replacement on the Galaxy Fold after it is launched in the month of April.

Price Of Upoming Foldable Galaxy Phones

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Unfortunately, the price of upcoming foldable phones from Samsung is currently unavailable. Though the devices are reported to cost lesser than the Galaxy Fold which costs US $ 2000. As, the lower price can contribute to their higher sales.

March 6, 2019
Apple Working On A Foldable Smartphone With A Magnetic Mechanism

Last month saw a bunch of smartphone manufacturers showcasing their take on a foldable smartphone. Samsung announced the Galaxy Fold and Huawei showed off its Mate X. There is another major OEM which is reportedly working on a foldable device. Fresh patents filed by Apple reveal what the company has planned as a folding mechanism on its long rumoured foldable smartphone. The company may be planning to put magnets under both sides of the display to make the device fold completely flat.

Apple Foldable Smartphone

The patent filed by Apple suggests different folding designs that the company may be planning on using. The image in the patent exhibits the use of magnets under the display. These magnets may be used to make the foldable smartphone fold completely flat, which is a problem other OEMs seem to struggle to figure out. The magnets that may be used are expected to be electromagnetic in nature and spring into action when the device is folded, to keep both sides of the display latched together. As soon as the device is unfolded, the electromagnets will lose their charge, making it effortless to open the device.

According to reports, Apple is trying to develop a specialized display coating and new foldable sensors to make the folding mechanism work. Intriguingly, the patent suggests that the display panel makes use of some sort of heating technology to improve the operability of the panel. The heating method that is suggested is required every time the display is folded or unfolded, as a cold display is more susceptible to breaking or cracking when folded and unfolded repeatedly. The images also show a unique, circular hinge which consolidates both sides of the display. Unfortunately, other details about the Apple foldable device isn’t known yet.

Also read: Canon Launches The EOS RP Mirrorless Camera In India

This technology employed by Apple is expected to be groundbreaking as the company is known to wait out on current trends until they are perfected. The foldable device from Apple may be a smartphone or a computing device, like an iPad which will turn into a compact device when folded. As per the reports, the company may release the device next year.

You can check out the patents filed by Apple here.

March 1, 2019
Motorola Confirms Foldable Smartphone, May Look Like The RAZR

Last year, Motorola filed a patent for a foldable smartphone, which revealed its upcoming plans to enter the competition. Apparently, the company decided to stay quiet about the process. Nonetheless, sources claimed that Motorola has been working on a foldable device. They have been trying out a lot of iterations for the same.

As per sources, Dan Dery (Motorola VP of Global Product) implied that a foldable smartphone release is lined up for the not-so-distant future. Also, he suggested that the company is not going to wait very long before launching its foldable device in the market.

History And Design

Motorola has had a good history with foldable devices, with the RAZR series of phones being one of the most popular devices when they were released. Sources claim that the new foldable device will feature a large internal display that bends over in half when the device is folded. As per Motorola’s patent images, the device looks like some sort of a flip-phone. When the design is compared to the rest of the foldable devices showcased till now, it stands out because Motorola’s build is unlike any of the designs seen so far. It claims to have been testing a plastic OLED device with a plastic film on top. Furthermore, the company believes that such a smartphone display will be prone to scratches and damage, so it plans to use the display on the internal section of the device. As per sources, Motorola is also working on a screen that can fold twice.

The Competition

The upcoming Motorola foldable device will be up against the likes of Samsung Galaxy Fold and the Huawei Mate X, both of which received undivided attention at the MWC 2019. The devices are expected to release soon amidst a lot of hype. Motorola, on the other hand, might launch its iteration a bit later. The company also hinted that it is trying out the z-hinge approach, which means that the device can fold down from a tall display to a pocket sized device (almost 1/3rd the size of the device). Sources believe that the company may launch such a smartphone sooner than expected.

Also Read: 5G Moto Mod Certified By FCC, May Be Available For Purchase In US Soon

As of now, only speculations can be made regarding the launch date of the smartphone, but when it is launched, Motorola might have a fair chance to regain its fans from the RAZR era.

February 28, 2019
Oppo Shows Off Its Foldable Device On The Internet

Probably encouraged by Samsung and Huawei after they showcased their foldable smartphones the Galaxy Fold and Mate X respectively, Oppo has teased what a foldable device from the company may look like. The images of the handset were shared by a senior Oppo executive of on Chinese social networking website Weibo.

Oppo’s Foldable Smartphone

The foldable smartphone from Oppo was unveiled in a set of images which reveal the device in its full glory. Unfortunately, the company didn’t provide any specifications, launch date or the price of the foldable device. The Oppo smartphone due to its outward folding display is reminiscent of Huawei Mate X. It features a futuristic design with a glass front and a metal back. The large OLED display on the front can be folded outwards to create two individual displays. Like the Mate X, the device also has a display housing on the left side of the device. The rear metal halves are consolidated with the help of a flexible rubber like material that provides the device with its foldable characteristic.

While the specifications of Oppo’s foldable smartphone are unknown as of now, it is expected to run on the latest Snapdragon 855 SoC which is manufactured using 7nm fabrication process. The chipset is comprised of an Octa-core CPU and Adreno 640 GPU. The image also suggests that the device will feature a dual camera setup. It is also expected to have screen mirroring feature which will allow the user to utilise the rear display as a viewfinder. The UI of the device affirms that it runs on Oppo’s ColorOS, which is likely to be built on top of the latest Android 9 Pie.

Also read: LG Announces The V50 ThinQ 5G At MWC 2019

The executive also cited in his post that the foldable smartphone from Oppo will only be mass produced if the company sees a lot of demand for the product. This may be the reason for sharing the images in the first place. Therefore, it is not certain if the device will ever see the light of the day.

February 25, 2019
TCL Showcases Foldable ‘DragonHinge’ Display For Smartphones

Chinese electronics company TCL has showcased its new ‘DragonHinge’ foldable technology for smartphones. The company used the Mobile World Congress(MWC) event in Barcelona to announce the aforementioned tech. It also claimed that the first devices with DragonHinge foldable technology will arrive in the year 2020 as a retail product.

DragonHinge Foldable Technology

While TCL hasn’t launched or even announced a device at the event, the company has showcased different types of prototype smartphones and what they would look like with the DragonHinge foldable technology. The company claims its ultimate goal is to make affordable foldable devices for the mass market. All the designs that it showcased differ from each other in the style of the fold, which is either horizontally or vertically. The TCL DragonHinge uses a system of gears to aid in the folding and unfolding mechanism of the devices. The hinge of the device is designed in a way which doesn’t allow it to fold completely flat. All the demo units that were shown at the event also feature multiple rear cameras.

Interestingly, TCL is better known for making TVs and display panels so the foldable display technology that it has shown off might be sold to OEMs in the future for their foldable smartphones. Notably, the company also manufactures smartphones under brands like Blackberry, Alcatel, Palm and its own. Its upcoming foldable smartphone may be launched under any of the aforementioned brands or through an all-new brand.

Also read: Nokia 3.2, Nokia 4.2 Android One Smartphones Launched At MWC 2019

Unfortunately, any specific details about the launch date or price of a device with this technology are currently unavailable. However, TCL has claimed that it will release a smartphone with a foldable display and DragonHinge technology in the year 2020.

February 25, 2019
Huawei’s Foldable Phone, The ‘Mate X’ Leaks

Samsung surprised the world on February 20 when it unveiled the Galaxy Fold, its first foldable smartphone. Some other OEM’s like Huawei and Nubia, have already promised to show off a foldable device at the Mobile World Congress(MWC) 2019 in Barcelona. The foldable phone from Huawei has been teased for a while but no official details about the device were available. A fresh leak has revealed the design and the name of the device. The foldable smartphone from Huawei will be called the Mate X.

Huawei Mate X

The Mate X will be the first foldable smartphone from the Chinese electronics giant Huawei. The leaked image shows workers setting up an outdoor advertisement of the device which reveals it in its entirety and affirms it will be the ‘World’s first foldable 5G phone’. The image also exposes the design of the device, which looks futuristic with a large screen that has an outward fold. The fold will split the screen into two, disabling the second screen and making the first screen work as a regular smartphone. Interestingly, this approach will be unlike Samsung’s, which put two screens in its foldable smartphone the Galaxy Fold, and has an inward fold.

The Mate X from the image looks similar to the Royole FlexPai, which was the world’s first commercially available foldable smartphone. The Huawei device will also have a triple camera setup and a side mounted fingerprint scanner. The display housing will be present on the left side of the device, where the screen will rest when folded completely. The smartphone will reportedly run on the Kirin 980 SoC which is manufactured using the 7nm fabrication process, has an Octa-core CPU and a Mali-G76 GPU.

Also read: DxOMark Ranks Xiaomi Mi 9 As The Best Video Shooter, Samsung Galaxy S10+ Best For Selfies

Unfortunately, details about the pricing of the Mate X foldable smartphone aren’t known yet. Huawei will reveal the device on February 24 at MWC in Barcelona. Reports suggest that the smartphone will be priced at US $1500(around Rs 1,06,000).

February 23, 2019
Apple Is Working On A Foldable Phone Claims Patent

Samsung will announce the first foldable smartphone of 2019 at the Galaxy Unpacked event on February 20. Several reports and leaks have revealed that many other major OEMs are also working on smartphones with a foldable display. Notably, Apple also may be looking to join the foldable smartphone bandwagon. A patent listing on the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) website by Apple hints that the company is working on a foldable smartphone.

Apple Foldable Smartphone

While this patent for a foldable smartphone was filed by Apple on October 12 last year, the patent was granted to it on February 14. Interestingly, the patent by Apple for a foldable device goes back to July 2011, when it filed the first patent. The images posted by Apple in the patent show various concepts of how the smartphone could fold, with a different design shown in each image. Most of the designs show a smartphone fold into half. The Apple foldable smartphone is expected to make use of a flexible OLED display to provide it with the foldable functionality. Most of the devices in the freshly granted patent have a bottom mounted connector which is likely to be the lightning port.

While most of the patents show a device with a display folding outwards, some of them employ an inner folding display. According to some of these images, Apple may also be considering a device with an asymmetrical fold. The images do not disclose the position of the camera sensor. Hence, it cannot be confirmed whether the device will have one or not.

Also read: Xiaomi To Launch A Wireless Charger Power Bank Alongside The Mi 9

Past reports claimed that Apple is unlikely to launch a foldable smartphone in the year 2019. Going by its track record, it will wait until the technology is perfected for mass implementation. As of now, it is unclear whether the technology from these patents makes its way into future iPhones or not. Perhaps the iPad or MacBook will make use of this technology.

You can view the patent filed by Apple here.

February 18, 2019
This Is What The Samsung Foldable Smartphone With Dual Display Will Look Like

Previously, a teaser video was released, indicating the fact that Samsung is ‘maybe’ working on a dual sided smartphone. Speculations rose around the fact that if the display is on the outside of the phone housing, it’s not a foldable smartphone at all.

https://youtu.be/1KIKaS2221I

The text in the teaser video actually seemed to ‘curl around’ something. A freshly published patent reveals more about the kind of Galaxy Smartphones Samsung is working on.

About The Patent

Samsung has a design patent published at the USPTO (United States Patent and Trademark Office), which is titled as an ‘Electronic Device’. The patent shows a smartphone that has two separate display parts, and apparently can be folded. The smartphone has very thin sides with an edge-to-edge display, which gives it a very elegant look, especially when the device is folded.

Design & Features

For mobility, the device can be folded so that the display gets shifted to the inside. This will ensure the protection of the display, as the screen won’t be scratched or broken while carrying the device. According to your convenience, the smartphone can be folded all the way back, so that you can use one single display just like a regular smartphone.

Images from the design patent show enough space at the front to house a selfie camera. The rear of the smartphone has a dual camera setup which is vertically positioned. Interestingly, the Samsung smartphone also features a 3.5 mm headphone jack.

Everyone is eagerly waiting for a device like this which could combine elegance and mobility into one single foldable smartphone. Samsung may or may not release any information about its foldable device anytime soon, but if it does so, we’ll have to wait for the MWC 2019 for that.

Also Read: Samsung Patents Smart Mirror TV, A Mirror & Television As One

The design patent of the Samsung foldable smartphone can be seen here

February 14, 2019
Nubia Sends Out Invites For The Wearable Phone Launch

Nubia earlier confirmed that it will launch a flexible device at the Mobile World Congress(MWC) on February 25. More details about the device have surfaced as Nubia has sent out invites for the event. The event will see the launch of the Nubia Alpha, a foldable wearable phone that can be tied around the wrist.

The event’s uses a tagine “Flex your Life”. It also shows a device with a flexible display. It wasn’t clear what kind of flexible device we could expect, earlier when Nubia made the announcement, but the graphic on the official invitation resembles the shape of a display. The Nubia announcement shows up after companies like Samsung and Huawei have already announced that they will showcase a foldable smartphone at the MWC. Those announcements will both arrive before the Nubia event.

Nubia Alpha: The Future?

The Nubia Alpha was shown as a concept back in August. It was a smart wearable that can be tied around a wrist. Nubia didn’t reveal anything about the device and it wasn’t even available to be tried out back then. But it seems that the company is ready with the device and it may be available soon. While the specs of it aren’t known, the Alpha in the trailer looks like a smartphone on the wrist, making the use of a tall, flexible OLED display for its flexible needs. It might also have a Type-C port for charging and a single camera on the front.

Also read: LG G8 ThinQ Images Leaked

The device may end up looking different than what was shown at the IFA as it was a concept back then. The flexible wearable idea looks to make a compelling case for flexible smartphones and may end up actually proving to be useful. The pricing and availablity of the Nubia Alpha isn’t known yet, but we won’t have to wait long to find out more about the device.

February 14, 2019
Samsung Teases The Launch Of Its Foldable Phone

Samsung will launch a plethora of devices at the Unpacked event on February 20 in San Fransisco. There were many leaks and rumors that the foldable Galaxy device might make an appearance at the event but we now finally have official confirmation. Samsung Mobile’s official twitter handle has shared a video confirming that the Galaxy F, as it’s rumored to be called, will be announced alongside the Galaxy S10 series.

The future of mobile will unfold on February 20, 2019. #SamsungEvent pic.twitter.com/MHvwrt7Rf4
— Samsung Mobile (@SamsungMobile) February 11, 2019

The Foldable Galaxy smartphone has been long rumored to have the name Galaxy F. The F might stand for ‘Fold’ here. The device was last shown off at the Samsung Developer Conference in November last year. And while Samsung didn’t show how the device looks, we saw that it bent inwards. This is unlike the Royole FlexPai, which has an outward bend.

The video shows Korean text on the screen and then the words “The Future Unfolds” appear, followed by the date. This doesn’t need much explanation that the choice of words and the animations used, prove that it is indeed about a foldable smartphone. We got a glimpse of how the device is going to look like in a teaser video shared by Samsung a few days ago.

Samsung Galaxy F Specifications

The Galaxy F, as it’s rumored to be called, will be an alternate flagship device for Samsung. It will reportedly feature two displays. One will be a 7.3 inches Super AMOLED one with a 2152 x 1536 px resolution. The second display may be a 4.5-inch Super AMOLED one. The device will run on the Snapdragon 855 combined with 8GB of RAM and 512GB of storage. It may have dual cameras on the front and the back, details of which are unknown.

Also read: OnePlus Will Showcase A 5G Smartphone At MWC 2019

Due to its thin profile and foldable nature, the device will reporedly be powered by two 3100mAh batteries. The device will run on a version of Android Pie optimized for foldable devices. The device will also be the most expensive Samsung has ever made, expected to be available the $1700 price tag. Samsung is expected to make this device available for sale later this year.

February 12, 2019
Xiaomi Speaks Out Loud About Its Foldable Smartphone

In the month of January, a Senior Xiaomi executive shared a video of an intriguing device on the Chinese social media website, Weibo. The video demonstrates a distinctive smartphone that unfolds into a large screen tablet. Unlike foldable smartphone concepts and patents from OEMs like Samsung and LG, the Xiaomi device has a unique handling mechanism. While the hands-on video of the smart device was turning a lot of heads the company executives maintained a silent vow. The Global PR team of the company has now shared an official statement that addresses the innovative device.

Xiaomi’s Addressal

The Xiaomi PR team addresses the uncommon double folding smartphone as its newest innovation. The press release reveals that the foldable screen of the futuristic device has been co-developed by Xiaomi and its supply chain partner. The company claims that except for the foldable screen, its software adaptation, folding mechanism, and design has been independently developed in-house. The letter notifies that Xiaomi has conducted extensive research while developing a robust folding mechanism for the upcoming device. It also states that this modern feat is indeed a product of individual contribution from each segment of the industrial chain.

Xiaomi Foldable Smartphone Design and Launch Date

The double folding smartphone from Xiaomi has a striking look with thin bezels on all sides. The device when in its folded state is pocketable and easy to carry like any conventional smartphone. However, as soon as the foldable screen on its either side is unfolded it transforms into a large screen tablet. This aspect of the device opens up a whole new world of possibilities what a portable device can deliver.

Also Read: Nokia 9 Leaked Through Android Enterprise Listing

Unluckily, Xiaomi has not revealed the launch date of the double folding smartphone. Though it is likely that the company publically showcases such a device at the upcoming MWC which is scheduled for 25-28 February.

You can read the full letter below.

Xiaomi’s Global PR Team official statement: The double folding smartphone is the latest innovation by Xiaomi. One of the key components of the phone, the flexible folding screen, is co-developed by Xiaomi and its supply chain partner. Aside from the screen, its design, folding mechanism and MIUI adaptation are independently developed by us.

Xiaomi is first in the world to present a double folding smartphone and has conquered the technical challenges posed in its three different form factors – double folded, single folded, and tablet form. Prior to finding the best solution, Xiaomi has conducted extensive research and experiments to develop a robust folding mechanism that will allow the flexible screen to withstand mechanical stress.

Each innovation is the result of joint, cumulative R&D efforts from supply chain partners and the device manufacturer. It is misguided to think a folding screen can be easily turned into a folding smartphone without significant breakthroughs in technology. Each segment of the industrial chain has its unique contribution. Xiaomi believes that innovative products and great user experience are made possible with sound collaboration and participation from all parties.

February 12, 2019