As Nikkei Asia reports, the South Korean company Samsung is working on a smartphone that will fold in two places. This phone is expected to be released this year.
The source adds that Samsung previously filed several patent applications for such a dual design. We are talking about a smartphone in a new form factor, which will accompany the successors of folding smartphones Galaxy Z Fold 2 and Z Flip, expected in the middle of this year.
Samsung was the first to bring to the market complex smartphones and offered users two form factors; while the South Korean manufacturer is set to maintain its leadership in this new market by offering new assembly options.
According to Nikkei Asia, the screen may have an aspect ratio of 16: 9 or 18: 9 when unfolded. It is worth noting that Xiaomi showed a prototype of such a smartphone two years ago, but very soon the Chinese manufacturer will release a flexible smartphone in the Galaxy Z Fold form factor with a single point bend
Samsung expects to sell more than 10 million foldable smartphones this year, up from 3,5 million units last year.
DSCC predicts a sharp increase in shipments of sophisticated smartphones in the second half of the year
Consulting company DSCC expects a significant increase in the supply of sophisticated smartphones in the second half of the year. DSCC predicts that supplies will hit record highs every month from August to December. The reasons for the rapid growth were explained by DSCC CEO Ross Young:
"There are a number of reasons for this. First, Samsung postponed the release of its complex smartphones in 2021 until the third quarter. At least three models are expected, and Samsung is positioning its foldable Z Fold lineup as its second flagship series, replacing the Note series. In addition, they expect to introduce a more complex version of their folding layout. Thus, Samsung should launch a large volume in 2H'21. At the same time, Samsung Display will start selling foldable ultra-thin glass (UTG) displays to other brands from 2H'21, leading to a number of new products. In fact, we expect to see at least 12 different foldable and mobile smartphones on the market, from at least 8 brands and shipments of over 3 million units in Q4'21. For the year, complex/moving volumes should reach 5,1 million units, up 128%, and revenue up 137% to $8,6 billion.”
In the fourth quarter of 2020, the shipments of foldable smartphones increased by 54% compared to the previous quarter and by 242% year-over-year. However, shipments are expected to grow by just 1% year-on-year in the first quarter of this year, and even drop by 40% in the second quarter due to a lack of new models. However, in the third quarter, growth will exceed 100%. Analysts give the same forecast for the fourth quarter.
