Foldable Smartphones: What Do We Know and When to Expect Them

2019 is the year of the foldable smartphone!  For those not keeping up with technology, the first foldable smartphone has already been released.  It is quite surprising that such a major technology milestone has not been covered heavily in the media, but there is a reason for that.  The Royole FlexPai foldable phone has only been released in Chinese markets. It has received mixed reviews, with most tech reviewers finding fault with its software and functionality.  Regardless of what critics say, releasing a phone that folds is no simple feat. If you struggle to picture how that looks or works, this article will help you better understand the foldable phone and update you on when this technology will be coming to the US. 

How Does the Foldable Phone Work?

Most of us are familiar with only one type of screen: flat, stiff ones.  That is because they mostly make screens of glass, which is not bendable. So how does a smartphone physically fold?  There are two parts to this answer: hinges and plastic. Foldable phones have very small yet durable hinges that allow the screen to bend in both directions.  It is similar to laptops, where the screen is attached to the keyboard by a hinge. The difference between the two lies in size and visibility.  Foldable phones have hinges that are not visible. As for the foldable screens, this is a result of a change in the screen material. Current smartphone models use glass screens.  On the other hand, Foldable smartphones use either plastic or a glass-plastic hybrid that allows the screen to bend without breaking. It is not yet clear what type of plastic is used to make foldable phones.

One may wonder what the use of a foldable smartphone is.  This type of phone may not be for everyone. Nonetheless, the ability to switch from a small to a large screen can revolutionize the way we approach productivity.  The foldable smartphone is like having a cell phone and a tablet in one device that fits inside one’s pants pocket.

Why is This Relevant to US Markets?

As we stated above, the first foldable smartphone has only been launched in China, but we may be in for a very soon release of our own foldable smartphone here in the US.  Samsung has announced that it would launch the Samsung Fold, its first foldable phone, in the second quarter of 2019, maybe as early as April. Excited? Watch this unveiling video by Samsung to get an idea of what to expect:

Samsung and Royole are not the only companies launching a foldable phone this year; Huawei will also release its Mate X foldable phone later in the year, with a date to be determined.  You are probably curious as to how the two compare. Below we break down some of the differences between them.

Samsung Fold vs Huawei Mate X

The closeness of release dates may be the only similarity between these two phones. Differences include design, price, and display, among others.

Price

Let’s start with the common denominator: astronomical!  Of course, we all expect a folding smartphone to be more expensive than a regular phone.  Whether the expense is justifiable is up to individual users. Of the two, the Samsung Fold is cheaper, with a price point of $1,980.  Yes, the word we said is “cheaper!” By contrast, the Huawei Mate X comes with an even heftier price tag of almost $2,600. What this tells us, if anything, is that foldable smartphones will not be in wide use any time soon.  With prices this high, consumers will want to see a considerable return on investment before they shell out money in the thousands for a smartphone.

Design

The working principle of the two phones is essentially the same.  When unfolded, these phones function as a tablet; when folded, they become smartphones.  However, they achieve this duality through very different designs. The Samsung Fold, folding inwards, will remind you of the pre-smartphone era of cellphones where you could close your phone shut.  The difference is that you fully use the phone when it is folded shut. You can make calls, browse the internet, take photos, etc. The inward folding mechanism also protects the screen, which is made of a glass and plastic hybrid.  

Unlike its rival, the Mate X folds outwardly, which may sound awkward until you see it.  The nearly room-free foldability of the Mate X is achieved through the use of plastic on the screen, which has its shortfalls.  These are mainly a susceptibility to scratching and a less-than smooth feel compared to glass, according to YouTuber Michael Fischer.   Compared with the Samsung Fold, the Huawei Mate X folds more neatly but may come at the expense of screen smoothness.

Display

The two phones have in common how easily the screen transitions between cell phone view and tablet view.  The biggest difference lies in the bezel size. Whereas the Huawei Mate X is mostly screen, even in cell phone mode, the Samsung Fold’s cell phone view is much smaller.  That is due to the thickness of the bezel on the back screen. Remember that the Samsung Fold bends inwardly, which means that Samsung had to add a third screen on what would be the back of the phone.

What are the Pros and Cons of this Technology

We cannot deny that a foldable phone is one of the latest innovative mobile phone trends in 2019. It is too soon to know the problems that come with this technology.  After all, neither phone is in the market, and the only foldable smartphones for sale are in China.  As stated earlier, however, one pro is increased productivity. Having a foldable phone is like carrying a tablet in one’s pocket.  It allows for better photo-taking and makes completing work on the go easier than otherwise is not doable on a regular phone. On the other hand, we still are not sure of important things such as durability.  One observation made about the foldable phone is that it creases in the middle where the phone folds. It remains to be seen if this issue can be addressed in later models. Another issue is that plastic does not feel or look as smooth as glass and shows wear and tear much quicker.  Thirdly, prices are certainly a challenge. Of course, we will get a better idea of what consumers think of these phones’ prices once they are available for sale.

Looking Forward: What is the Future Scope of this Technology

Folding smartphones will not be where this technology ends, but they could be revolutionary cell phones.  Most electronics makers are obsessed with thinness, flexibility, portability, and other reasons that necessitate the need for foldable smartphones.  And even though only two manufacturers announced plans to release foldable phones in 2019, we know that others, such as Apple and LG, are also working on their own versions.  That is not to say that there will surely be a mass transition away from currently available smartphones to foldable ones. We do not know how popular or practical those phones will be.  It remains up to consumer reactions when they are finally released later this year.