If the Infinity Display and bezel-free displays dominated the discourse through the last year in the smartphones technology space, the next big trend could be the foldable smartphone. One has already heard a lot about Samsung’s project of the Galaxy X foldable phone and now it appears Apple Inc also has very similar plans and may launch one by 2020.
Samsung’s plans for its Galaxy X are not exactly known, but if it learns Apple is also working on it, the Korean tech giant would want its device released much before that.
This particular piece of information on Apple working on a foldable phone possibly with some vendors from Asia, has emerged through a note by an analyst in a major investment firm in the US for their clients. The analyst has suggested that Apple will stick to the OLED displays and the minimal space for bezels found in the iPhone X for at least 2 more years, 2018 and 2019.
The concept of a foldable device is being touted to help the manufacturers provide their users with a larger screen but not so unwieldy to carry.
The smartphones have already crossed the 6-inch size and beyond that it becomes a tablet and can’t be accommodated in one’s pocket. The foldable technology, if presented correctly, could overcome this handicap and offer the best of both worlds for the users.
And besides Apple and Samsung, the other technology to whitegoods giant from South Korea is also reported to be having its own version of a foldable display technology and it has been available for over 2 years now. There have been reports that LG and Apple are working together to develop a product for the latter using this foldable screen for Apple’s tablets. But nothing concrete has emerged yet.
Meanwhile there have been independent reports in the business media about Apple having acquired the capability to build its own Micro LED displays and if it succeeds with introducing these displays on its devices, it will find its dependence on companies like Samsung and LG for such critical components, diminish to a great extent.