Smartphone Manufacturers Are Ready to Embrace the Fold-able Phone

cageymaru

cageymaru

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Five of the world's smartphone makers have been applying for patents related to fold-able smartphones. The reasoning behind this move is that many consumers don't see the need to upgrade to the newest model of smartphone nowadays, so manufacturers are afraid that sales will start to lag. Also the manufacturers see the need for larger displays as video, AR, and VR come to smartphones through new 5G wireless networks. These devices may come in many form factors such as continuous screens with a book-like hinge, two screens separated by an actual hinge, a collapsible device that folds into a "Z" shape, a billfold entry and more. GizChina has some images of a leaked Samsung W2019 flagship flip-phone.

Foldable phones require a display panel different from those found on most smartphones. While most smartphones use a type of liquid crystal display, or LCD, a folding device will likely use a more flexible active-matrix organic light-emitting diode, or AMOLED, display, industry analysts said. The technology, already used for the iPhone X and Samsung's Galaxy S phones, is more expensive than LCD. The material is also more difficult to source. Samsung's display-making division supplies 95% of smartphone AMOLED displays in use today, said IHS's Mr. Hong. And then there's the selling price. Although many shoppers no longer balk at $1,000 price tags for high-end smartphones, Mr. Hong expects the first generation of foldable devices to retail for almost double that.
 
And we’re back to flip phones I guess.

Makes me think of Futurama. Someone mentions a phone booth and one guy is surprised they have phones in booths now and it means he can quit lugging around his cellphone which he promptly threw away.
 
What's next? Back to the Nokia-esque slider phones?

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You know, when people mention foldable screens or invisible hinges, part of me goes hunh... that might be interesting.

then we see this thing and I'm like.... wow.. you really don't understand what you are making one little bit do you?
 
I actually liked a flip phone better for carrying around. Sticking a smart phone in my pocket has never been comfortable. It was a Motorola Razor if I recall and when closed it was about the size of a business card and about 1/2" thick. But I don't think there will be a "return of the flip phone" in that sense. It will be some other, less reliable abomination.
 
I thought the flip phone was supposed to have the fold-able screen? I didn't see anything where the screen "folded". Plus the fact that it essentially looked like 2 phones stacked on each other it looks like we are moving backwards in the technology timeline....
 
Looks like this new iteration of the flip phone might help cut down on butt dialing, perhaps.
 
That looks ... awful. They need to show that same video, but with the person flipping it open and dropping it in the toilet, because that's what is going to happen with that clunky thing. What's the selling point? You can read your texts and do a line of coke?
 
Lol, that is the ugliest flip phone i have ever seen. The dude looks like he's flipping a notepad.
 
I cant wait for removable batteries, SD card slots and OMG, think if they added a 3.5mm jack! The future is so close!
 
Samsung just needs to bring their flip phone to the US market and I'll buy it immediately.
 
that phone sucks !!! who the hell wants it to flip up ???

the think is supposed to open like a book or a tri fold wallet to make a tablet

good god... what kindof of idiot designed that thing to open like that?? geeez... wont be buying any crap like that
 
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