April 24, 2024

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[ET NEWS] Samsung Electronics has decided on the specifications of its upcoming foldable phone, an in-folding phone with an extra display outside, according to industry sources on Sept. 6.

The phone being developed under project name Winner will feature a 7.3-inch OLED display when unfolded like a notebook. The display will have a 1.5R curvature, which means the display can be folded to wrap around a 1.5 millimeter-radius circle. 

Samsung's mobile business chief Koh Dong-jin poses with the latest Galaxy Note 9 during the launch event in August.

In order to boost the phone’s usability even when folded, an extra 4.6-inch OLED display will be attached outside.

The supply volume and schedule of key parts have also been confirmed. Samsung Display, the sole display producer, is expected to start placing parts orders from October, with plans to produce a monthly 100,000 to 120,000 units of the foldable display.

Industry watchers are paying keen attention whether foldable phone could replace the market for tablet PCs and bring fresh breath into the stagnant smartphone market.

Along with Samsung, other Chinese smartphone makers like Huawei, Oppo and Xiaomi have started developing their own versions of a foldable phone. Samsung and Hawei, in particular, are competing head-on to earn the “world’s first” title.

In the meantime, sources predicted Samsung’s foldable phone would be highly priced considering it uses two OLED screens and some parts that have never been mass-produced.

By Yoon Kun-il (benyun@etnews.com)
This story is co-produced by ET News and The Investor.