April 20, 2024

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[THE INVESTOR] Samsung Electronics has reportedly decided the display specifications of the upcoming foldable smartphone, tentatively named Galaxy F.

The tech giant’s first foldable smartphone will have two display panels, a 7.29-inch main display and a 4.58-inch sub-display, according to local news outlet The Bell on Nov. 2.

The device, when unfolded, will serve as a tablet PC with the main display while it becomes a smartphone when folded.

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Samsung Display is said to have started producing the displays and the initial production volume will be 100,000 per month. Since the 2-in-1 device is aimed at testing the market response, the smartphone maker will likely roll out 500,000 to 1 million units of the gadget this year.

Until July, the tech giant had not decided on whether to opt for a single screen or a double-screen design. The extra display offers a better user experience as it allows the user to utilize most smartphone functions without unfolding the phone, but it makes the device thicker and more expensive. The dual displays also make the battery drain faster. The main screen will rely on a hinge to be bent in half

Samsung is expected to unveil some details of its foldable smartphone at its annual developer conference on Nov. 7-8 in San Francisco. The official release schedule of the phone has not been announced yet.

Other smartphone makers, including LG Electronics, and Huawei, are also preparing to jump on the bandwagon. Meanwhile, California-based Royole showcased in Beijing on Nov. 1 what it claims will be the first commercially available foldable smartphone -- Royole FlexPai -- that will reportedly be available in December.

LG is rumored to introduce the prototype of its own foldable phone during the CES trade show in January while the Chinese company is forecast to take the wraps off its own device by the end of this year.

Some market analysts forecast that the new type of smartphones could spice up the slowing smartphone market, but the effect would be limited.

“The lukewarm smartphone sales of smartphones in the global market will likely continue even after mobile devices with the new form factor hit the market,” said Eo Kyu-jin, an analyst at Ebest Investment & Securities.

By Kim Young-won (wone0102@heraldcorp.com)