“Folds in three layers, achieves thickness in the 10mm range”
Chinese smartphone makers such as Huawei, Vivo, Honor, and others are set to unveil new foldable phones in the second quarter of this year, challenging Samsung Electronics, which secured the No. 1 market share with 60% as of last year. The competition in the foldable phone market is expected to intensify as Chinese companies vie to surpass each other with hardware innovations. In July this year, Samsung Electronics plans to launch three new foldable phones, including a budget model.
Industry sources reported on April 2 that Huawei revealed a patent related to a foldable phone capable of being folded twice, disclosed at the end of last month. The patent drawings submitted by Huawei suggest that the upcoming foldable phone model, expected to be released in the second quarter, will fold into a “Z” shape, akin to a folding screen. Huawei has chosen this form factor to reduce the weight of the product. While the three-fold form slightly increases the weight, it offers the advantage of providing a large screen comparable to a tablet PC within the same size as a smartphone.
Samsung Display showcased a three-fold foldable phone at CES, the world’s largest IT exhibition, in January 2022. “Huawei aims to capture the market’s attention by launching a three-fold display foldable phone ahead of Samsung Electronics,” said an industry insider.
Vivo is on track to unveil the thinnest foldable phone on the market. The Vivo X Fold3, scheduled for a second-quarter release, will boast a thickness of about 10.2mm when folded. This figure is more than 20% slimmer than the Galaxy Z Fold 5 (13.4mm) and only 1.9mm thicker than the non-foldable iPhone 15 Pro Max (8.3mm). Vivo has reportedly achieved this slim profile by employing lightweight yet durable carbon fiber. The Vivo X Fold3 will also be the first to feature a semi-solid battery. Semi-solid state batteries use a gel-type electrolyte rather than a liquid one, offering shorter charging times and reduced risks of explosion or fire compared to traditional batteries.
Honor plans to release a new clamshell or flip-type product, the Magic Flip, in the first half of this year. A notable feature of the Magic Flip is its expansive cover display, which spans half of the front area, excluding the camera section. Xiaomi is also expected to launch a new foldable phone, the Mix Flip and Mix Fold 4, as early as next month. These products will incorporate Xiaomi’s latest hinge technology to minimize screen creasing and include satellite communication capabilities. The satellite communication will allow users to send and receive messages in distress situations in remote or rugged areas without cell towers.
