"Galaxy Z Folded Twice to Launch This Year-End... Samsung Accelerates Foldable Development"

Rendering image of the Galaxy Z (tentative name) with a double folding design revealed by IT specialized media Let's Go Digital

[Asia Economy Reporter Seulgina Cho] Samsung Electronics, which declared the "popularization of foldable phones," is reported to be launching a new foldable phone this year that folds the screen twice. The goal is to strengthen the foldable lineup and increase the total foldable shipments to 10 million units annually.

Nikkei Asia reported on the 22nd (local time), citing multiple sources, that Samsung Electronics is preparing a double-folding smartphone, expected to be unveiled as early as the end of this year, in addition to the new Galaxy Z Flip and Z Fold models. Foldables that fold the screen twice in a Z shape and other forms surfaced last year as Samsung filed numerous related patents. Users will be able to perform various multitasking tasks on a wider screen.

These sources explained that "details are still being finalized," and the new double-folding smartphone will have a more application-friendly design. One official said, "The aspect ratio of the horizontal and vertical screens will be aligned with mainstream 16:9 and 18:9 ratios, allowing more video games and other content to run more smoothly at better resolutions." In the case of the Galaxy Fold 2, which changes the screen ratio to 25:9 when unfolded, a separate design was inevitable.

IT specialist media PhoneArena forecasted, "Four foldable phones and one rollable phone will be released this year," adding, "The fourth foldable model appears to be a 'dual hinge (double folding)' phone." The media had previously anticipated a phone folding twice based on Samsung's patent filings, but this is the first time specific plans have been revealed. The Verge reported, "A foldable phone using two hinges will be released as early as the end of this year," describing it as "the third option joining Samsung's foldable lineup alongside the Z Fold and Z Flip."

Samsung Electronics is reportedly setting an internal annual foldable shipment target of 10 million units. The strategy is to increase foldable shipments to a level similar to the Galaxy Note series. According to Jeff Pu, an analyst at GF Securities, Samsung shipped about 3.5 million foldable phones last year. This year, shipments are expected to increase to 7.5 million units. He evaluated, "In a situation where all smartphones look similar, focusing on foldable phones is a wise move," and added, "Samsung still holds an advantage over all competitors."

If foldable phone shipments expand to a level similar to the Note series, Samsung Electronics' performance improvement is also expected. The retail price of the Galaxy Z Fold 2 5G, released last year, was $1,999, much higher than the Galaxy Note 20 ($999). Another official mentioned, "Samsung wants to bet more on foldable phones with unique designs and much higher price points."

However, the smartphone market situation and recent semiconductor component supply issues are pointed out as key factors. Samsung acknowledged at a recent shareholders' meeting that semiconductor component supply could be a problem in the second quarter. Since foldables are more complicated to manufacture than regular smartphones, the impact of component supply issues is expected to be greater. At that time, Samsung Electronics' IM (IT & Mobile) Division Head (President) Koh Dong-jin said, "If asked whether foldable phones can be produced as much as regular smartphones, not yet," but reaffirmed the policy to expand foldable phones by saying, "We are working to increase the quantity."