[Asia Economy Reporter Seulgina Cho] There is renewed speculation that Samsung Electronics' new foldable smartphone, the 'Galaxy Z Fold3,' which is positioned as the strategic replacement for the Galaxy Note series in the second half of this year, will feature a camera hole that disappears. The crease left on the display during folding and unfolding is also expected to be further improved.
On the 26th (local time), IT specialist media SamMobile reported this citing IT tipster FrontTron. The Z Fold3 is expected to be the first foldable phone to adopt Under Panel Camera (UPC) technology.
This means that the entire front is used as a display, and only when using the camera does the display in the module area become transparent, enabling shooting mode. Normally, a full screen is realized where the camera cannot be seen from the outside. SamMobile stated, "There is not even a display hole for the selfie camera."
According to newly leaked information, the Z Fold3 will be equipped with Sony-manufactured 10MP IMX374 and 16MP IMX471 sensors. On the rear, there will be a 12MP wide-angle, 12MP 2x telephoto zoom, and 12MP ultra-wide-angle camera.
However, some foreign media reported that "although the Galaxy Z Fold3 may be significantly upgraded in terms of design compared to its predecessor, it may not be so in terms of camera quality," expressing disappointment following the specification leaks.
Samsung Electronics is also expected to show improvements in the hinge crease issue with the new foldable phone. Another IT tipster, Ice Universe, tweeted on the 18th, "Samsung has made 'significant progress' in solving the crease problem on the (Galaxy Z) Fold3 and Flip3," and predicted, "You will not be able to see the crease."
Additionally, there are expectations that the Galaxy Z Fold3 will include waterproof functionality.
On the same day, Ice Universe also revealed that the new Galaxy Z Flip weighs 183g.
Major foreign media report that the new Galaxy Z Fold and Z Flip could be unveiled around July. According to market research firm Counterpoint Research, the global foldable phone market is expected to grow threefold from 5.6 million units this year to 17.2 million units next year.
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