Chinese Company Showcases Next-Generation Hinge Technology
Apple, Previously Observing, Unleashes New Patents
"Welcome Apple's Entry," Samsung Expresses 'Confidence'
The competition in the foldable smartphone market is heating up. Following Samsung Electronics and Chinese companies, Apple is also increasingly likely to enter the fray. The superiority of foldable phones hinges on the folding and unfolding part, specifically the 'hinge'. Smartphone companies are currently engaged in a 'silent war' aiming to develop hinges that show no wrinkles even after being folded and unfolded hundreds of thousands of times.
Chinese Foldable Phones' 'Provocation': Showcasing Waterdrop-shaped Hinge Technology
On the 20th (local time), the Chinese smartphone brand 'Oppo' posted a video of a foldable phone on its official social media channels. The video showed Oppo's foldable phone, the 'Oppo Find N2', and another device labeled as '(Other smartphone)', which resembled the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4, being folded and unfolded multiple times.
After approximately 210,000 folds and unfolds, the displays of both phones were checked. The Oppo phone showed almost no wrinkles, whereas the other phone had clearly visible white creases.
Oppo is known for its 'noise marketing' targeting giant companies like Samsung and Apple. However, in the foldable phone sector, it uniquely showcases its technological prowess through advertisements. The source of confidence for this Chinese company lies in its 'waterdrop-shaped hinge'.
The hinge is a special component that connects the folding part of a foldable phone. When the phone is fully folded, the shape of the bent hinge can be used to classify its type. Samsung has so far used a 'U-shaped hinge' that forms a 'U' shape, while Chinese companies have adopted a 'waterdrop-shaped hinge' with a gentle curve that leaves a teardrop-like gap inside the display.
The waterdrop shape improves design by making the folded part of the hinge less prominent and has the advantage of spreading the display wrinkles widely to minimize marks. Oppo, a latecomer compared to Samsung, boldly introduced the new waterdrop-shaped hinge technology and received the 'Disruptive Innovation Award' at the 2022 Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Spain.
Apple Focuses on 'Material' Rather Than Shape
Apple recently registered a patent related to foldable phone hinges with the US Patent Office. [Image source=Yonhap News]
There is also a new challenger aiming to solve the wrinkle problem not through hinge shape but through materials. Apple, which has been observing the development of the foldable phone market, is a prime example. Earlier this month, US IT media such as 'PhoneArena' reported intensively that Apple recently registered a new hinge design with the US Patent Office. The patent is titled 'Electronic device with fiber composite friction hinge'.
According to the patent, Apple explains that by using fiber composite materials, it can create a new component that is stronger yet much thinner than existing hinges. The core of the technology is that "the hinge is formed from fiber composite materials like carbon fiber composites."
It also points out the limitations of competitors' technology by stating, "Existing hinges are bulky and lack durability," and emphasizes that "this patent was developed to create a hinge that is compact but high-performing." There was also mention of adopting a new display called 'hybrid OLED' to eliminate wrinkled screens.
However, Apple has not yet confirmed the release of a foldable phone. Guo Mingchi, a Hong Kong-based Apple analyst, predicted in September last year that "Apple's foldable phone may not be released until 2024."
"Welcoming Competitors" - Confidence of Market Leader Samsung
So, what about Samsung, the number one player in the foldable phone industry? Despite provocations from Chinese companies and challenges from Apple, the global smartphone market leader, Samsung has not shown much reaction. Instead, it is accelerating efforts to perfect the next-generation foldable phones. Samsung has begun testing waterdrop-shaped hinge technology to be applied to the Galaxy Flip and Fold new models scheduled for release in the second half of this year.
Samsung actually welcomes the challenges from competitors. As the global foldable phone market expands, Samsung expects its position as the market share leader to further strengthen.
At a press conference at MWC held in Barcelona, Spain, Samsung stated regarding the increasing number of foldable phone brands, "It is a welcome development," and added, "If Apple enters the market, it means the value of foldable phones is being recognized, so we welcome it very much."
Samsung also expressed confidence by saying, "Samsung created the foldable category first and is leading technological innovation, an operating system optimized for the Android ecosystem, and applications."
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