Prepare for a new generation of foldable phones from Google, Samsung, and others

Google and Samsung, as well as several Chinese manufacturers, are set to introduce multiple foldable phones with flexible materials later this year, reports The Elec. The Chinese manufacturers include Honor, Oppo, Vivo and Xiaomi. According to reports, the devices will use UTG technology and panels from Samsung Display, BOE, or CSOT said the report.

Samsung is expected to be the first company to release its newest foldable phone generation. According to reports, the Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Galaxy Z Flip 3 will both be released next month.

Earlier this year, The "S-foldable" smartphone screen, which Samsung demonstrated in a phone that resembled a traditional rectangular smartphone with two hinges, was the show-stopper in smartphone convention. The device's screen "expanded" to a maximum of 7.2 inches when either one or both were unfurled. A thick bezel on the side opened up to show the front-facing cameras and provide a grip for the user.

Samsung also demonstrated a smartphone with a slidable screen. With the touch of a button, the screen progressively expands the visible field horizontally from conventional smartphone size by several millimetres.

The other companies are expected to follow Samsung's footsteps and launch their foldable phones with ultra-thin glasses over the course of the remaining year.

Honor's new foldable phone, the Magic Fold reportedly will have an 8.03-inch inside display produced by BOE and wearing the company's UTG technology, as well as a 6.45-inch exterior screen, while Xiaomi's speculated Mi Mix Fold successor is expected to have an 8.01-inch display with Samsung Display's UTG. It could possibly come with a 6.52-inch external screen from CSOT. The phone's display proportions suggest it won't be a clamshell as previously thought, but rather a larger tablet-style folding. This new foldable from Xiaomi might be launched later this year, according to reports.

Vivo and Oppo are also working on foldable phones, which are expected to be launched in the last quarter of 2021 and 2022, respectively. According to prior reports, Vivo's foldable will include an 8-inch display with UTG and a 6.5-inch outer screen, while Oppo's handset will be smaller, with a 7.1-inch foldable screen and a 5.45-inch outside display, according to reports. The device is thought to have a 7.7-inch primary display and a smaller external display.

Google's foldable will include a 7.6-inch foldable display with UTG. Since the reports by The Elec makes no mention of a cover display, it's unclear what Google has planned for its smartphone.