Has Apple Taken Their Finger Off The Pulse? Samsung Launch New Folding Smartphone…

Mobile, Technology  |     |  

At a tech conference last week Samsung revealed their new flexible, folding, bendable smartphone.

Unfortunately they did not give much away about the new phone, potentially being labelled the Samsung X, concealing the device in a thick case to keep the design a complete mystery… but what we do know, is the official launch is early 2019 and it’s set to be one of the most expensive smartphones on the market!

The size of the new device will range from 4.5″ when the device is folded (standard smartphone size) to a 7.8″ interiors display which will appear when the device is folded out into tablet mode.

The launch of the next generation smartphone isn’t a new concept though, in fact the bendable Samsung was presented as a prototype back in 2011… with Apple claiming it will never come to fruition, yet here we are just months before the new phone is set to hit the shelves.

Samsung.phone
Image courtesy of Android Guys

The trailer shown at the conference also showed the ability to run not 1, not 2 but 3 apps all at the same time, with the screen adapting to whichever side the user is holding and whether the device is unfolded or not.

Although impressive and certainly a revelation in the mobile sector, a small start up in Fremont, California beat Samsung to the consumer post announcing The Royole FlexPai, a smartphone-tablet hybrid of their own. Looking a little clunky with its centre hinge that allows it to fold, the FlexPai screen measures 7.8 inches diagonally, similar to the Samsung and sits alongside some other amazing high tech products, like their flexible display video hats and t-shirts.

Royole-Flexi
Image courtesy of Royole

Speaking with one of Samsung’s engineers regarding the competition, they stated that:

We haven’t seen a foldable Samsung phone yet because the bezel-free display currently sells well, so we still have enough time to develop the foldable display. The technology is expected to be mature around 2019. Rather than being the first, the goal is to make meaningful products and roll out new products worth paying for.