A recent report predicted that the demand for foldable smartphones will increase, and although they represent less than 2% of the global mobile phone market, shipments of foldable models are also expected to increase by 73% during the current year 2022, compared to the previous year. past to 16 million units.
The report finds that Asian companies, including South Korean and Chinese, that manufacture Android smartphones, are the fastest to adopt modern innovations and modern features in return for the rigidity of Apple, the manufacturer of iPhone phones.
40% less cost for Samsung compared to iPhone
The report revealed that the estimated cost of the components of the latest Samsung phones, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4, which is foldable, is about 40%, which is less than the cost of the latest iPhone produced by Apple, the iPhone 14 Pro Max. The results indicate that Samsung’s profitability has motivated manufacturers to make foldable smartphones as well
According to the Japanese Nikkei Asia report, demand for foldable phones is growing in China, South Korea and the United States ahead of other markets.
Samsung benefits from parts manufactured in South Korea, as evidenced by the domestic content of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4, which is around 50%.
The bendable screen is the basis of foldable phones
The disassembly of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 reveals a large number of parts made by Samsung, including the flexible optical display (OLED), which is the basis for the manufacture of foldable smartphones.
The high local content ratio makes the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 unusual for non-Chinese high-end phones, as most of those phones are highly dependent on local parts due to US trade restrictions.
On the other hand, Apple and other manufacturers are working to diversify their supply chains to reduce geopolitical risks.
Samsung benefits from its strong domestic procurement, which ensures a stable supply of spare parts and lower costs.
Inside the phone case, there is one battery on the right and one on the left, and there is also a large kickstand. Since the components mounted on the substrate, such as chips and capacitors, are not as densely packed as in the case of the iPhone model, the experts believe that the design of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 may have room for greater functionality in the future.
Two types of foldable phones
There are two types of foldable smartphones: vertically foldable devices with a large screen that opens like a book, and horizontally foldable phones with a traditional square screen that becomes smaller and easier to carry when folded.
In addition to Samsung and Huawei, other manufacturers, such as the Chinese Oppo, are entering the fray. Cost reduction through production volumes and improvements in hardware will be important and decisive for their widespread adoption.
Observers believe that, fifteen years after the launch of the first iPhone, hardware innovation has slowed down in smartphones, which get most of their functionality from applications.
Meanwhile, technological innovations achieved through trial and error, such as foldable mobile phones, fingerprint authentication technology and high-performance cameras, are turning to Asian companies.
Hideaki Yokota, head of the Japanese MM Research Institute, said that Apple has become conservative in terms of technology these days, compared to the fact that manufacturers of Android devices are faster to adopt new features, thanks to competition.