Xiaomi, Oppo to Join Foldable Smartphone Bandwagon Next Year Alongside Samsung, Huawei

Foldable smartphones could be the future, providing a larger screen without increasing the overall footprint of the device. We already knew that Samsung and Huawei are both working on a foldable smartphone. And now, there’s a new report stating that other Chinese manufacturers, mainly Xiaomi and Oppo, are also working on foldable devices.

Foldable Smartphones:

Manufacturers have tried to deliver a phone with a massive screen before. Take the example of the ZTE Axon M, which features two displays with a hinge in between. However, that wasn’t a great example of a foldable device, because there was a huge bezel in between the two displays.

Unfortunately, there is currently no technology that can make a completely foldable phone that doesn’t have a hinge. This is because of all the other parts inside a smartphone. Yes, the display can be flexible, but the battery, motherboard, camera, and the other parts cannot be made to flex. That is why, even the foldable phones from Samsung, and Huawei, will feature a hinge. However, these phones might have a super slim bezel, and maybe a hidden hinge mechanism.

It is believed that Samsung and Huawei might adopt designs that let the screens fold inward. This would mean that on the outside, you will not see any displays, sort of like the Nintendo DS. Now, Samsung is going to wait until the product is ready for mass production, but that is not the case with Huawei.

The Chinese maker wants to deliver the product before Samsung, even if it isn’t completely ready for the market. It would be something similar to the Vivo Apex, showcase a working prototype first, then release a product for the masses later on.

Foldable Smartphones from Xiaomi and Oppo:

A foldable display smartphone is definitely an innovation in terms of design. And Chinese manufacturers don’t want to fall behind in the battle. The report states that, after hearing about Samsung’s foray into foldable smartphones, companies such as Xiaomi and Oppo have started developing folding smartphones as well.

According to the report, the companies have approached Chinese suppliers for parts related to foldable smartphones. The main components are the display and the hinges. The companies are mostly relying on Chinese part suppliers, but LG Display could also supply some panels.

We can expect a foldable smartphone from Xiaomi and Oppo sometime in 2019. Even Huawei plans on launching its foldable device before Samsung’s. It’s all about who will be first, and the Chinese want to stay ahead of the Koreans. While Xiaomi is most likely opting for a fold-out style design, Oppo’s ideas for its device are still not known.

And since Xiaomi is known to make affordable high-end smartphones, it is possible that the Xiaomi made foldable smartphone will be priced much lower than the Samsung one. Same would be the story of Oppo and Huawei. Also, do not expect the products from these companies to be as good or premium as the one from Samsung.

Xiaomi, Oppo, and Huawei will be aiming the mid-range consumer market, thus cutting costs with its materials. This doesn’t mean the products will be bad, just that it won’t be as good as the Samsung device. The Korean manufacturer will be aiming at the high-end market, which means a better product, better quality, and better durability.

Foldable Smartphones: Expected Release Date

We all want a device with a larger screen, but without it being too big. Foldable smartphones are probably the answer, but it is going to take a year or two for the devices to come to market.

Huawei, Xiaomi, and Oppo plan on releasing their products in 2019, and even Samsung might release theirs in late 2019 or early 2020. Until then, we will have to wait and read reports and look at concepts.

The post Xiaomi, Oppo to Join Foldable Smartphone Bandwagon Next Year Alongside Samsung, Huawei appeared first on MySmartPrice.

from MySmartPrice https://ift.tt/2LP96zH