From the humble beginnings of brick-sized mobile phones to the sleek and sophisticated smartphones of today, the mobile industry has undergone a remarkable transformation. Yet, amidst this sea of change, a new contender has emerged, all set to revolutionise the way we think about mobile devices: Foldable smartphones. Imagine a world where your smartphone seamlessly transforms into a compact device that fits snugly in your pocket to a larger-than-life canvas that unfolds to reveal endless possibilities. This is the promise of foldable smartphones, a game-changer in the mobile industry.
Birth and evolution of the foldable smartphone:
Initial foldable smartphone prototypes date back to the early 2010s. But it wasn’t until recently that improvements in manufacturing techniques and display technology made these foldables a feasible product for the mainstream market. If we recount, the Motorola Razr was one of the first flippable phones in the world, and it was the company’s humble attempt to reduce the phones to a pocketable size. Polymer Vision created a vision in 2006 that featured a rollable idea and a foldable gadget known as ‘Readius’. In 2008, Samsung introduced the AMOLED Kyocera and debuted the Echo, a dual-touchscreen Android phone with a 3.5-inch display. The manufacturer was considerably ahead of its time. ZTE debuted the AXON M nearly a decade later, in 2017. Huwaei also ventured with foldable MATEX. It had a 6.8-inch screen front display. It was now XIAOMI’s turn to venture into the foldable smartphone arena with its MI Mix Fold, which unfortunately suffered lacklustre reviews.
Samsung’s Reign of Dominance:
Samsung has long been a dominant player, known for pushing the boundaries of innovation and setting new standards for excellence. Samsung grabbed headlines in 2019 with the launch of the Galaxy Fold, the world’s first commercially available foldable smartphone. Building on the success of the Galaxy Fold, Samsung further solidified its presence in the foldable smartphone market with the introduction of the Galaxy Z series in 2020. These were the first-generation phones with an ‘infinity flex display’ that folded vertically. The second generation of the series was rolled out later that year in September, followed by the third and fourth in 2021 and 2022, respectively. The latest fifth-generation model, the Samsung Galaxy Fold/Flip 5, which was unveiled in 2023, is a high-end phone that boasts of a thinner, lighter, and huge display. It is considered to be one of the best foldables in the market. With the use of ultra-thin glass (UTG) and its unique hinge mechanism, Samsung has established itself as the undisputed leader for the foldable smartphone market.
Other major players in the market:
Jumping on the bandwagon are major smartphone producers, Huawei, Motorola, Xiaomi, and Oppo, each fighting for a spot in the ever-expanding smartphone market with their flagship models. Huwaei made significant advancements with its MATE X series, launched in 2019. Subsequently, they came up with improved variations, MATE Xs, MATE X2, and the latest MATE X3, which is only exclusive to the Chinese market. However, due to the USA trade restriction, it faced challenges in sales and marketing. Motorola made a victorious comeback to the foldable smartphone market with its iconic Razr series, which was expected to be launched in late 2023.
Oppo became the latest entrant in the segment with the Oppo Find N Flip, which is still awaited in the global market. The highlights revealed its exquisite specification and attracted eager techies to get a hands-on experience of the novelty. And then there’s Xiaomi, the Chinese tech giant known for its disruptive approach to innovation. With Mi Mix Fold, launched in 2021, Xiaomi ventured into the foldable smartphone ring, showcasing its ability to push the boundaries of conventional design and engineering. Mi Mix, with its svelt and classy looks, garnered huge attention but failed to appeal to the masses.
Market Trends and Adoption
In the last few years, the foldable smartphones market has expanded significantly. According to recent market research, the foldable smartphone market size is estimated to be around USD 28 billion in 2024, with projections indicating a staggering growth trajectory to reach nearly USD 60 billion by 2029, reflecting a strong CAGR (compound annual growth rate) of 17.13 percent during the forecast period. The reports also suggest that the smartphone industry will experience remarkable overall growth of 84 percent this year. One of the major reasons for this exponential rise is the escalating demand for innovative consumer electronics, particularly in the entertainment and gaming sectors. The advent of 5G technology has also aided this proliferation, offering manufacturers the opportunity to increase their market presence by leveraging on the growing demand for high-speed connectivity. Moreover, these smartphones have intensified the competition in the industry, with major OEMs looking for a larger market share. This competition has spurred innovation and expedited the speed of technical developments, benefiting consumers with a wider range of options and improved features.
Future is flexible:
The slow sales of these phones haven’t deterred these manufacturers from coming up with continued upgradation and innovative functionality. Foldables are very sought-after, even though they are not mass-market devices. The rise in demand for foldable smartphones is paving the way for a new era of innovation and excitement in the tech industry. As these devices become more accessible and budget-friendly, they will undoubtedly reshape the way we communicate, work, and play. The potential for innovation in this sector is unlimited. By combining the portability of a smartphone with the productivity of a tablet, foldable devices offer users the best of both worlds. One thing is certain: the rise of foldable smartphones is just the beginning. With each new version, these devices will continue to improve, becoming more versatile and useful in our daily lives.
Blog by Madhulika Pandey
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