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Samsung Explains: “Why People Buy Foldables”
Samsung’s foldables have overcome most of the physical issues limiting sales, but two obstacles to general adoption remain: 1) the cost and 2) the thickness and weight. Lee Jong-min, executive director of the planning team of Samsung Electronics' Wireless Business Department reported that Samsung would release a thinner and lighter foldable phone. The weight of the Galaxy Z Fold 2 released this year was 282g, and the weight of the Galaxy Fold (1st generation) released last year was 276g. It is heavier than the 208g of the regular smartphone Galaxy Note 20 Ultra and the 192g of the regular Galaxy Note 20. The thickness of the Galaxy Z Fold 2 is similar to that of a general smartphone with a thin auxiliary battery. The Galaxy Z flip, released in the first half of this year, is relatively light at 183g. He did not discuss costs.
Figure 1: Why Customers Buy Foldable
Samsung’s foldables have overcome most of the physical issues limiting sales, but two obstacles to general adoption remain: 1) the cost and 2) the thickness and weight. Lee Jong-min, executive director of the planning team of Samsung Electronics' Wireless Business Department reported that Samsung would release a thinner and lighter foldable phone. The weight of the Galaxy Z Fold 2 released this year was 282g, and the weight of the Galaxy Fold (1st generation) released last year was 276g. It is heavier than the 208g of the regular smartphone Galaxy Note 20 Ultra and the 192g of the regular Galaxy Note 20. The thickness of the Galaxy Z Fold 2 is similar to that of a general smartphone with a thin auxiliary battery. The Galaxy Z flip, released in the first half of this year, is relatively light at 183g. He did not discuss costs.
Figure 1: Why Customers Buy Foldable
Source: Samsung
Samsung points to three main reasons for purchasing the Galaxy Z Flip; its shape, portability, and exterior design and identified ten major improvements over the first-generation products last year; Ultra-Thin-Glass (UTG) durability, Hinge that prevents dust from entering; Screen expansion; Experience optimized for large screens; Multitasking; Flex mode view and camera; New rear camera; Foldable ecosystem partnership; Brand collaboration. UTG, which was used as a cover window for the Galaxy Z Fold 2, has improved durability compared to transparent polyimide (PI), which was the first-generation cover window of the Galaxy Fold last year. "The Galaxy Z Fold 2's external screen usage time has increased significantly compared to the previous one," Lee said. "It is the same as using two different screens in one product." When comparing the Galaxy Z Fold 2 with the previous Galaxy Fold, the external screen size increased from 4.6 inches to 6.3 inches and the internal screen from 7.3 inches to 7.6 inches. The notch is also smaller. He said that with the experience optimized for the large screen of the Galaxy Z Fold 2, the product can be changed to a tablet format. Another advantage is that the hinge allows the screen to be fixed at various angles and to view videos and photos without using the hands. There might be at least one Galaxy Note next year before Samsung puts the series out to pasture. Korean media outlet ET News reports that Samsung will eventually merge the Galaxy S and Note lines by adding an S-Pen to the former. However, the company might still launch a Galaxy Note series phone, presumably the Galaxy Note 21, next year.