Joining the fold: flexible phones target more consumers
Samsung is preparing to launch a new design for its folding phone line in 2026, aiming to move the technology into the mainstream market. Despite early hardware issues, the company and its competitors are betting on increased consumer adoption of foldable devices.
Why it matters
It tracks the evolution of mobile hardware and the competitive dynamics of the global smartphone market.
Samsung hopes its new folding phone will encourage consumers to swap from their rectangular models. Photo: Artist/AAP PHOTOS Seven years after an awkward debut, folding phones could finally be ready for their big moment.
All articles from our website & app The digital version of Today's Paper Crosswords, Sudoku and Trivia All other regional websites in your area Continue The technology emerged in 2019 when Samsung showed off a futuristic phone prototype that opened like a book and worked like a tablet, creating a buzz among consumers and competitors alike.
But the reality of manufacturing a smartphone with a flexible screen and many moving parts did not match the hype.
Early phones suffered screen failures when users peeled off what looked like protective film, while other models developed flickering displays and encountered damage from dust and dirt due to its design.
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