A new report by CGS-CIMB Research of Korea makes some predictions about the foldable Samsung Galaxy phone. The company showed off its foldable display panel at SDC 2018 next month and said that the device would arrive in 2019. It may launch as the Galaxy Fold either alongside or not long after the Galaxy S10 is unveiled in February.
The research report predicts how the foldable smartphone market will develop from next year. Samsung isn't the only company working on one. Some of its biggest Chinese rivals are likely to launch foldable smartphones in 2019 and beyond as well.
Foldable Samsung Galaxy phone may also be very expensive
The research report predicts that the Galaxy Fold is going to have a massive battery. Since it will fold in half, there's going to be one battery in either half of the device. This should mean a combined capacity between 5,000 to 6,000mAh. The device would certainly require a chunky battery to power those two displays.
Samsung revealed at SDC 2018 that the external OLED display will be 4.6-inch in size with 840×1960 pixel resolution. Users will fold out the device to access the internal 7.3-inch 1536×2152 pixel resolution display. Since it's likely going to be a flagship-level device, sufficient power will also be required for the Exynos 9820 / Snapdragon 855 processors.
The research report also predicts that we may see tri-fold smartphones in the future. That would require three display panels which would allow for screen sizes as large as 12-inches when folded out. There's nothing to suggest as yet whether Samsung is considering a tri-fold design for the future.
As far as the price of this foldable Samsung Galaxy phone is concerned, it's predicted to be around $1,800. This isn't the first time it has been claimed that the device will be this expensive. A recent report suggested that multiple variants of the Galaxy Fold will be offered with prices ranging from $1,930 – $2,570.
Samsung has already said that it will release the foldable smartphone globally. Given that it may not find a lot of takers at its price point, it will keep supplies tight. Only a million units are expected to be produced of Samsung's first foldable smartphone.
None of what has been predicted in this research report is set in stone. It's best to remain skeptical about this information until there's more to go on regarding the foldable Samsung Galaxy phone.
