Samsung clearly makes the best foldable smartphones in the world right now, and a large part of its success comes from its high-quality foldable display panels, robust hinge mechanism, and Ultra Thin Glass (UTG). No wonder many rival smartphone brands, including Google and Xiaomi, are turning towards Samsung to get those valuable parts.
According to a new report, Google will use Samsung Display's 7.6-inch foldable OLED panel and Ultra Thin Glass protection. This falls in line with previous rumors on the same topic. The South Korean firm is expected to start the mass production of foldable OLED screens for Google's upcoming foldable Pixel smartphones. Apparently, Honor, OPPO, and Xiaomi are also using Samsung's Ultra Thin Glass protection in their upcoming foldable phones.
Xiaomi's Mi MIX Fold 2 is rumored to feature an 8-inch inner foldable display from Samsung and a 6.52-inch cover display from CSOT (China Star Optoelectronics Technology). The foldable display will also use Samsung's Ultra Thin Glass for protection. Vivo's upcoming foldable phone reportedly uses an 8-inch foldable OLED display with UTG from Samsung and a 6.45-inch cover display from China's BOE (Beijing Oriental Electronics). OPPO's foldable phone is expected to feature a 7.1-inch Samsung-made foldable display and a 5.45-inch cover display from BOE.
Interestingly, Samsung Electronics will reportedly use Corning's UTG for the Galaxy Z Flip 3. Industry insiders claim that foldable OLED panels currently cost 2x to 3x more (US$150 to US$250) than regular flexible OLED panels (around $80). It is being expected that multiple smartphone brands would launch foldable phones in Q4 2021 and Q1 2022.
