The credible report from The Korea Herald is based on comments made by Samsung Display’s principle engineer at the Display TechSalon event in Seoul. It was previously thought Samsung would launch its folding “Galaxy X” device this year, with rumours pointing to a February release date. With that time already passed, Samsung’s has warned the X won’t appear in 2017 after all.
Samsung is now seeking to expand its bezel-less technology. Because these displays are already selling well, the company wants to devote additional resources to their development and manufacturing. The upcoming launch of the Galaxy S8 and S8+ will lead to a surge in demand for these panels. Folding phones could take much longer to get off the ground.
This has already been observed in previous Samsung display tech. Over the past several years, it has evolved its curved “Edge” screen from the single tapered side on the Note Edge to the entirely bezel-less frame used on the S8. A similar process is likely to take place when folding panels are eventually introduced. It will take considerable time for the phones to gain momentum and start selling strongly.
With its bezel-less design already making strong profits, Samsung has decided to allow itself more time with the folding concept. In an indication that any device launched this year would have been based on prototype hardware, the company now expects its technology to be ready in 2019. As none of Samsung’s competitors are preparing anything similar, the company can afford the delay.
“Because the bezel-free display currently sells well, we still have enough time to develop foldable display,” The Korea Herald reports Kim Tae-woong, Samsung Display’s principal engineer, said. “The technology is expected to be mature around 2019.”
Not a lot is known about the Galaxy X other than it’ll unfold into a 7-inch tablet. Samsung concept videos dating back to 2013 have signalled the company’s plans with the Galaxy X. Those clips show a relatively bulky device that’s likely to be scaled down before it’s made publicly available.
Once developed, the technology could enable multiple folds to be used on a single device, allowing a large tablet to be contained inside a space no bigger than a phone. There are significant technical challenges to overcome before this stage is reached and Samsung is currently focusing on creating single-fold devices.
Analysts have previously described folding screens as a “game-changer” but many have predicted the technology could be a flop if executed poorly. Manufacturers will need to convince consumers that there’s value in the design. The durability of the devices will also be a major consideration when they’re first introduced.
