Samsung to prototype foldable smartphone in 3Q
Back in early February we noted that the Korean press was indicating that Samsung Electronics (005930.KS) and Samsung Display would be showing a prototype of a foldable OLED smartphone at Mobile World Congress to selected customers, and not the general public. We noted that we did not expect that such demos (and we still do not know if or to whom they were shown due to NDAs) would lead to an imminent product, adding that we expected another 9 to 12 months before being able to qualify and scale manufacturing for such a product.
The Korean press is back with the notion that the two partners will be producing a flexible smartphone prototype, but this time by 3rd quarter of this year, with the delay coming from further development toward improving the appearance of the device, making it ‘one-step higher’ than its regular flagship smartphone. No mention of the difficulties involved in manufacturing flexible displays, the amount of available flexible capacity, the risk of some catastrophic issue that might further tarnish Samsung’s reputation, or the idea that such a device might not have appeal to consumers, but that the idea was to make it more attractive.
While the press goes on to cite competition from other potential flexible OLED device producers, many of whom have shown flexible OLED displays over the last 12 to 18 months, it does acknowledge that Samsung has considerably more experience in both high volume production of OLED displays, and ‘flexible’ (actually conformed) displays generally. We don’t doubt the prowess shown by other potential OLED producers in developing flexible display prototypes, but moving from building a few demos in an R&D lab to even producing on a small pilot line is a major step which few have both the resources and the expertise to accomplish. This gives Samsung et al a distinct advantage, should they decide to make such a move, which they will continue to use as a carrot to keep consumers focused on ‘potential’ Samsung products as the new Apple iPhone is released later this year.
The Korean press is back with the notion that the two partners will be producing a flexible smartphone prototype, but this time by 3rd quarter of this year, with the delay coming from further development toward improving the appearance of the device, making it ‘one-step higher’ than its regular flagship smartphone. No mention of the difficulties involved in manufacturing flexible displays, the amount of available flexible capacity, the risk of some catastrophic issue that might further tarnish Samsung’s reputation, or the idea that such a device might not have appeal to consumers, but that the idea was to make it more attractive.
While the press goes on to cite competition from other potential flexible OLED device producers, many of whom have shown flexible OLED displays over the last 12 to 18 months, it does acknowledge that Samsung has considerably more experience in both high volume production of OLED displays, and ‘flexible’ (actually conformed) displays generally. We don’t doubt the prowess shown by other potential OLED producers in developing flexible display prototypes, but moving from building a few demos in an R&D lab to even producing on a small pilot line is a major step which few have both the resources and the expertise to accomplish. This gives Samsung et al a distinct advantage, should they decide to make such a move, which they will continue to use as a carrot to keep consumers focused on ‘potential’ Samsung products as the new Apple iPhone is released later this year.
Raw OLED Capacity - Rigid vs. Flexible - Source: SCMR LLC, OLED-A, Company Data
Available OLED Capacity - Rigid vs. Flex - Source: SCMR LLC, OLED-A, Company Data
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