Rollable LG device on display at CES 2021.
LG
Smartphones are currently at the same transformational level we’ve seen PCs go through over the last 10 years. While the PC category used to be defined by desktops and laptops, now PC has many different formats. These range from form factors such as Dell’s Optiplex 3090, which neatly and individually hide inside a monitor, to the sheer number of 2-in-1 laptops that separate or disassemble. moving into different shapes. Smartphones are already on a similar path of specialization and diversification. You’ll see it in phones like the CAT phone with FLIR sensors, or the several rugged smartphones from the likes of Zebra (and don’t forget the gaming phones from ASUS and Black Shark). These changes are a sign of a mature market.
Custom and previous customizable phones
These new smartphones are designed to be multi-purpose, although most people will prefer a method that they mostly use. For example, with recent packages like the Galaxy Z Fold or Huawei Mate Xs, you’ll find that you only need to fully unlock the phone about 40% of the time – most can and will do. of things to do in front of the phone. Opposite this is the Surface Duo, which has two internal displays that open like a book and can then be integrated into a traditional, single-display form factor. I applied for news that rollable phones are the new packages, but in reality they are just an evolution of the concept of customizable phones. We’ve seen phones that can be modified before, such as sliders and devices like the Sidekick (although these were mostly there because on-screen keyboards were sucking at the time and people wanted a keyboard true). There are currently two packages: the fold and the flip. Samsung is the only company that currently owns both, at least commercially. Motorola has the Razr 5G flip device but it doesn’t have a folding option.
The extension is on this to allow more than one fold or flip in a device with multiple hinge designs. Rollables expand on this idea by not having a hinge at all – instead, they use a motorized tool to remove the display (TCL and LG have such offers in the works) . The issue with these designs is that it will be difficult to maintain structural rigidity while they are fully ‘open’, and no one has yet maintained or used one. Rollables are still largely a dream, at least until someone tries to launch one commercially. Let’s not forget that although Samsung’s first package had to be recalled and relaunched due to technical issues, it eventually got it right. Mine has been going for over a year now.
The future of changeable phones
One core technology that has enabled flexible and rolled displays is the industry’s move toward OLED that allows flexible displays to be flexed or rolled up. However, glass technology has not advanced to the point where it can be fully flexible. As a result, many of these adaptable devices are much more prone to damage (and that doesn’t even account for the complex method itself). Samsung tried to address many of these concerns in the Galaxy Z Flip and Galaxy Z Fold 2 by improving the hinge hardware and adding glass elements to the phone’s display, but it is estimated that the -These devices in general are still more sensitive than the standard phone form factor. most use today. Future generations of these customizable phones (rollable, foldable, flippable, etc.) will have to address sustainability issues while at the same time improving pricing and refinement features.
I believe rollable displays will have a place once the market determines where they make the most sense and what they will ultimately cost. Currently, foldables are marketed as top products by companies like Huawei and Samsung, and cost anywhere between $ 1,300 and $ 2000 USD. Currently, most companies have foldables on their 2 right nownd generation machines and are queuing the 3rdrd a generation that promises to bring even more sophistication to the region. Affordable phones are coming this year, at least according to LG, and we’ll see more affordable packages from the likes of TCL and Samsung perhaps this year. I look forward to watching this smartphone diversification continue.
Published: My company, Moor Insights & Strategy, like all research and analysis companies, provides or provides analysis, analysis, consulting and / or consulting to many high-tech companies in the industry. I do not have equity positions with any of the companies listed in this column.