Horizontally, Vertically, Unfolded... The Smartphone 'Form Factor War' Heats Up

Foldable, Dual Screen, and Rotating Screen
New Form Factor Smartphones Set to Launch in the Second Half of the Year

Galaxy Z Fold2 Rendering Image

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Jinju] A series of smartphones with new form factors will be released in the second half of this year. From foldable phones that fold and unfold the screen, to dual-screen phones connecting two displays, to smartphones that rotate the vertical screen horizontally, the 'form factor war' is heating up.

According to the industry on the 24th, Samsung Electronics' third foldable phone, Galaxy Z Fold2, will be unveiled at the August Unpacked event and is expected to be released in late September or October. LG Electronics' 5G strategic smartphone with a horizontally rotating display, the 'LG Wing (tentative name),' will be unveiled in October. Microsoft's dual-screen device, Surface Duo, recently obtained FCC certification and is expected to be released within the year.

The Galaxy Z Fold2 is receiving the most anticipation among the five Galaxy 5 series to be unveiled at Unpacked. To avoid repeating durability issues from the previous model, Samsung Electronics is reportedly thoroughly inspecting the display and other components. The display has grown larger, and the notch front camera has been replaced with a punch-hole, allowing for a more immersive screen experience. The main screen expands from 7.3 inches to 7.7 inches, and the cover screen increases from 4.6 inches to 6.23 inches. It is expected to be equipped with a Snapdragon 865+ chipset, 12GB RAM, and a triple camera with up to 64 million pixels. It is projected to be priced between 2.13 million and 2.37 million KRW.

LG Wing rendering image (Source=Electronic Times)

MS's Surface Duo

LG Electronics is preparing the 'LG Wing,' reminiscent of the horizontal Bongeun phone released 16 years ago. It connects a 4-inch auxiliary screen to the 6.8-inch main screen, allowing use like a traditional dual screen, but when the main screen rotates, it transforms into a T-shape. LG Electronics is taking a bold step by adding innovation to the 'dual screen,' a practical alternative with less cost burden compared to Samsung Electronics' foldable phones.

Microsoft is also preparing to release a dual-screen phablet (a combination of phone and tablet) within the year. The Surface Duo connects two 5.6-inch screens with a hinge, allowing the two displays to unfold into a large 8.3-inch dual-screen device. After several setbacks in the smartphone market insisting on its own OS, Microsoft is making a comeback with an Android-based mobile device. Meanwhile, Apple is reported to have obtained patents related to a dual-screen iPhone similar to the Surface Duo and is developing a prototype.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.