Samsung and Huawei are reportedly preparing for a new rollable and foldable push

What do you want to know

• Huawei is reportedly creating a “tri-fold” phone that could go to market in the “first half” of 2024.
• The report states that Samsung is developing a “rollable” foldable phone, although the company said in 2022 that it had no plans to develop such a device.
• According to reports, OPPO and Vivo have pulled out of the foldable device business due to a “significant” decline in their market share.

A new report says Samsung and Huawei are stepping up efforts to create new foldable models as their competitors bid farewell.

According to Hankyung (Korean), Chinese source claims Huawei is starting to “mass produce” a “tri-fold” device, which folds twice to form a “Z” (via SamMobile). The source adds that Huawei’s trifold phone has a 10-inch screen when fully opened.

Speculation suggests that Huawei is trying to target the PC and tablet market simultaneously with this new foldable design. The Chinese equipment manufacturer is also seeking to regain first place on its national territory, dominated by the Apple iPhone.

The source indicates that this new device from Huawei could be released during the “first half” of 2024.

On the other hand, the report states that Samsung has developed a “device with a rollable screen.” However, there are rumors that Samsung might be interested in a three-pronged device similar to what its Chinese competitor is preparing.

Speaking of China, OPPO and Vivo have reportedly abandoned the foldable device business. The catalyst behind this move is said to be due to a “significant” drop in the foldable market share of both respective companies in 2023. As for the former, OPPO launched its Find N3 and N3 Flip 2023 globally in October with a 7.8-inch screen and a 6.8-inch screen. internal display, respectively.

That said, neither company has indicated plans to stop development of foldable devices, and the well-received OnePlus Open was co-developed by OPPO, so take this with a grain of salt.

While little is still known about Huawei’s supposed tri-fold device, the company is rumored to have a new foldable on the way. A company insider said on Weibo that the device is codenamed “LEM” and that a conference is expected to serve as a showcase and launch for the phone in February. The device should be “compact”, resembling that of the Pocket S of 2022.

The device is also expected to be exclusive to China.

For Samsung, the idea of ​​a “rollable” foldable is not surprising. The Korean OEM presented such technology at CES 2024 and was simply described as “a unique device”. The company also showed off a prototype In&Out Flip that can be folded 360 degrees. However, it remains to be seen whether this report holds true for a potential Samsung rollable foldable, given that the company has denied having any interest in the idea in 2022.

According to Samsung, a slider phone would face limitations that would affect the quality of the screen surface. Additionally, the company said it would rather focus on creating good quality foldable phones than trying to force a rollable phone to create a new market.