Samsung on Tuesday announced the launch of foldable smartphone called Galaxy Z Fold2 in around 40 markets, including the US and South Korea.
The global foldable smartphone shipments will grow from under 1 million units in 2019 to 100 million by 2025, Strategy Analytics said in February 2020.
“High pricing, low display-yields and questionable durability are holding back the foldables market today, but those problems will be solved in the long-term,” Ville-Petteri Ukonaho, associate director at Strategy Analytics, said.
Samsung was the world’s number one foldable smartphone vendor in 2019, followed by China’s Huawei in second place. Samsung is top in Western regions, like the US, while Huawei is focusing on its home market of China.
“Rival brands, such as Motorola and TCL, will deliver their own new models in 2020 and look to grab a slice of the foldables pie. By 2025, every major player should have a foldables portfolio, including Apple,” Ken Hyers, director at Strategy Analytics, said.
The expensive Galaxy Fold phone
The 5G compatible phone will also be Samsung’s most expensive foldable, priced at $1,999 in the United States compared to $1,980 for the Galaxy Fold launched last year.
Samsung’s second-quarter smartphone sales plummeted 30 percent and South Korean tech giant ceded its position as the world’s biggest smartphone seller to Chinese rival Huawei Technologies, according to research firm Canalys.
Features of Galaxy Z Fold2
Samsung said its third foldable device has a 6.2-inch cover screen and a 7.6-inch main screen when unfolded.
Galaxy Z Fold2 will be available in two memory models — 12GB RAM+512GB and 12GB RAM+256GB internal storage — beginning with select markets.
The device in Mystic Black and Mystic Bronze colours will be available in around 40 markets, including the US and South Korea, on September 18 while pre-orders will begin from September 1.
The device will arrive in India this month and the price and availability will be announced at a later date.
“With the launch of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold2, we closely listened to user feedback to ensure we were bringing meaningful improvements to the hardware, while also developing new innovations to enhance the user experience,” said TM Roh, president and head of Mobile Communications Business, Samsung Electronics.
Galaxy Z Fold2 is Samsung’s third foldable smartphone after Galaxy Fold and Galaxy Z Flip.
The new device has a 10MP selfie camera and the rear camera system has three sensors — a 12MP Ultra Wide camera, a 12MP Wide-Angle camera and a 12MP Telephoto Camera along with up to 10X zoom.
The device runs Android 10 and has 4,500mAh battery along with fast-charging technology. It has one eSIM and one nano-SIM slot.
The device has Samsung Ultra Thin Glass on the 7.6-inch main screen, providing a premium and refined feel for the display. The device features the Flex Mode, allowing it to be used in halfway-open configurations like the Galaxy Z Flip.
It has minimised bezels and notch-less front camera and offers a 120Hz adaptable refresh rate for smooth scrolling and gaming.
The Galaxy Z Fold2 comes with the best dynamic sound available on a Galaxy device to date, the company said, with enhanced stereo effect and clearer sound provided by high-dynamic dual speakers.
The design is anchored by the Hideaway Hinge which fits seamlessly into the device body and enables free standing capabilities.
Galaxy Z Fold2 has sweeper technology, first introduced on the Galaxy Z Flip, within the gap between the body and hinge housing to repel dust and undesirable particles.
The Galaxy Z Fold2 pairs the Flex Mode with App Continuity feature to provide expanded usability, crossing the boundary between the Cover and Main Screen.
The innovative device can record hands-free video and keep the subject in focus even when it moves.
It offers a unique functionality where both the photographer and the subject can clearly see what is going on during the shot.
