Xiaomi, Oppo Eye Foldable Phone Market As Samsung Preps Galaxy F

The foldable phone market is shaping up to be a very competitive market. Chinese phone makers Xiaomi and Oppo are reportedly the new aspiring members of the market, since the two companies are currently planning their own foldable handsets

Industry sources told The Investor Monday that Xiaomi and Oppo are having a series of discussions with South Korean parts makers as they prepare their own versions of the foldable smartphone. The two firms are hoping to release their foldable handsets next year.

No release dates were mentioned, so it’s not clear as to when Xiaomi and Oppo are introducing their foldable devices. Right now Samsung and Huawei are the two tech companies competing to launch the world’s first foldable smartphone.

In May, it was revealed that Huawei was trying to one-up Samsung by debuting its foldable phone ahead of the latter’s foldable handset, which is dubbed the Galaxy F. Huawei wanted to launch its device this coming November because Samsung was planning to introduce its phone early next year.

Unlike Samsung and Huawei that are developing in-folding phones with large screens, Xiaomi is working on an out-folding device with a smaller screen. On the other hand, there is no information about the folding mechanism and the display size of Oppo’s phone.

Samsung and Huawei are making their foldable phones using display panels from Samsung Display and China’s BOE, respectively. As for Xiaomi and Oppo, both are believed to obtain panel supply from Chinese makers and LG Display.

Among all of the companies that are joining the nascent market, Samsung is said to be the most prepared. However, it is taking its time in ensuring the quality of the Galaxy F. But at the same time, it is eager to be the first one to introduce a commercially available foldable smartphone.

“Samsung is taking exceptionally great care about the phone launch that has already been delayed several times. The firm also doesn’t want to hand over the ‘world’s first title’ to its Chinese rivals,” an industry source said on condition of anonymity.