Yesterday, Samsung introduced a pair of its folding phones, the Galaxy Z Fold3 and Z Flip3. You can see by the number that this is the 3rd generation of these devices (the Z Flip3 is actually only the second). And how many jigsaw puzzles does Apple have? Zero. Of course, we don't know the development procedures of the American company, but isn't it time to really ask why we don't have a similar device here yet?
Samsung shows that these devices are really functional. Both innovations run on the Snapdragon 888 (basic, not with the plus name), the Z Fold3 also has a selfie camera in the display, and the Z Flip3 has a really eye-catching price. The changes are not drastic, because why do something different when the attractiveness is guaranteed in advance - after all, you won't find many similar devices, and of course none in the form of perhaps the biggest competition.
Sympathetic changes
The bodies are aluminum, the folding displays are specially reinforced, the frame around the main display has become even smaller. This is generation after generation, not like the iPhone 12, when we got it after three years and we have to wait four years for the cutout to be reduced.
The Fold 3 received support for the S Pen, which makes it a truly usable tablet, as the internal foldable display has a diagonal of 7,6". In comparison, the iPad mini has a 7,9" display and Apple provides compatibility with the first generation Apple Pencil on it. Add to that the fact that the new product has a 120Hz display refresh rate and can display different content on each of its halves. Paradoxically, this Samsung phone resembles an iPad more than it might seem.
However, Samsung does not push its innovations to the technological peak, which can be seen especially in the processor and cameras, which have not jumped between generations. From a personal point of view, I see it as a rather sympathetic step. Apple tries to keep its iPhones better and better and the best, but how about taking it a little differently? What to do with a new device that may not be the best in the field of mobile phones, but the best in the field of "folding tablet phones"? Sure, PR would have to try a little, but Apple can do that, so it shouldn't be a problem. In addition, it has no competition in terms of performance, it could also fit the existing cameras from the iPhone 12.
Tough pricing policy
Of course, there is still a price. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G will cost CZK 256 in the basic 46GB variant. But the previous generation started at CZK 999. So it can be seen that if you want, you can. The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip54 model then starts at CZK 999 for the 3GB variant. Last year it was CZK 26. Here the difference is even greater and even more pleasing.
This is clearly a gauntlet thrown in Apple's direction. If the latter does not react as soon as possible, Samsung will gain even more popularity, because this pricing strategy will work in its favor in terms of expanding the awareness of jigsaw puzzles to a wide range of users, and it will no longer be a device for the chosen ones (at least, if we are talking about the "clamshell" model ).
This confusion is completely wrong. Apple has never followed what Samsung has on offer. A foldable iPhone doesn't really fit into his focus, and it's a mistake to think he'd release something like the iPhone SE in a foldable version. It doesn't make economic sense either. It can be seen that Samsung itself is not putting everything into it, because then it simply wouldn't sell. The price of the top models of the iPhone is already quite high, and a possible folding version would not be able to stand up to the shareholders in terms of price and financial results. Let Samsung imagine a 3rd generation folding phone, but does it have a market? Have any of you seen anyone with a phone like this? I predict a fate similar to that of 3D TVs. To see the trend of the times in foldable phone displays is perhaps just the wishful thinking of the author of the article.
It may make sense, but only when folding displays makes sense.
At one time, there were controversies about the meaning of touch screens, and no one really wanted to go into production. Everyone saw it as a fad. Until a meaningful use appeared. Then everyone could break up..
And it will be the same with the folding display. When a meaningful use is found, then it will be expanded. Until then, it will just be a technological fad.
Samsung has a 3rd generation jigsaw puzzle? Fact? I haven't seen one yet. As? Oh, sure, no one cares about them. So the question is clear - Who wants a mobile phone with a foldable display? Okay, so if no one, then why should Apple be behind? I think that answers all the questions.