Foldable notebooks and tablets are already in development, confirms Samsung CEO

A Samsung launched on July 26th its latest line of folding smartphones, including the Galaxy z fold5, multitasking model that works as a tablet when the screen is unfolded, and the Galaxy z flip5, which folds vertically, in style "shell", and it's all full of style and personality.

During the event, held this year in South Korea, Roh tae-moon (TM Roh), president and leader of Mobile Experiences at Samsung Electronics, talked about the future of foldables and commented on the successes of the Z line. See below:

The success of the Galaxy Z line

The foldable smartphone is a promising product. TM Roh confirmed that the company sold nearly 10 million units of them last year, with the Galaxy z fold4 e flip4, representing 40% and 60%, respectively. And for 2023, the Samsung expect to sell 50% more.

“When we reach the mark of 100 million units sold per year cumulatively, which is expected by 2025, the foldable smartphone will have become a major player in the premium segment.”

TM Roh

The executive explains that, by 2025, the Samsung will reach the mark of 100 million units sold per year cumulatively.

This represents a $15 million gain in annual sales, which should keep Samsung as the leader in the folding market. And the expectation, according to IDC, is that more than 20 million folding smartphones will be sold in 2023, with the line Galaxy Z will represent three quarters of this total (75% of market share).

Roh also predicts that the foldables of Z line will overtake the series Galaxy S until 2025. The company is even prioritizing actions to popularize the format, with the expectation of building a solid consumer base in this segment. And this is really possible, if the pace of growth is maintained.

The bet on Flip5

Who followed the most recent Samsung UNPACKED must have noticed a very evident trend: the focus on Galaxy z flip5. The company's “cheapest foldable” was the one that gained the most obvious improvements, such as the large external screen, and has a strong design appeal, designed to please anyone who sees a style icon in the smartphone.

The model is not cheap – currently costing R$7.199 – but it represents the gateway for those who want to test a Samsung foldable smartphone for the first time. This year, it has a larger outer screen, reduced bezels, improved corners, and a new hinge that makes it fully closed when folded (no gaps).

TM Rh expects that, this year, the Galaxy z flip5 will further increase its dominance over the fold5, especially in South Korea.

“Foldable smartphone sales will soon represent 20% of all premium Galaxy models sold.”

TM Roh

Roh comments that the expectation is that 1 out of 3 premium smartphones of the Galaxy line sold in South Korea is a Galaxy Z. In the global market, "The sale of foldable smartphones will soon represent 20% of all models sold in the premium Galaxy line", says the executive.

Foldable Laptops and Tablets

But the future has everything to get even more interesting. During the interview in South Korea, TM Roh stated that Samsung is already developing new folding devices to take advantage of the trend and practicality of this type of technology.

“We are already developing new devices like notebooks and foldable tablets, and when they are ready to come to market, we will announce it.”

TM Roh

“We are already developing new devices like notebooks and foldable tablets, and when they are ready to come to market, we will announce”, stated Rohan. The information represents an evolution of the theme, since the Samsung dedicated an entire space during CES 2023, held in January this year, to the demonstration of folding screen formats that it will be manufacturing in the coming years.

However, there is still no set release date for these types of products. In any case, the use of the folding screen in devices such as tablets and notebooks can facilitate the transport of large screens, in a safer and more comfortable way.

Other companies, including, are already testing their formats. Lenovo already has a foldable tablet - Or Thinkpad X1 Fold – since 2020, and ASUS was the first to develop a folding notebook - Or Zenbook 17 FoldIn 2022.

It is expected that with the arrival of Samsung, this race in the development of foldable notebooks and tablets will accelerate even more.

View the event summary

Sources: GSMArena, IDC, Sammobile.

reviewed by Glaucon Vital in 7 / 8 / 23.