Order the just-launched Galaxy Fold7, Flip7, or Watch8 Classic – New deal Galaxy S25 Ultra
Last updated: April 3rd, 2020 at 05:10 UTC+02:00
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The Ultra Thin Glass and the foldable OLED panel used in the Galaxy Z Flip are developed by Samsung Display, the South Korean firm's display manufacturing arm. Samsung Display is the major shareholder in Dowoo Insys, which manufactures foldable glass using German firm SCHOTT's base material. The Ultra Thin Glass is then merged with the foldable OLED panel, which is then supplied to Samsung Electronics as a single module.
It is now being reported that Samsung Electronics, the business division which makes smartphones, is planning to manufacture foldable glass on its own. There are two reasons why the company wants in-house development of foldable glass: better performance and lower price. Samsung Electronics reportedly wants a more durable foldable glass, which is at least twice as thick as the current version of Ultra Thin Glass. The company reportedly thinks that its current supplier can't make such a foldable glass.
Moreover, each Ultra Thin Glass panel used in the Galaxy Z Flip costs $40, while the tempered glass used in other phones cost just $2. Samsung Electronics wants to improve the yield of foldable glass and reduce the manufacturing cost. The company has reportedly started working with various foldable glass manufacturing companies for the development of foldable glass. If Samsung Electronics succeeds in making a relatively thicker and cheaper foldable glass, it would be a game-changer.
Samsung Display plans to supply Ultra Thin Glass panels to other smartphone manufacturers who are planning to launch foldable phones. The Galaxy Fold 2, which is expected to be released later this year, will reportedly use Ultra Thin Glass as well.
Only time will tell if Samsung Electronics succeeds in making better foldable glass than Samsung Display. Still, we will surely see a tough competition between the two companies in the future.
Asif is a computer engineer turned technology journalist. He has been using Samsung phones since 2004, and his current smartphone is the Galaxy S21 Ultra. He loves headphones, mechanical keyboards, and PC hardware. When not writing about technology, he likes watching crime and science fiction movies and TV shows.
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