It seems like Google is all set in order to start the mass production of its first foldable phone. Notably, the same has been rescheduled twice to the third quarter of this year. While the overall specifications of Google’s foldable phones project are not much varied compared to those of previous plans. Google is more inclined to focus on the completeness of its product. Subsequently, product differentiation is not expected to be easy.
As per the industry’s recent news, Google is strategically planning to initiate its mass production of parts. It includes foldable phone panels. This is set to be started in the third quarter of the year. It is also known that Samsung Display suppose to work on the project with Google. They planning to make a foldable phone panel around July or August respectively.
While the Google foldable phone that has been presently made by Samsung Display. It has an internal screen of 7.57 inches and an external screen of 5.78 inches. It is noted, that this same as the screen size of the product developed last year. The in-folding method, through which it folds both screens inside. Also, the application of ultra-thin glass (UTG) to the cover window is the same as the earlier plan.
On the other hand, the overall product shape of Google foldable is very much similar to the Samsung Galaxy Fold series. Concurrently, the support for the stylus (S Pen) function, which is the USP of Galaxy Z Fold will be applied to Google’s foldable phone. Since Samsung Electronics‘ smartphone division has deliberately built a solid portfolio in order to support the S Pen function. Additionally, the foldable phone development project that was scheduled by Google last year has no S Pen functionality.
Google’s foldable phone is expected to be difficult to differentiate
For this reason, Google’s foldable phone is expected to be difficult to differentiate. Samsung Display, which is the only one that is mass-producing foldable phone panels at a significant level, can apply the latest specifications to Samsung Electronics’ foldable phones and sell panels with lower specifications to other customers. At the same time, the ability of set makers to design products is also a problem.
The Google foldable phone project until last year had no plans to place the latest organic light emitting diode (OLED) technology. The same has already been used by Samsung in the predecessor Galaxy Z Fold 3, a way time back.
Hence, in November last year, when this came to know that Google foldable phone project had been postponed again. The domestic market research firm DSCC predicted that Google foldable phones are going to be less competitive compared to those Samsung foldable phones which had already performed great in the market.