Swarajya Logo
Swarajya Logo
Politics States Economy Society Business Culture Infra Defence World Books Ideas Science Technology Heritage Archives Legal Movies Sports
  • Our Views
    Politics States Economy Society Business Culture Infra Defence World Books Ideas Science Technology Heritage Archives Legal Movies Sports
  • Magazine
  • Store

About Swarajya

Swarajya is a publication by Kovai Media Private Limited.

Swarajya - a big tent for liberal right of centre discourse that reaches out, engages and caters to the new India.

editor@swarajyamag.com

Useful Links

  • About Us
  • Subscriptions Support
  • Editorial Philosophy
  • Press Kit
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Code of Conduct
  • Plagiarism Policy
  • Refund & Cancellation Policy

Useful Links

  • About Us
  • Subscriptions Support
  • Editorial Philosophy
  • Press Kit
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Code of Conduct
  • Plagiarism Policy
  • Refund & Cancellation Policy

Participate

  • Contact Us
  • Write for us
  • Style Guide
  • Jobs

Stay Connected

  • Artboard 2 Copy 6Created with Sketch.
    Artboard 2 Copy 10Created with Sketch.
    Artboard 2 Copy 7Created with Sketch.
    Artboard 2 Copy 9Created with Sketch.
  • Andriod Logo
  • IOS Logo

Technology

Are Foldable Phones A Pricey Passing Fad — Or The Next Big Thing In Handsets?

Anand ParthasarathyFriday, August 4, 2023 10:55 am IST
Foldable phones currently available in India: Clockwise from top left: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5, Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5, Motorola Razr 40 Ultra, Oppo Find N2 Flip, Tecno Phantom V Fold.
Foldable phones currently available in India: Clockwise from top left: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5, Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5, Motorola Razr 40 Ultra, Oppo Find N2 Flip, Tecno Phantom V Fold.
Foldable phones currently available in India: Clockwise from top left: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5, Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5, Motorola Razr 40 Ultra, Oppo Find N2 Flip, Tecno Phantom V Fold.
  • The recent launch of Samsung’s latest Flip and Fold versions of its smartphone, has reignited the debate on whether this is something users want — or a pricey option for the well-heeled.
  • At least three other foldable phone brands are already available and another five are expected to launch in India soon.
  • Key elements like the hinge and the folding display screen continue to challenge designers.
  • In the early years of this century, when mobile phones still came with a physical keypad, the new, must-have design was a foldable flip-open phone, first unveiled by Motorola and then available from other leading makers like Nokia.

    A tiny display on the cover could display time and date. Flip the phone open and you find a larger display on the upper portion and the keyboard in the lower section.

    Now suddenly foldable phones are all the rage — but among the costliest handsets in the market — with many models with an asking price in the range of Rs 1 lakh to Rs 1.8 lakh. So, what has changed?

    An unfolded phone significantly increases  conventional display area. Photo Credit: Samsung
    An unfolded phone significantly increases  conventional display area. Photo Credit: Samsung
    An unfolded phone significantly increases conventional display area. Photo Credit: Samsung

    For starters, the definition of a foldable phone. The new smartphones come in two variants: flip phone and folding phone: The H-fold or flip phone functions much like the early keyboard-sporting phones — that is, you flip it open vertically. 

    The V-Fold or folding phone opens like a book to reveal a flexible display that extends across both ‘pages’ of the book. It also offers a smaller display on the ‘cover’.

    Samsung first launched the folding phone in 2019, leveraging the availability of flexible OLED or organic light emitting diode displays. 

    There were many complaints of displays cracking after a few fold-unfold operations — but the company has tried to solve the problem and has stuck with its basic design across almost annual launches. 

    On 26 July, at an event in Seoul, Korea, the company simultaneously launched its fifth iteration — Galaxy Z Fold 5 — as well as a flip version — Galaxy Z Flip 5.

    When unfolded, the 6.2 inch diagonal screen becomes 7.2 inches almost doubling the display area which is great for people who want to watch movies in a larger format or want to multitask, opening a spreadsheet in one corner while browsing in the other.

    The Fold 5 with a basic 12 GB of RAM and 256 GB of storage memory will set you back Rs 1.55 lakh, while a high-end 12GB/1 TB or 1000 GB combo is priced around Rs 1.85 lakh.

    Clearly, this is not a phone meant for the average user — and it is being marketed as a premium product for those who want to flaunt a visible differentiation.

    Samsung’s Flip format, Galaxy Z Flip 5 obviously does not have the advantage of a larger usable display, but on the plus side, you can operate the camera even when the phone is shut. The Galaxy Z Flip phone 5 starts at Rs 99,999, with a 3.4 inch external display and goes up to Rs 109,999 with bigger storage.

    Samsung is not alone in offering folding phones in India.

    The hinge of a folding phone has emerged as a critical element of the hardware. Photo Credit: Oppo.
    The hinge of a folding phone has emerged as a critical element of the hardware. Photo Credit: Oppo.
    The hinge of a folding phone has emerged as a critical element of the hardware. Photo Credit: Oppo.

    The Oppo Find N2 Flip was launched globally in May and is its first clamshell foldable device. The company claims this is the first device to offer the latest Google Android 14 Beta 1 updated operating system.

    It is available in India for Rs 89,999 for the 8GB/256 GB version and offers a large 3.26 inch outside display.

    The hinge has proved the Achilles Heel of many folding phones and Oppo says it has used aircraft grade steel plus polymer that ensures 4 lakh trouble-free folds.

    Also available in India is the Tecno Phantom V Fold phone with one of the largest displays — 7.85 inches for Rs 88,888, with 8GB RAM and 256 GB storage.

    Motorola retained its name Razr for their latest flip phone, an echo of the early 2000s. The Motorola Razr 40 Ultra has a main display when unfolded of 6.9 inches and an outside display of 3.6 inches.

    The 8GB/256 GB version costs Rs 89,999, but a more affordable Razr 40 is available for Rs 59,999, with the same RAM/storage combo but reduced camera specs, making this one of the more affordable flip phones today.

    More Folding Phones Coming

    Beyond these four brands that currently offer new generation foldable smartphones, at least another five have been announced and should be available by year-end, some with even larger displays.

    Prices stated are estimates at the 91Mobiles web portal. They include the Huawei Mate X3 with a 7.85 screen (Rs 156,499); The Vivo X Fold 2 with an 8.03 inch screen (Rs 107,490); the OnePlusV Fold with a 7.8 inch screen (Rs 98,290), the Honor Magic V2  with  7.9 inch screen (Rs 103,000) which was launched in China on 12 July and the Google Pixel with a 7.6 inch screen (Rs 147,490).

    Will Apple Join The Foldable Camp?

    The million-dollar question everyone is asking: Will Apple launch a foldable iPhone? If so, when?

    Market watchers like Counterpoint Research predict that Apple will debut its folding phone in 2025.

    But in an article last week, “Are Flip Phones back in Style” in USA Today, a tech columnist suggests: “No, Apple isn’t joining the fray. The country’s (ie USA’s) largest smartphone maker hasn’t shown much interest in foldables. So, it could be years – if ever – before it crashes Samsung’s party.”

    Not everyone agrees. Many look at Apple’s record of waiting till others launch new technologies (and make costly, early mistakes) before it steps in with a compelling improvement.

    The first folding phone gave Samsung many teething troubles with the flexible display. The hinge of any folding device has emerged as a mechanical challenge, especially if you want the two halves to lie flat. 

    The betting still is that even while the current generation of foldable phones evolve, Apple is cooking up a wow feature that will retain the loyalty of its core iPhone users.

    Meanwhile, in markets like India, a fold or flip smartphone, its compelling features notwithstanding, remains within the reach of just a tiny minority of buyers.

    According to the India-based technology analyst Faisal Kawoosa of TechArc, fold and flip phones together will contribute to 1.8 per cent of smart phone revenues in 2023. Some 6.35 lakh of these phones will be sold and will account for just 0.5 per cent of volumes sold. 

    However, he suggests that foldable phones will sell a million in 2025 and 2 million in 2028.

    Interestingly, Kawoosa defines an ‘affordable’ foldable phone as something selling for less than Rs 80,000. Affordable and Rs 80,000 seem to be a contradiction in terms, in a country when millions still make do with a feature phone without a touch display because they can’t afford more than Rs 2,000-Rs 3,000 for a handset and where a 5G smartphone for around Rs 10,000 still challenges domestic makers.

    So, in the foreseeable future, get ready to see the rich and the restless, the bold and the beautiful in India, flaunt their foldable phones while the rest of us remain content, unfolded and unflipped.

    Tags
    Apple
    Samsung
    Nokia
    Motorola

    Comments ↓

    An Appeal...


     

    Dear Reader,

     

    As you are no doubt aware, Swarajya is a media product that is directly dependent on support from its readers in the form of subscriptions. We do not have the muscle and backing of a large media conglomerate nor are we playing for the large advertisement sweep-stake.

     

    Our business model is you and your subscription.  And in challenging times like these, we need your support now more than ever.

     

    We deliver over 10 - 15 high quality articles with expert insights and views. From 7AM in the morning to 10PM late night we operate to ensure you, the reader, get to see what is just right.

     

    Becoming a Patron or a subscriber for as little as Rs 1200/year is the best way you can support our efforts.

    Get Swarajya in your inbox.


    Magazine


    Swarajya Magazine Cover Image
    Merchandise

    Merchandise


      Politics

      'Cash For Query' Row: Ethics Panel Report Recommending Mahua Moitra's Expulsion To Be Tabled In Lok Sabha Today

      'Cash For Query' Row: Ethics Panel Report Recommending Mahua Moitra's Expulsion To Be Tabled In Lok Sabha Today

      Swarajya Staff
      2h

      'Crooked View That Bhartiya Culture Can Be Promoted Only When Hindu Marries Muslim': Kerala Muslim Leader As He Slams CPM

      Bhuvan Krishna
      18h

      No Question Of ‘Equitable Treatment’ To US, Canada In Alleged Assassination Plots Against Khalistani Terrorists: EAM Jaishankar

      Swarajya Staff
      21h

      Economy

      Enough Of Big Bang Reforms? No Major Announcements In Next Budget, "Wait Till July 2024", Says Nirmala Sitharaman

      Enough Of Big Bang Reforms? No Major Announcements In Next Budget, "Wait Till July 2024", Says Nirmala Sitharaman

      Nishtha Anushree
      20h

      ₹58,378 Crores! Govt Set To Open Taps On Additional Welfare Spending With 2024 In Mind

      Swarajya News Staff
      1d

      India Anticipated To Be Fastest Growing In Next Three Years, Set to Become Third Largest Economy By 2030: S&P

      Nishtha Anushree
      3d

      Defence

      Indian Army Sets Sight On Future: Developing AI And Cybersecurity Tech; Can Now Interpret Enemy's Electronic Order Of Battle

      Indian Army Sets Sight On Future: Developing AI And Cybersecurity Tech; Can Now Interpret Enemy's Electronic Order Of Battle

      Swarajya Staff
      43m

      Indian Air Force's C-17 Globemaster-III Transport Aircraft Successfully Drops DRDO-Developed Heavy Airdrop Platform

      Swarajya Staff
      2h

      India's Strategic Forces Command Conducts Training Launch Of Agni-1 Short Range Ballistic Missile

      Ujjwal Shrotryia
      16h

      World

      PM Modi Can't Be Forced Into Acting Against National Interests Of India: Putin

      PM Modi Can't Be Forced Into Acting Against National Interests Of India: Putin

      Swarajya Staff
      3h

      "Would Want Them To Face Legal System": MEA On Pakistan-Based Terrorists Being Killed By 'Unknown Gunmen'

      Nishtha Anushree
      18h

      Indian Ambassador Met Eight Navy Veterans Sentenced To Death In Qatar, Two Appeal Hearings Till Now: MEA

      Nishtha Anushree
      19h

      Culture

      ‘Garba Of Gujarat’ Declared As Intangible Heritage By UNESCO

      ‘Garba Of Gujarat’ Declared As Intangible Heritage By UNESCO

      Arun Kumar Das
      1d

      Gujarat's Garba Is Now In List Of UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity

      Swarajya News Staff
      1d

      'Celebrate At Home': Champat Rai Of Ram Janambhoomi Trust Urges Hindus Not To Visit Ayodhya On 22 January

      Bhuvan Krishna
      3d
      States

      infrastructure


      Arun Kumar Das
      1

      Make-In-India Initiatives Are Driving Growth In Manufacturing Sector, Says Ashwini Vaishnaw

      3 Mins Read
      Arun Kumar Das
      2

      Further Delay In Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train Project As Japanese Consortium Seeks More Time To Submit Rolling Stock Bids

      2 Mins Read
      Amit Mishra
      3

      Gujarat Government Partners With AAI For Building 11 New Airports, PM Modi's Hometown Also Under Consideration

      2 Mins Read
      Amit Mishra
      4

      Mumbai: Six Bidders Evince Interest To Build Rs 16,621 Crore Coastal Road Extension, Linking Versova To Dahisar

      2 Mins Read