Folding mobiles are here to stay. After a timid start by Samsung and Huawei, which competed in 2019 to publicize the first models, other brands such as Motorola have joined this trend. There are already several fully functional models on the market and with which we can take the first steps, in this new way of understanding the smartphone universe.
Folding mobiles have been a breath of fresh air in an industry that has been involved in the same type of product for years. Innovation has taken place in numbers and in enhancing hardware, but the concept of the smartphone has remained unchanged for too long. The concept of folding smartphone has come to break this stagnation and expand the possibilities of interaction.
As a test and to see how they fit users, manufacturers are launching different ways to see folding technology. The common denominator is a flexible OLED panel, but the way of understanding its application varies from one brand to another and from one model to another. Let’s take a look at the models currently available on the market , looking at the bets of each brand.
Samsung
Galaxy Fold
Samsung presented on February 20, 2019 the Galaxy Fold , this smartphone works as a smartphone to use when folded, but it becomes a tablet when opened. When the Galaxy Fold is in folded mode, it offers a 4.6 screen. However, when opening the device it can reach 7.3 inches.
The Galaxy Fold has cameras on both the folded and open sides of the device. It has a triple camera configuration for the folded device with sensors of 16 megapixels + 12 megapixels + 12 megapixels, and a selfie camera for the second screen with the folded device, to which must be added two other 10 megapixel front cameras + 8 megapixels. Under the hood we find the Snapdragon 855 accompanied by 12 GB of RAM and 512 of internal storage. The terminal is for sale on the Samsung website at a price of 2,020 euros.
Galaxy Z Flip
It is Samsung’s second bet in the world of folding mobiles. This time the design changes radically. The Galaxy Z Flip is a phone with a 6.7-inch AMOLED screen and FullHD + resolution and that doubles in the middle of the shell-style mobile phone from years ago. This also offers a secondary 1.1-inch screen to stay on top of notifications without opening the main screen.
It is a powerful device with a Snapdragon 855+ brain that is accompanied by 8 GB of RAM and 256 GB of internal storage. It has two 12 megapixel rear cameras and a 10 megapixel selfie camera. The battery reaches 3,300 mAh and has a fast charge of 15W and wireless 9W. Its price is 1,500 euros.
Huawei
Mate X
Huawei’s concept is different from Samsung’s. In the Mate X we have the same screen when it is folded or unfolded. This folding offers three display modes: we have a 6.38-inch screen, but when we flip it, we have a 6.6-inch screen. When we open the device we have an 8-inch diagonal. Its brain is the Kirin 980 and it offers a 5G compatible version. It has 8 GB of RAM and 512 GB of storage. Its battery reaches 4,500 mAh with 55W fast charge. Its price is 2,299 euros.
Mate XS
We are facing a recent update of the Huawei Mate X. In essence we are facing the same device. However, Huawei has learned from past mistakes and improved on what the first model failed. The most important thing has to do with the terminal hinge, which has now been completely redesigned to make the phone more robust and durable. We also found changes at the hardware level, since it now has the powerful Kirin 990 5G with support for more bands and an improved graphics chip. Its price is 2,600 euros.
Motorola
Motorola Razr
Motorola’s first foldable mobile is a risky bet, but one made under the strong foundations of the brand’s history and the immeasurable success of the Razr series, which broke sales records at the start of the millennium. In this case, a mobile phone with a 6.2-inch main screen is offered that folds to reveal an additional 2.7-inch exterior panel . Inside we find the powerful Snapdragon 710 with 6 GB of RAM and 128 GB of internal memory. Its battery is 2,510 mAh and it has a 16-megapixel rear camera and a 5-megapixel front camera. Its price is 1,599 euros.
Royole
Flexpai
This unknown Chinese company surprised its own and strangers by launching the first commercial folding mobile phone in history. It is a rougher and less polished device than the bets of Samsung and Huawei. When it is open it has a 7.8-inch screen and inside it is the powerful Snapdragon 855, accompanied by 6 or 8 GB of RAM , with versions of 128 and 256 GB. It has two 20 + 16 megapixel cameras and a 3,970 mAh battery. Its price for change is approximately 1,600 euros.
Flexpai 2
The company has already released its second model. A terminal more worked on the aspect of the hinge, which has the same screen size. However, we find new things to take into account, since it integrates the new and powerful Snapdragon 865. This terminal does not yet have a release date and, like the first generation, it will be almost impossible to see it commercialized in Europe.
