(CNN Business)Samsung is still betting on a future where smartphones fold in half. But first it must convince users that's a future they want. At its annual Unpacked event on Wednesday, Samsung will focus on its foldable smartphones instead of its flagship Note devices -- despite lackluster sales for foldable models and a PR crisis in 2019 concerning earlier versions breaking. Samsung (SSNLF) announced two new foldable smartphones coming later this month: the Galaxy Z Fold3 5G, a smartphone that opens outward like a book to form a tablet, and the clamshell-like Galaxy Z Flip3 5G, with a design reminiscent of flip phones from the early 2000s. While the company dropped the prices for its third-generation foldables, these products will still cost buyers at least four figures. Samsung said the Z Fold3 and Flip3 are slimmer, lighter, more durable and water resistant than its previous foldable models. These improvements follow hiccups in earlier versions that couldn't handle drops, dust and water, and presented significant issues with the screen. The devices also feature new ways to multitask, support for the Note's signature S Pen and an under-screen camera -- yes, a camera that lives under the screen that could someday spell the end of the hated notch. Even with those updates, Samsung has a long hill to climb. According to data from market research firm Canalys, Samsung shipped just 257, 000 foldable phones in the three months ending in June, compared with nearly 58 million non-foldable phones. The company's offerings make up 66% of the total 3. 4 million foldable devices shipped since 2019. As Ben Stanton, research manager at Canalys, puts it: "It is still niche... but Samsung envisions this as a new paradigm for the industry -- with itself at the center. "Samsung also may not have had much of a choice this year. The company has been hit with a reported delay in Note manufacturing due to the global chip shortage. / (A spokesperson told CNN Business the company's decision to focus Unpacked on foldables was unrelated to the shortage. )Samsung touted the Z Fold3 as more durable and dependable than its predecessors. Its 7. 6-inch Infinity Flex display is layered to protect against daily wear and tear and features scratch resistant Gorilla Glass. The outer frame is made of 10% stronger aluminum than previous models, and the infamous hinge, where the smartphone folds, is designed with shorter internal bristles to better repel dust and other particles. Those features could be key to building up trust in what is still a new design. In 2019, some early reviewers of its first foldable phone, the Galaxy Fold, reported flickering and broken displays and a screen bulge. Even after its official launch was delayed for months to address the issues, user reviews were mixed. But at least one big obstacle remains for wider adoption: the price.
All data is taken from the source: http://cnn.com
Article Link: https://www.cnn.com/2021/08/11/tech/samsung-galaxy-z-fold3-flip3/index.html
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