Impressive detective work brings us news that Samsung cannot mass produce its game-changing Galaxy F folding smartphone. And, this will have a major impact on price and availability.
Why?
It all comes down to the folding display.
Since traditional makers of glass, like Corning, cannot produce flexible panels, Samsung had to develop a ‘polyimide transparent plastic film’ (a flexible and durable clear adhesive) to bond to the folding glass instead. Samsung’s choice of supplier will supply polyimide.
without doubt Apple reveals that Samsung has ignored major South Korean supplier Kolon Industries in favour of smaller Japanese company Sumitomo Chemical. The reason samsung gave was : “they could meet small supply orders” whereas Kolon is focused on mass-market.
And, we all know, production scale decides price. The more you build of something, the greater the scale of economy (and profit margins) because Galaxy F looks set to hit the market for an eye-watering $2,000.
But not all is lost.
The most interesting point to the Galaxy F launch (despite repeated delays), is Samsung’s confidence in the phone. CEO DJ Koh (Samsung’s Mobile Division ) has been vocal in recent months saying “It’s time to deliver” also stressing the company wants to be first to market.
Any Apple fan will tell you, being first to market is far less important than bringing the product to market when it’s fully perfected.With Samsung hinting the Galaxy F could be unveiled as early as this November, company entitled to benefit of the doubt. And Apple says Samsung has laid the groundwork to use Kolon as a mass-market producer for future generations, can the Galaxy F impress as much in reality as it does on paper.
Until then, the Galaxy S10 is where consumers should really focus their interest. With Dj Koh promising “significant upgrades”, and leaks revealing everything from a shape change, triple rear camera and ultrasonic in-display reader to 5G support with true Face ID rival, it is this 10th-anniversary phone which really has the potential to shake-up the market.
Especially while Samsung continues to work out the conners in its foldable phone…
