According to The news of Korean media on March 21, TCL Huaxing Optoelectronics is ready to supply UTG cover folding mobile phone panels for Motorola's third-generation Razr folding machine.
If Huaxing Optoelectronics successfully supplies AMOLED folding screens using UTG cover panels, this will mean that the monopoly pattern of UTG folding AMOLED screens for Samsung displays will be broken. Huaxing Optoelectronics has provided foldable panels for its predecessor, the second generation. This time, it seems that they will be offering foldable panels with UTG covers.
However, the release of Motorola's third-generation folding phone has the potential to be postponed until next year rather than this year. In the process, Motorola seems unlikely to replace its cover material supplier.
Motorola's third-generation foldable phone is expected to come in clamshell form, such as Samsung's Galaxy Z Flip. It is expected to compete with the Galaxy Z Flip 4 when it goes on sale this year.
It is understood that this year, Google, OPPO, Vivo and several foldable mobile phone manufacturers have adopted Samsung monitors with foldable panels of UTG covers. Until recently, however, it was unclear which company would offer a paired UTT panel for Motorola's new foldable phone.
Previously, Huaxing Optoelectronics acquired Samsung Display's liquid crystal display (LCD) factory in Suzhou, China, and Samsung Display is also the second largest shareholder of Huaxing Optoelectronics.
Xiaomi's foldable phone Mix Fold Photo: Xiaomi
Huaxing Optoelectronics also provides a foldable panel for Xiaomi's first foldable phone, the Mi Mix Fold. Kolon supplies CPI covers.
However, the results do not appear to be satisfactory. Xiaomi has chosen the Samsung display as the supplier of foldable panels for the "Mix Fold 2" that will be released this year. It is said that Samsung Display's UTG will also be included here.
In any case, it seems that we will have to wait until after the release of the phone to know whether TCL Huaxing will provide UTG for foldable phones this year.
UTG is a technology that Samsung displays have been polishing for a long time because it is difficult to obtain high specification surface quality and uniform thickness. It is expected that it will take longer for domestic companies to reach a meaningful level of technology.