Recently, Samsung released a new generation of S-series flagship Galaxy S24 series. Now, with the launch of this generation of new machines, there is also new news about Samsung's subsequent new product development. The latest report mentions that Samsung Display may take a different approach to manufacturing the bezels of its foldable OLED panels this year.
Samsung Display is considering using inkjet printing technology to create the bezels of the new panels that will be used in Samsung's foldable phones later this year, sources said. Until last year, Samsung Display used the supplier's micro-drying process (MDD) when making the bezels of foldable OLED panels. The MDD technology requires pre-fabrication of a film with ink before cutting it into the desired frame shape.
The report mentions that the film made using inkjet printing technology is much longer than that of MDD. In other words, more frames can be cut from the same film in actual production. Based on this, Samsung will further reduce the cost of folding screen devices and bring the possibility of reducing the pricing of devices.
It is reported that the bezel of the OLED panel is used to hide the internal circuitry and components of the panel. Encapsulating the panel in a film protects it from oxygen and water. Installing the frame and laminating the ultra-thin glass on the panel completes the entire production process. And for a long time, Samsung has been asking Samsung Display to reduce the manufacturing cost of foldable OLED panels. This also provides more corroborating information for the claims mentioned in the latest revelations.
Combined, this is not the first time that there has been news that Samsung may reduce the pricing of folding screen devices. In a previous revelation from IT House, it was mentioned: "In order to further consolidate its market share in the foldable mobile phone market and actively explore the Chinese market, Samsung plans to launch an entry-level Galaxy Z Fold6 folding screen mobile phone this year." This is the first time that Samsung Electronics is considering developing an entry-level folding screen phone, but Samsung believes that there are many uncertainties in the business environment this year, and is worried that the launch of an entry-level folding screen phone will have a negative impact on Samsung Electronics' profitability. Based on this, the new generation of Samsung's Galaxy Z series devices is expected to bring the Galaxy Z Fold6, Galaxy Z Flip6, and an entry-level Galaxy Z Fold6 phone.
According to the data, in recent years, the folding screen market has gradually expanded, and more and more manufacturers have entered the market. Although the overall smartphone market performance has been declining year by year, the performance of folding screen devices has bucked the trend, and the related development forecast is also very positive. According to a report by Counterpoint Research, "as many as 64% of smartphone users who have spent more than $400 are considering folding phones in their next purchase plan, 20% of them have made it clear that they will buy a folding phone, and another 44% are weighing both a straight board and a folding phone." At the same time, the report also shows that "Android users are more interested in folding screen phones, reaching 71%, compared to 58% of iOS users." In the survey, existing folding screen mobile phone users are more willing to buy folding phones, and most of them are willing to continue to use this emerging mobile phone form. With such market performance, it is easy to understand that Samsung continues to expand its lineup of folding screen devices and is backward compatible with more positioning ranges.