Samsung Electronics and Chinese handset brands, including Xiaomi, Oppo and Vivo, all plan to launch foldable smartphones in the third quarter, heating competition in the segment, according to industry sources.
Samsung has decided not to launch its high-end Note series products in 2021, and instead will focus on promoting foldable smartphones, including its Galaxy Fold and Galaxy Z Flip lineups, said the sources.
Having already launched its Mix Fold priced around CNY10,000 (US$1,600), Xiaomi reportedly plans to release new foldable smartphones in the second half of 2021 with pricing likely below that for the Mix Fold, indicated the sources.
Oppo has unveiled its rollable concept model, the Oppo X 2021, and is likely to commercialize the device in the second half of the year, noted the sources.
Bolstered by the increasing availability of new models, shipments of foldable smartphones are likely to take off in 2022, pushing total global shipments to over 10 million units in the coming year, the sources estimated.
