Huawei Mate X and Samsung Galaxy Fold: Are foldable phones next big thing?

Smartphone makers are expected to foray into this new mobile category of foldable device

Chinese smartphone manufacturer Huawei on February 24 introduced a foldable mobile device called the Huawei Mate X at the Mobile World Congress 2019. The device was introduced soon after South Korean electronics major Samsung showcased its foldable mobile device, the Galaxy Fold. Though other smartphone makers are also expected to foray in to this new category of foldable device, it makes one wonder if this is going to be the next big thing in the smartphone domain? Let’s find out:

What are foldable mobile devices

There is a long history of clamshell form factor devices. For example the Moto Razr phone was once a fad but the  new form of foldable devices are nothing like previous generation phones. Unlike the conventional clamshell design where the screen is on one side and most of the hardware on another, the new category of mobile devices have a foldable screen, giving them a distinct identity.

Why foldable design

As seen at the unveiling event of the Samsung Galaxy Fold and Huawei Mate X, the foldable mobile design primarily aims at providing more screen space. Therefore, the foldable phones have a dual identity of a smartphone (folded) and a tablet (unfolded). One of the benefits of this design language is that it provides a new user experience with enhanced multitasking support.

Whatever way you look at it, the flexible FullView OLED Display gives you an unparalleled view. #HUAWEIMateX #ConnectingTheFuture #MWC2019 pic.twitter.com/6ktzyivsWg

— Huawei Mobile (@HuaweiMobile) February 24, 2019

Whatever way you look at it, the flexible FullView OLED Display gives you an unparalleled view. 

Even though the Galaxy Fold and Mate X are the first to feature a foldable design, the two are not ready for a commercial roll out yet. These device designs may be final, but the operating system (Google Android) and apps ecosystem are still not optimised for a foldable design.

Ten years after the first Galaxy, we didn’t just change the shape of the phone, we changed the shape of tomorrow. #GalaxyFold
Learn more: https://t.co/gYYGF4ZvdJ pic.twitter.com/C8s0Jxdhkz

— Samsung Mobile (@SamsungMobile) February 20, 2019

What the Galaxy Fold offers

This foldable mobile has a book-like design with a bendable screen inside, and another small screen on the back. The device supports an app continuity feature, making one switch from a small screen to a big one without closing or opening the app again. The bigger screen also supports three multi-active window, making it convenient to multi-task.

What the Huawei Mate X offers

Unlike the Galaxy Fold, the Mate X has a single screen that folds outwards. When folded, the mobile device has a screen on both the sides – one active at a time. When unfolded, the screen stretches to cover the entire front. The screen supports a dual window  for multi-tasking. The device is 5G ready.