Foldable Phones and Upcoming Developments

Currently, two companies, Microsoft and Samsung, are pursuing the development of foldable phones. Lenovo has also previously unveiled prototypes of such devices. But what features do these smartphones have, and what impact will they have on the future market for such devices? For several years, various reputable companies around the world have been registering patents for foldable devices. The common goal is to create lightweight devices that can perform the functions of three devices: mobile phones, tablets, and notebooks. Reports indicate that Microsoft is nearing the completion of the Andromeda device, which some experts consider a revolution in the future market. This product, expected to be introduced by the end of this calendar year, features two displays connected by a special hinge. These two displays close at a zero angle and transform into a small notebook at angles between 90 to 120 degrees, where one screen becomes the keyboard and the other becomes the display. At 180 degrees, it turns into a tablet, and at 360 degrees, it can be used like a mobile phone. Microsoft had unveiled a conceptual version of its flexible display five years ago. Samsung also has similar designs, and Lenovo introduced an initial design of such a device a few years ago. Lenovo even published a conceptual image of a foldable laptop, indicating that the company is planning to release such products in the near future. The company also unveiled a foldable phone and a foldable tablet named Folio. The Chinese company ZTE had also unveiled a quasi-foldable phone called ZTE Axon M in 2017. This product had two displays that fit side by side when the phone was opened. All these initial designs from various companies indicate that a transformation in this market segment is imminent. However, what will be the impact of these new products? In recent years, mobile processors have significantly advanced. These advancements have reached a point where some notebook manufacturers intend to use mobile processors in their products. The RAM and internal memory of these devices have become closer to personal computers than ever before. It can even be said that the internal memory and RAM of many modern smartphones are more efficient than many computers from ten years ago. This hardware advancement has prepared the necessary groundwork for a leap in these products. On the other hand, the cameras of these devices have also improved significantly. The only remaining issue is the display, which cannot be larger than current sizes if we want to fit the device in a pocket. This problem is solved with foldable screens, but the challenge is to design devices that have sufficient lifespan and necessary durability. Two screens side by side allow for the execution of two applications in a suitable screen space or running a single application on a larger screen like a tablet. An initial example of Samsung's flexible display was unveiled in 2013. For several years, computer manufacturers like Lenovo have been using virtual keyboards in their products. Two foldable screens allow users to have a virtual keyboard and a display, enabling faster and more accurate typing. One advantage of such devices is that when they are not in use, they are closed, minimizing damage to the display in case of a fall. With the introduction of these devices, the time for the demise of tablets is gradually approaching, and with the expansion of digital pens, these devices could also replace notepads for various individuals. People who do not perform heavy tasks on their personal computers may permanently switch to these new systems, and likely, with the arrival of such devices, the world will be different in five years compared to today, just as it changed ten years ago with the introduction of the iPhone and the shift in perspectives on mobile phones.