In the midst of the buzz surrounding the recent unveiling of Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Galaxy Z Flip 5, T.M. Roh, the head of Samsung’s mobile division, is already steering the company’s gaze toward what lies ahead.
During a candid interview with The Independent, Roh hinted at a groundbreaking development: the expansion of foldable technology beyond smartphones, envisioning its integration into tablets and PCs.
The notion of a foldable Android tablet piqued curiosity, prompting Roh to elaborate further. He expounded, “Tablets represent a fertile ground for the foldable concept. This is because the act of reading books or using notebooks is deeply ingrained in human history and behavior.”
Samsung’s conviction in the foldable format stems from its alignment with age-old practices, a philosophy that echoes the design principles employed in their folding smartphones and now extends to larger devices like laptops and tablets.
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While the focal point of the conversation remained the tablet domain, hints emerged of Samsung’s contemplation of foldable laptops.
The potential complications arising from incorporating a physical keyboard did not escape the company’s scrutiny. Such endeavors herald a promising era for consumers, characterized by innovative devices with flexible screens.
Though Roh refrained from divulging a specific timeline for the launch of foldable tablets or laptops, he emphasized Samsung’s substantial investment in research and development.
He stated, “The advancements that have enhanced smartphones will naturally transition to tablets and laptops. At Samsung, we’re channeling substantial resources into this evolution.
Once the core technology is refined and primed to deliver meaningful innovation to users, we’ll introduce these products.”
The question of whether the introduction of these new devices might coincide with a reduction in foldable screen prices remained unanswered.
Given that current foldable smartphones already command prices around $1800, the affordability of larger, more intricate displays remains a point of contention.
The prospects of foldable tablets and laptops appear to be in their nascent stages, as Roh highlighted the necessity of foundational technological development before product release.
Among the challenges faced, the issue of size looms large. Roh stressed the imperative of creating devices that are both slim and lightweight for easy portability, yet sturdy enough to withstand regular use.
Samsung’s strategic vision positions foldable devices as a pivotal component of its product portfolio, with an unwavering commitment to their integration.
Regardless of any detractors, these innovative devices are firmly entrenched in Samsung’s future plans. Roh’s motivation is clear: “Our impetus for pushing forward comes from a simple source—consumers.
Their evolving needs and desires, coupled with the drive to refine crucial technologies, serve as our guiding force.” He reminisced, “Before we introduced the foldable, we pioneered the large-screen phone category with the Galaxy Note.
Critics initially dismissed the large screen, but it went on to redefine industry standards.”
In essence, Samsung’s trajectory is marked by an unyielding dedication to harnessing technology’s potential, embodied by the evolution from large-screen phones to foldable smartphones, and now extending toward the exciting realms of foldable tablets and laptops.
As the world anticipates these next-generation devices, one thing remains clear: Samsung’s pioneering spirit and consumer-centric ethos will continue to shape the technological landscape, bridging the past and the future.
