Tri-folding Smartphones: The Next Big Thing in the Foldable Market?

Tri-folding Smartphones: The Next Big Thing in the Foldable Market?According to IDC's latest quarterly mobile phone forecast report, the Chinese foldable phone market is expected to ship around 10.68 million units in 2024, representing a year-on-year growth of 52

Tri-folding Smartphones: The Next Big Thing in the Foldable Market?

According to IDC's latest quarterly mobile phone forecast report, the Chinese foldable phone market is expected to ship around 10.68 million units in 2024, representing a year-on-year growth of 52.4%. By 2028, the shipment volume of foldable phones in China is projected to exceed 17 million units, achieving a five-year compound annual growth rate of 19.8%. IDC believes consumers are eager for a new upgrade as foldable phones become increasingly affordable and the demand for larger screens grows.

In September, Huawei launched the world's first tri-folding smartphone - MateXT. This innovative device features a dual-hinge design, allowing it to fold both inwards and outwards. When fully unfolded, the screen size reaches 10.2 inches, while the thickness in folded state is only 3.6mm. The starting price is 19,999. With the official launch of the Huawei MateXT, a new era of foldable form factors is quietly emerging.

Honor's CEO, Zhao Ming, previously stated that Honor has been investing in various technologies, including tri-folding and roll-up screens. They have already achieved mass production capacity for tri-folding technology and the specific launch date will depend on market response. Leaks suggest that Honor's tri-folding phone will adopt a lightweight design and a large battery capacity to cater to users' dual needs for portability and endurance. Speculations point towards a possible launch in the first quarter of next year, although the actual release date may be subject to change.

Meanwhile, Honor recently obtained a patent for a "foldable electronic device." Patent diagrams depict a cross-folding concept, departing from the traditional single-fold design. By combining existing vertical and horizontal folding methods, the phone screen is divided into four sections connected by appropriate hinges. According to the patent, the new device might offer multiple folding modes. However, it remains uncertain whether this folding technology will be implemented in future Honor products.

Besides Honor, Xiaomi has also published a patent application for the appearance design of a "mobile phone and its main body," which is believed to be a tri-folding smartphone. The patent displays two folding schemes using a dual-hinge design. The rear camera features a horizontal arrangement of three lenses accompanied by an LED flash. Following the patent's exposure, the news trended on search engines, attracting significant public attention. However, industry sources indicate that Xiaomi is currently focused on its MIX Flip (small-fold) and MIX Fold (large-fold) series, and there are no known plans for commercial production of tri-folding phones. Therefore, Xiaomi might be engaging in research and patent development for tri-folding technology, but the actual device may not be available anytime soon.

Prior to the launch of Huawei MateXT, Tecno, a brand under Transsion Holdings, unveiled a tri-folding concept phone called "Phantom Ultimate 2." This device utilizes a dual-hinge design, resulting in a 11mm thickness. One hinge folds inwards, while the other folds outwards. When folded, the screen size is 6.48 inches, similar to traditional straight-screen phones. Upon unfolding, the screen expands to 10 inches, offering a 3K LTPO panel and multiple folding styles. Users can adjust the phone's form based on their specific needs. However, it's worth noting that this device is currently at the conceptual stage, and details regarding its configurations and release date remain undisclosed.

In conclusion, tri-folding smartphones hold the potential to advance the foldable phone market further, from hardware and software ecosystems to usage scenarios. However, challenges still exist in terms of cost, technology, software compatibility, and yield rate, which might make other manufacturers hesitant for the time being. This suggests that Huawei may remain as the sole company mass-producing tri-folding phones in the short term.

However, with the active involvement of leading manufacturers and upstream supply chains, tri-folding smartphones could become the next major focus for various brands. It remains to be seen whether Huawei will maintain its dominant position or if we will witness a diverse landscape of tri-folding phones from different manufacturers. The future of this emerging technology is certainly worth watching.

Tri-folding Smartphones: Technological Breakthrough and Market Expectation

The emergence of tri-folding smartphones marks a significant milestone in the evolution of foldable phones. By combining larger screen sizes with more flexible usage options, these devices deliver unprecedented user experiences. Whether for watching videos, reading e-books, or multitasking, tri-folding phones offer more immersive experiences and enhance user productivity.

Currently, the tri-folding phone market is still in its nascent stage. However, with ongoing advancements in technology and cost reduction, an explosive growth is expected in the coming years. Major manufacturers are actively investing in research, development, and production of tri-folding smartphones, continuously exploring new technologies and design solutions.

Opportunities and Challenges

The rapid advancement of tri-folding phones also presents numerous challenges.

• Cost: The production cost of tri-folding smartphones is high, leading to higher prices and potentially limiting market share.

• Technology: Tri-folding technology, screen technology, software compatibility, and other aspects present technological hurdles that require continuous improvements and breakthroughs.

• Application Scenarios: The application scenarios for tri-folding phones are currently limited, necessitating the development of more suitable apps and features.

To overcome these challenges, manufacturers need to innovate constantly, address technological issues, reduce production costs, and develop applications optimized for tri-folding phones. This is crucial for truly propelling the development of the tri-folding phone market.

Conclusion

The arrival of tri-folding smartphones signifies a new chapter in the foldable phone market. In the future, tri-folding phones will compete with traditional straight-screen phones and eventually become a dominant form factor within the smartphone market.

With ongoing technological advancements and increasing market demand, the future of tri-folding smartphones is filled with promise. In the not-too-distant future, these innovative devices are poised to become an indispensable part of our daily lives.