Samsung today unveiled their much anticipated foldable smartphone – the Galaxy Fold, which opens up to create a 7.3in (18.5cm) tablet-like display able to run up to three apps at once.
The outer display is a 4.6-inch HD+ Super AMOLED panel with a 21:9 aspect ratio. The inner/main display of the Galaxy Fold is a large 7.3-inch QXGA+ Dyanic AMOLED canvas with a form factor of 4.2:3.
Samsung said that it had designed a new type of hidden hinge system that would withstand hundreds of thousands of folds and unfolds, and contained a battery on each side to extend its runtime.
The Galaxy Fold contains six cameras – three on the back, two on the inside and one on the front – to ensure it can take photos however it is held. Her’s what each camera packs:
- Rear Camera 1 — 16MP Ultra Wide | f/2.2
- Rear Camera 2 — 12MP Wide-Angle | f/1.5 – f/2.4
- Rear Camera 3 — 12MP Telephoto | f/2.4
- Front Camera 1 — 10MP Selfie | f/2.2
- Front Camera 2 — 8MP Depth Sensor | f/1.9
- Cover Camera — 10MP Selfie | f/2.2
“Today, Samsung is writing the next chapter in mobile innovation history by changing what’s possible in a smartphone. Galaxy Fold introduces a completely new category that unlocks new capabilities never seen before with our Infinity Flex Display.” said DJ Koh, President and CEO of IT & Mobile Communications Division, Samsung Electronics.
“We created Galaxy Fold for those that want to experience what a premium foldable device can do, beyond the limitations of a traditional smartphone.”
Galaxy Fold changes to the screen you need, the moment you need it. Slip it out of your pocket for one-handed calls, texts, and more and open for endless multitasking and higher quality viewing on our largest mobile display for presentations, digital magazines, movies, and AR content.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7r_UgNcJtzQ
The unique UX built just for Galaxy Fold, provides new ways to get the most out of your smartphone.
Multi-Active Window
Designed for the ultimate multitasker, you can open up to three active apps simultaneously on the main display so you can surf, text, work, watch and share without losing a beat.
App Continuity
Make intuitive, seamless transitions between the cover and the main displays. As Galaxy Fold opens and closes, apps will automatically show up where you leave off. When you’re ready to take a photo, make in-depth edits, or have a closer look at the feed, open the display for a big screen and fuller canvas.
Samsung worked with Google and the Android developer community to ensure that apps and services were available for the Galaxy Fold’s unique experience.
To ensure everything runs smoothly, even when running three apps simultaneously, Samsung equipped Galaxy Fold with a high-powered, next-generation AP chipset and 12GB of RAM with PC-like performance.
The sophisticated dual battery system was specifically engineered to keep up with you. Galaxy Fold is also capable of charging itself and a second device simultaneously via Wireless PowerShare, while connected to a regular charger so you can leave your second charger at home.
The Galaxy Fold is also designed for entertainment. Thanks to immersive visuals on the Dynamic AMOLED display and crisp, clear sound by AKG with the stereo speakers, your favourite movies and games come to life in rich sound and colour.
A 4G version of the Galaxy Fold, which Samsung described as being a “luxury smartphone”, is set to go on sale on 26 April in the US and 3 May in Europe and will start at £1,515 ($1,980).
A more expensive 5G edition was also promised.
Although the Galaxy Fold is unlikely to sell in similar quantities to the Galaxy S10 line of smartphones also launched on Wednesday, it promises to be the next logical step in the evolution of the smartphone. It offers the utility of a phone and tablet in one device.
The large-screen tablet is likely safe for a few years at least, as Samsung will have to make the technology it is pioneering for the Galaxy Fold available at affordable prices for it to be put out to pasture.
Galaxy Fold Specifications
| Galaxy Fold | ||
| Display | Main display: 7.3” QXGA+ Dynamic AMOLED (4.2:3) Cover display: 4.6” HD+ Super AMOLED (21:9) |
|
| Camera | Cover camera | 10MP Selfie Camera, F2.2 |
| Rear triple camera | 16MP Ultra Wide Camera, F2.2 12MP Wide-angle Camera, Dual Pixel AF, OIS, F1.5/F2.4 12MP Telephoto Camera, PDAF, OIS, F2.4, 2X optical zoom |
|
| Front dual camera | 10MP Selfie Camera, F2.2 8MP RGB Depth Camera, F1.9 |
|
| AP | 7nm 64-bit Octa-core processor | |
| Memory | 12GB RAM (LPDDR4x), 512GB (UFS3.0) | |
| Battery | 4,380mAh (typical) Fast Charging compatible on wired and wireless Wired charging compatible with QC2.0 and AFC Wireless charging compatible with WPC and PMA |
|
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie) | |
