Samsung and Huawei entered the foldable smartphone market last year. Other Chinese smartphone OEMs also have been reportedly testing their versions of the foldable phones, but none of them have officially confirmed when they will be releasing their products in the market. Fresh information shared by display analyst Ross Young has revealed a couple of Chinese phone makers will launch foldable smartphones next year.
According to Young, Chinese brands like OPPO, Vivo, and Xiaomi will altogether launch as many as four foldable smartphones in the second half of 2021. Since OPPO showcased a rollable screen concept phone called the OPPO X 2021 concept last month, it remains to be seen whether the upcoming OPPO foldable smartphone will be based upon the former. Likewise, Google is also expected to launch its foldable smartphone during the same period.
Second half of 2021 is going to be really exciting for foldable smartphones. At least 3 models from Samsung, 4 models from Oppo, Vivo and Xiaomi and 1 model from Google…BTW, no Z Fold Lite – Z Flip Lite. Specs for all are in our latest Foldable Report.
— Ross Young (@DSCCRoss) December 10, 2020
As far as Samsung is concerned, Young claimed that the company will release three foldable phones in the second half of 2021. He added that Samsung’s foldable phone lineup for next year does not have Z Fold Lite, which means there may not be a stripped-down version of the Galaxy Z Fold flagship.
He further said that Samsung will launch Z Flip Lite in the same period. Probably, it may launch the successor to the Galaxy Z Flip 5G in the first half of the year. This device is likely to carry flagship specs. Its weaker version, which is prematurely dubbed as Z Flip Lite, may arrive in the second half of 2021.
Based on previous leaks, it can be said Samsung may launch the Galaxy Z Fold 3, Galaxy Z Flip 2, and Galaxy Z Flip Lite in 2021. Samsung’s flagships command hefty price tags. Hopefully, the foldable phones by the Chinese phone makers arrive at affordable pricing.
