Huawei plans to beat Samsung to foldable phone in 2019

Next year is shaping up to be the year of the foldable phone.

Huawei, the world’s third-largest smartphone maker, is reportedly planning to beat Samsung to market with the world’s first foldable smartphone, according to the Nikkei Asian Review.

The foldable phone, which could launch in early 2019, will reportedly use a flexible OLED display made by China’s BOE Technology Group. 

Even though BOE’s screen technology is said to be inferior to Samsung’s own, that’s apparently not stopping Huawei — it’s intent is to be first, which would showcase itself as an innovator capable of leapfrogging Samsung. 

Echoing an earlier Wall Street Journal report on Samsung’s plans for its own foldable phone expected to launch sometime next year as well, Huawei’s foldable phone might only be produced in limited quantities of up to 30,000 units. 

With so few units planned, it’s unlikely that Huawei wants its first foldable phone to replace its flagship Android phones. Instead, the company’s probably hoping it’ll click with early adopters — perhaps the same mobile gamer niche Samsung is reportedly targeting with its foldable phone.

Huawei’s intent is to be first, which would showcase itself as an innovator capable of leapfrogging Samsung

Beyond Huawei’s ambitions to beat Samsung to market, there are no additional details on the foldable phone.

In contrast, more info on Samsung’s foldable phone continues to surface. The WSJ’s report previously said Samsung’s foldable phone display would measure about 7 inches and fold in half like a wallet. When folded up, the rear would feature a “small display bar” and cameras on the front.

Adding to the WSJ, the Nikkei Asian Review claims Samsung’s foldable phone will be “no thicker than an iPhone 8 or 8 Plus” and sport a 7.3-inch screen when fully open.

The report also says Samsung’s foldable phone will have one durability limitation: It’ll only fold 20,000 times. Additionally, the Nikkei also echoes the foldable phone’s potentially high price tag of $1,500-2,000.

With both Samsung and Huawei now reportedly planning foldable phones for early next year, you have to wonder if such devices will really be the next big thing or just a passing fad. 

My bet’s on the latter — I think they’re dead on arrival — but lots of people also cast doubt on Samsung’s “curved glass edge” as nothing more than a gimmick and they were proven wrong.

Whatever the case is, 2019’s gonna be very interesting year for phones.