Users can split the main screen of Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold2 horizontally or vertically to access up to three apps at the same time. Courtesy Samsung
Users can split the main screen of Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold2 horizontally or vertically to access up to three apps at the same time. Courtesy Samsung
Users can split the main screen of Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold2 horizontally or vertically to access up to three apps at the same time. Courtesy Samsung
Users can split the main screen of Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold2 horizontally or vertically to access up to three apps at the same time. Courtesy Samsung

Why Samsung leads the foldable smartphone pack


Alkesh Sharma
  • English
  • Arabic

Foldable smartphone shipments will surge nearly three times on an annual basis to about 9 million units this year, with Samsung holding 88 per cent of the market share of the high-end devices, according to Counterpoint Research.

The South Korean technology company is expected to release two new foldable devices at its Galaxy Unpacked event on August 11.

The new foldable models – rumoured to be named the Galaxy Z Fold3 and the Galaxy Z Flip3 – are expected to be major improvements compared with their predecessors.

They will also include the S Pen stylus, a signature feature of the company’s premium Note series, to attract professional users, according to industry experts.

“With a significant price drop, improved design and appearance, Samsung is likely to target younger customers with the new foldable Flip smartphone … the new models will get S Pen support, too, which can help absorb existing Note users,” said Jene Park, Counterpoint’s senior analyst who leads the foldable device research team.

Samsung spent about eight years developing the first foldable smartphone, the Galaxy Fold. Bloomberg
Samsung spent about eight years developing the first foldable smartphone, the Galaxy Fold. Bloomberg

Here is a look at Samsung’s existing foldable models, existing competition and the future outlook of the industry.

Galaxy Fold

Samsung spent about eight years developing the first foldable smartphone, the Galaxy Fold, which was released globally in September 2019 after several months of delays. It had to delay its global release on April 26 after initial reviewers reported display problems and cracked screens.

The Galaxy Fold comes with a 18.5-centimetre screen that folds into a compact device with a cover display. With six cameras, it was unveiled at a price of $1,980.

The device was an instant hit among premium buyers and Samsung managed to sell about 500,000 Fold phones within the first four months of launch, the company said.

Samsung's Galaxy Z Flip smartphones are some of the most expensive ever made. Bloomberg
Samsung's Galaxy Z Flip smartphones are some of the most expensive ever made. Bloomberg

Galaxy Z Flip

The world’s biggest smartphone manufacturer released its second foldable phone – the Galaxy Z Flip – in February last year.

Devised for ultimate portability, it bends into the size of a wallet. It is a compact palm-sized device when folded but its screen size nearly doubles to 17cm when opened. It was launched at a price of more than $1,400.

Galaxy Z Fold2

Samsung unveiled its third foldable phone, the Galaxy Z Fold2, at an online event in September.

With a bigger screen, stronger hinge, better engineering and improved battery and sensors, the bendable device is intended to “push the boundaries of mobile experiences”, the company said.

Launched at a price of $1,999. the Galaxy Z Fold2 has a 15.7cm display that extends to 19.3cm when unfolded – which is bigger than many standard tablets in the market.

Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold2 smartphone at the company's shop in Seoul. Bloomberg
Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold2 smartphone at the company's shop in Seoul. Bloomberg

Brewing competition but no upfront challenge for Samsung

Trailing Samsung's foldable debut, rival companies such as Huawei, Lenovo and Motorola released their own foldable phone models.

Huawei launched its second foldable phone, the Mate Xs, which caters to high-spending customers in February last year. Priced at $2,715, the device's launch price was $115 more expensive than that of its predecessor, the Mate X, which came out in February 2019.

Despite the entry of new players, Samsung controlled about 73 per cent the foldable smartphone market in 2020. About 2.8 million foldable phones were shipped last year.

Brands such as Vivo, Oppo and TCL are expected to release their foldable handsets this year.

Cupertino, California-based iPhone manufacturer Apple is expected to launch its first foldable phone in 2023. It has developed prototype foldable screens for internal testing but has not solidified plans to actually release a foldable iPhone.

Motorola brought back the Razr flip phone 15 years after it first debuted, rebooting it as a foldable smartphone. Bloomberg
Motorola brought back the Razr flip phone 15 years after it first debuted, rebooting it as a foldable smartphone. Bloomberg

Future outlook

By 2023, Counterpoint expects foldable smartphone shipments to grow tenfold. Samsung will continue to rule the industry with about 75 per cent of market share, the market research company said.

To attract more budget customers, Samsung is expected to reduce the price of its new foldable phones, industry experts said.

“More affordable Samsung foldable smartphones may be attractive to some users, especially those who have previously purchased plus- or ultra-sized S-series or Note models,” Counterpoint senior analyst Maurice Klaehne said.

Overall smartphone market

Global smartphone shipments are forecast to reach 1.38 billion units this year, up 7.7 per cent over 2020, the International Data Corporation reported.

Foldable smartphones (9 million) will make up a fraction of the 1.38 billion smartphones expected to be sold this year.

Customers check out Huawei's first foldable smartphone, the Mate X, that was unveiled in February 2019. AFP
Customers check out Huawei's first foldable smartphone, the Mate X, that was unveiled in February 2019. AFP

Counterpoint remains bullish about foldable devices in the long term.

“Three key things must happen before we see any significant volumes – significant price declines with flagships at around $1,000 to $1,500, more vendor participants and Apple’s entry into the space,” said Mr Park.

Bio

Age: 25

Town: Al Diqdaqah – Ras Al Khaimah

Education: Bachelors degree in mechanical engineering

Favourite colour: White

Favourite place in the UAE: Downtown Dubai

Favourite book: A Life in Administration by Ghazi Al Gosaibi.

First owned baking book: How to Be a Domestic Goddess by Nigella Lawson.

The specs
  • Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
  • Power: 640hp
  • Torque: 760nm
  • On sale: 2026
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What can victims do?

Always use only regulated platforms

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Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)

Report to local authorities

Warn others to prevent further harm

Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence

RESULT

Esperance de Tunis 1 Guadalajara 1 
(Esperance won 6-5 on penalties)
Esperance: Belaili 38’
Guadalajara: Sandoval 5’

The specs

Engine: 1.5-litre turbo

Power: 181hp

Torque: 230Nm

Transmission: 6-speed automatic

Starting price: Dh79,000

On sale: Now

How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
  1. Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
  2. Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
  3. Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
  4. Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
  5. Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
  6. The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
  7. Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269

*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year

Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
  • Priority access to new homes from participating developers
  • Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
  • Flexible payment plans from developers
  • Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
  • DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
BRIEF SCORES:

Toss: Nepal, chose to field

UAE 153-6: Shaiman (59), Usman (30); Regmi 2-23

Nepal 132-7: Jora 53 not out; Zahoor 2-17

Result: UAE won by 21 runs

Series: UAE lead 1-0

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
  • 600-seat auditorium
  • Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Company%20profile
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Most sought after workplace benefits in the UAE
  • Flexible work arrangements
  • Pension support
  • Mental well-being assistance
  • Insurance coverage for optical, dental, alternative medicine, cancer screening
  • Financial well-being incentives 
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Global state-owned investor ranking by size

1.

United States

2.

China

3.

UAE

4.

Japan

5

Norway

6.

Canada

7.

Singapore

8.

Australia

9.

Saudi Arabia

10.

South Korea

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%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDeveloper%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Sucker%20Punch%20Productions%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPublisher%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Sony%20Computer%20Entertainment%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EConsole%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20PlayStation%202%20to%205%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%205%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Dubai World Cup prize money

Group 1 (Purebred Arabian) 2000m Dubai Kahayla Classic - $750,000
Group 2 1,600m(Dirt) Godolphin Mile - $750,000
Group 2 3,200m (Turf) Dubai Gold Cup – $750,000
Group 1 1,200m (Turf) Al Quoz Sprint – $1,000,000
Group 2 1,900m(Dirt) UAE Derby – $750,000
Group 1 1,200m (Dirt) Dubai Golden Shaheen – $1,500,000
Group 1 1,800m (Turf) Dubai Turf –  $4,000,000
Group 1 2,410m (Turf) Dubai Sheema Classic – $5,000,000
Group 1 2,000m (Dirt) Dubai World Cup– $12,000,000

The alternatives

• Founded in 2014, Telr is a payment aggregator and gateway with an office in Silicon Oasis. It’s e-commerce entry plan costs Dh349 monthly (plus VAT). QR codes direct customers to an online payment page and merchants can generate payments through messaging apps.

• Business Bay’s Pallapay claims 40,000-plus active merchants who can invoice customers and receive payment by card. Fees range from 1.99 per cent plus Dh1 per transaction depending on payment method and location, such as online or via UAE mobile.

• Tap started in May 2013 in Kuwait, allowing Middle East businesses to bill, accept, receive and make payments online “easier, faster and smoother” via goSell and goCollect. It supports more than 10,000 merchants. Monthly fees range from US$65-100, plus card charges of 2.75-3.75 per cent and Dh1.2 per sale.

2checkout’s “all-in-one payment gateway and merchant account” accepts payments in 200-plus markets for 2.4-3.9 per cent, plus a Dh1.2-Dh1.8 currency conversion charge. The US provider processes online shop and mobile transactions and has 17,000-plus active digital commerce users.

• PayPal is probably the best-known online goods payment method - usually used for eBay purchases -  but can be used to receive funds, providing everyone’s signed up. Costs from 2.9 per cent plus Dh1.2 per transaction.

What are the main cyber security threats?

Cyber crime - This includes fraud, impersonation, scams and deepfake technology, tactics that are increasingly targeting infrastructure and exploiting human vulnerabilities.
Cyber terrorism - Social media platforms are used to spread radical ideologies, misinformation and disinformation, often with the aim of disrupting critical infrastructure such as power grids.
Cyber warfare - Shaped by geopolitical tension, hostile actors seek to infiltrate and compromise national infrastructure, using one country’s systems as a springboard to launch attacks on others.

The specs

Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel

Power: 579hp

Torque: 859Nm

Transmission: Single-speed automatic

Price: From Dh825,900

On sale: Now

COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
 
Started: 2020
 
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
 
Based: Dubai, UAE
 
Sector: Entertainment 
 
Number of staff: 210 
 
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
Friday’s fixture

6.15pm: Al Wahda v Hatta

6.15pm: Al Dhafra v Ajman

9pm: Al Wasl v Baniyas

9pm: Fujairah v Sharjah

.

Greatest of All Time
Starring: Vijay, Sneha, Prashanth, Prabhu Deva, Mohan
Director: Venkat Prabhu
Rating: 2/5
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs

Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12

Power: 819hp

Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm

Price: From Dh1,700,000

Available: Now

Men from Barca's class of 99

Crystal Palace - Frank de Boer

Everton - Ronald Koeman

Manchester City - Pep Guardiola

Manchester United - Jose Mourinho

Southampton - Mauricio Pellegrino

Paris Can Wait
Dir: Eleanor Coppola
Starring: Alec Baldwin, Diane Lane, Arnaud Viard
Two stars

The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE. 

Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

MATCH INFO

Championship play-offs, second legs:

Aston Villa 0
Middlesbrough 0

(Aston Villa advance 1-0 on aggregate)

Fulham 2
Sessegnon (47'), Odoi (66')

Derby County 0

(Fulham advance 2-1 on aggregate)

Final

Saturday, May 26, Wembley. Kick off 8pm (UAE) 

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Sole survivors
  • Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
  • George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
  • Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
  • Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
Updated: August 12, 2021, 4:25 AM`