Samsung to develop folding displays for Google, Oppo, and Xiaomi

A new report from The Elec reiterates a previous report from December that noted vivo, Oppo, Xiaomi, and Google would all be releasing a foldable device. Today’s report doesn’t mention vivo, but it does mention that Samsung is developing folding displays for Oppo, Xiaomi, and Google. The new report details some of the specifics about each OEM’s folding display and its supposed sizes.

Starting with Oppo, the display in question is said to open from top to bottom, which means the device will have a clamshell form factor. The external screen will be between 1.5 to 2-inches, so we imagine the display will be long and tall when unfolded. While Oppo has worked with Samsung, BOE and Visionox for an outward folding 7.7-inch prototype, the Chinese OEM will work solely with Samsung for this device.

3D renders based on an Oppo patent for a foldable phone

Next up, Xiaomi is switching from an outward folding display to an in-ward folding one. The 7.92-inch screen on its prototype was developed by Visionox, but for this display – which may be 8.02-inches – Xiaomi will partner with Samsung and CSOT. For reference, CSOT and BOE developed the 2019 Motorola Razr’s folding display. Xiaomi’s folding device will apparently have a 6.38-inch external display. Leaked images of Xiaomi"s device from last month might show this very device.

Xiaomi foldable phone (reported in January 2021)

Finally, although there’s not as much information given about Google’s device, the report did mention that Samsung was developing an OLED screen for Google. Such a display would measure “around 7.6-inch in size”.

Even if it is only from rumors and reports, it’s interesting to see so much interest in folding devices from OEMs. Samsung currently holds the crown when it comes to folding phones. The company is expected to unveil three new foldables this year, including a lower-cost Z Flip model.

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