Samsung may release its Galaxy X foldable smartphone in 2018, rumors suggest

Up until now, it was believed that the foldable smartphone, that Samsung is allegedly working on, will be released by the end of this year. However, new rumors from South Korea claim that such a schedule might be too optimistic, and the device will actually see the light of day in the first half of 2018.

According to unnamed industry sources, the so-called Samsung Galaxy X will rely heavily on a material called “polyimide film”. It's a very thin, flexible material with high heat-resistance, that remains stable in a wide range of temperatures, from extreme cold, to scorching heat. And, according to some sources, it will be a key component in foldable phones, due to its thinness and flexibility.

It is rumored that Samsung's supply of polyimide film will come from the South Korean manufacturer Kolon Industries. However, the company will not be ready to produce the film until the first half of next year. In August last year, it announced that it will complete its investments in relevant facilities by the end of January 2018, so mass production of the film should come shortly after that.

An unnamed industry official said, “The prototype of the Galaxy X can [appear] this year, but the device will be commercialized in earnest in the first half of next year in consideration of a relevant components mass production schedule.”

With Apple being granted a license for a bendable phone, and LG rumored to be in the game as well, Samsung might face a tougher opposition than previously expected. So, we can only assume that the leading smartphone manufacturers will be racing to mass-produce the world's first foldable smartphone, and it's still anyone's game.

source: BusinessKorea via SamMobile