Teaser hints that Samsung's new Android clamshell flipper will support 5G
Every year since 2011, Samsung has produced a pricey Android-powered clamshell flip phone that has been available in limited markets. Last November, the company unveiled the W2019 with dual 4.2-inch Super AMOLED displays (one internal, one external) carrying a resolution of 1080 x 1920 (FHD). Powered by last year's flagship Snapdragon 845 Mobile Platform, the W2019 is equipped with 6GB of memory and 128GB/256GB of storage. Since it does run Android, a virtual QWERTY is available but T9 typing is also possible using the dedicated phone dialer (flashbacks anyone?). The dual-camera setup on the back includes a pair of 12MP sensors with the primary camera offering a variable aperture ranging from f/1.5-f/2.4. Keeping the lights on is a 3070mAh battery, and at launch, the device was priced at the equivalent of $2,732 USD. Ouch.
Keep in mind that the form factor of this series has always been a clamshell flip phone; these are not foldable devices like the Galaxy Fold or even the upcoming Motorola RAZR (2019) because the screens on these flip phone models don't fold. China Telecom, the carrier that has offered this series to its customers going back to 2011, posted an image on its Weibo account relating to the 2020 version of the phone. The teaser calls the device the W20 5G (SM-W2020) indicating that it will support the next generation of wireless connectivity.
Indications are that the W20 5G will not feature a foldable display
The teaser also made it appear as though the W20 5G could be a foldable phone. Remember, there has been talk about Samsung developing a second foldable phone that folds around the horizontal axis as the new RAZR will. However, the latest reports indicate that such a device won't see the light of day until April. The company itself calls the W20 5G a "folder" which is the way it describes its clamshell phones according to SamMobile. In addition, the parts list for the W20 5G does not include a hinge which it does for both the Galaxy Fold (SM-F900F) and the Galaxy Fold 2 (SM-F700).
Some of the specs for the W20 5G have leaked and it appears that the flipper will sport 512GB of storage and will be available in Black and White. We also expect to see a pretty huge price tag placed on the phone.
China Telecom teases the Samsung W20 5G Android-powered flip phone
The foldable clamshell Motorola RAZR (2019) is expected to be unveiled on November 13th and while it isn't expected to carry flagship specs (for example, the Snapdragon 710 is reportedly powering the device), it does have something that no other foldable will have: the nostalgia factor. The original RAZR feature phone was a smash hit for Motorola and was available from 2004 through 2008; Motorola sold 130 million units of the original handset.
The RAZR (2019) will also differ from the Galaxy Fold and the Huawei Mate X in another very important way. Instead of turning from a phone into a tablet, the RAZR (2019) will reportedly flip open to reveal a 6.2-inch display with a very tall and thin 22:9 aspect ratio. Leaked images of the handset show that it looks very similar to the original model with some changes made, including a smaller chin that houses the model's fingerprint scanner. There will be an external 2.7-inch screen for notifications and basic information like the time, date and weather. The point of the device is that it can stay hidden inside one's pocket until it is needed. Pricing is expected to be in the $1,500 range.
As far as Sammy's W20 5G is concerned, with China Telecom posting the teaser, it would appear that the clamshell will soon be made official. The manufacturer's line of Android-powered flip phones have never been available in the states and that won't change with the latest model.
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