2020 is shaping to be a big year for tech giants and smartphone makers. South Korean tech and electronics giant Samsung is rumored to launch a new foldable smartphone that folds like a clam. The unveiling of the said clamshell folding smartphone is reportedly happening in Feb. 2020 ahead of the scheduled official launch of the flagship smartphone series' Galaxy S11.
Samsung is currently talking to three major mobile carriers in Korea about the release of the second foldable smartphone in Korea. The goal of the South Korean tech and electronics giant is to release the revolutionary smartphone in Feb. 2020, according to Yonhap News Agency, citing unnamed industry sources. In mid-February, Samsung is holding its "Unpacked" event in the US where it will further reveal details about its new clamshell folding smartphone.
Several reports claim that the new clamshell folding model will be available for sale immediately after the event. This year, Samsung released the Galaxy Fold that features a 7.3-inch display and folds like a book. The upcoming clamshell folding smartphone, according to reports, will feature a 6.7-inch display and will look like a square when it folds.
Unlike the Samsung Galaxy Fold, which retails at around $2,000, reports claim that the upcoming clamshell folding smartphone is a mid-range release that will retail at $1,000. It appears that Samsung is rushing to launch the mid-range foldable smartphone to compete with other competing brands. Huawei is rumored to release a similar model in 2020 following the release of its first-ever foldable smartphone, the Huawei Mate X, in China.
Motorola is also scheduled to release the Motorola RAZR 2019 this month. The company, however, announced that the release would be postponed. So far, it has not yet announced any release window for its foldable smartphone that, like Samsung, folds like a clamshell.
Earlier this year, Samsung said that it plans to sell six million units of foldable smartphone models next year. Reports claim that the official name of the upcoming clamshell folding smartphone from Samsung was not yet decided. It is anticipated to run on fourth generation long-term evolution (LTE), which means it will not have a 5G support.
Rumors have it that Samsung will adopt a new branding style for its flagship smartphone series next year to mark the beginning of a decade. While earlier reports called the next flagship smartphone series as Galaxy S11, the series might be called Galaxy S20 series. We will know more about these details a few weeks from now when Samsung holds its "Unpacked" event.
