Trendforce has released a report that expects foldable device shipments to increase 44% year-on-year in 2023. The improved sales will affect the market for hinges in foldable OLED smartphones and reach $500 million.
12.8 million foldable smartphones were shipped last year, rising to more than 18.5 million by calendar 2023, Trendforce predicts. Samsung sold 82% of all foldable devices in 2022 because other manufacturers like Xiaomi, Oppo and vivo only sell their devices in China and in limited quantities.
The leaflet sales numbers are just a byproduct of Trendforce’s analysis, which has focused primarily on the hinge market. Currently, there are two types of hinges – teardrop-shaped and U-shaped. The former contains many complex parts and costs “several times higher” than the latter. The analysis predicts that as the penetration rate of folding models increases, manufacturers will look for cost-effective components, starting with the hinge.
The overall hinge market will reach US$500 million, up 14.6% year-on-year. The protagonists are KH Vatech and S-connect, both suppliers of U-shaped hinges to Samsung. Brands that have adopted the more complex hinge are working with manufacturers such as Amphenol and Asia Vital Components.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 versus Oppo Find N2
Display manufacturers are also stepping in with folding hinge know-how. CSOT has unveiled a “semi-set” manufacturing flow that integrates an OLED display into required hinges, bringing a component in one piece. This will simplify manufacturing and improve durability.
Smartphone users are most concerned about the crease in the center of the foldable panel, and Trendforce said Samsung is aware of this issue, but will continue to use the U-shaped single-axis hinge that brings a slight groove to the screen. That way, it will keep prices lower for future Galaxy Z Fold devices, though a recent report claims otherwise, so how that plays out remains to be seen.
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