By Dr. TM Roh, President and Head of Business MX, Samsung Electronics
I’ve worked my entire career as an engineer and have seen many innovations at Samsung that have pushed the boundaries of what’s possible with smartphones. Our mission is, and always has been, to create technology that improves people’s lives. Ten years ago, we set out to create transformative technology by examining the one thing all smartphones were synonymous with: a rectangular flat screen. We asked ourselves a simple question: How can we have it all: a bigger screen and better portability?
We saw an opportunity to not only design a new form, but to create new experiences that had never before been possible with a smartphone. Overcoming many technological hurdles, we successfully introduced the first foldable Galaxy smartphone in 2019 and have since changed the future of our industry.
Last year we saw nearly 10 million foldable smartphones shipped worldwide. That’s an increase of over 300% since 2020, and I predict this accelerated growth will continue. We are getting to the point where these foldable devices are becoming more common and more in demand in the general smartphone market.
More importantly, Samsung Galaxy foldable devices have changed the way we use mobile devices and helped bring better lifestyles to users around the world.
As lifestyles change, a new legacy unfolds
The world is more connected than ever and changing at a much faster pace. Work and play are intertwined and the boundaries between the physical and digital worlds have blurred. Where we seek work, entertainment, wellness and more has become one place: our phone. As such, our users need a flexible device to meet their daily demands.
Galaxy Fold and Galaxy Flip fulfill this mandate. Last year, 70% of foldable Galaxy users turned to the Flip to help them see the world from a different perspective. Flip users love having a device designed for self-expression, whether that means choosing vibrant color options for their device or taking photos in new ways with Flex Mode.
It’s a different experience with the Fold. Nearly one in three foldable Galaxy users switched to this ultimate productivity device last year, enabling them to do more through personal hyperconnected computing. Fold users love the multitasking capabilities of a screen that doubles in size, allowing them to be more efficient and get things done faster.
Both folding users enthusiastically embraced what we created. Your feedback is our greatest motivation to move forward, and that’s why we’re embarking on this journey to find new possibilities for mobile innovation.
This year, we have made breakthroughs in every detail and opened up the new experiences enabled by these behavior change devices. I’m excited to see people finding new ways to do more of the things they love with the new foldable.
Of course, this wouldn’t have been possible without the open collaboration and shared drive with our partners to continually bring new innovations to the mobile category. We’re working with industry leaders, including Google, Microsoft, and other carrier partners, to expand the experiences possible in the foldable ecosystem.
Redefining what is possible for people around the world
Three years ago, Galaxy foldables could be summed up in one word: radical. However, it quickly became apparent that this innovative and flexible design was perfectly suited to modern lifestyles. As a result, what was once a novelty three years ago is now the preferred choice of millions.
In our upcoming Unpacked on August 10, you’ll see that the impact of our innovation isn’t limited to what technology can do. It’s about what you can do. Once again, we’ve taken inspiration from the greatest source, Galaxy users, to push the boundaries of what’s possible.
I can’t wait to show you the potential of our new Samsung Galaxy foldable devices as the ultimate tool for productivity and self-expression. Now you can do more than you ever thought possible, all at once, with just one device.
Get ready to unveil your world.