Phones
Around six foldable phones with UTG tech by Samsung, Google, Xiaomi, etc. launching this year
In addition to Samsung, several Chinese OEMs are rapidly working to introduce their foldable smartphones in near future. Meanwhile, a new report from South Korea suggests that most of 2021’s foldable phones will feature ultra-thin glass technology instead of polyimide film.
The list of phone makers including Samsung is too long in which Xiaomi, Oppo, Honor, Huawei, and Google are the main. The report also reveals that Google’s first foldable phone, the so-called Google Pixel Fold, will come with a 7.6-inch foldable display, which is much similar to the Galaxy Z Fold 3’s rumored internal screen.
These Galaxy Z Fold 3 rivals are coming this year!
- Google Pixel Fold: 7.6″ internal display supplied by Samsung
- Xiaomi Mi Mix Fold 2: 8.01″ internal and 6.52″ external Samsung displays
- Oppo: internal and 5.45″ external (expected launch next year)
- Vivo: 8″ internal by Samsung and 6.5″ external by BOE
- Honor Magic Fold: 8.03″ internal and 6.45″ external [BOE displays]
Discovered and manufactured by Samsung Display, UTG (ultra-thin glass) technology played a key role in making Galaxy foldable smartphones. It is the world’s first flexible glass made of a thin sheet of glass through a process of adding flexibility and increased durability, which is marketed by Samsung Display and Dowoo Insys.
Join Sammy Fans on Telegram
By collecting information from different sources, it seems confirmed that 2021 is a foldable phone-focussed year as there are around 6 folding smartphones coming including Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Galaxy Z Flip 3 that are expected to launch on August 11.
Samsung is the leading smartphone maker when it comes to development of foldable smartphones. However, the Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Galaxy Z Flip 3 are coming at a 20% lesser pricing than their predecessors, they could raise chances in order to expanding Samsung’s market cap.
Along with the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 5G, Samsung has officially ended software update support for two more Galaxy devices – the Galaxy M51 phone and Galaxy Tab A7 tablet. This means that these devices will no longer receive any software updates.
Both the Samsung Galaxy M51 and Galaxy Tab A7 were launched in 2020 and came pre-installed with Android 10. They received updates up to Android 12, and are not eligible for more Android updates. Now, these devices have completed their software update cycle.
Although these devices still work well for everyday tasks, users will not get any new features or security patches. This lack of updates can make the devices outdated, as they will not receive important improvements.
Samsung Galaxy M51 and Galaxy Tab A7 have reached the end of their update cycle, after receiving 4 years of updates. Now, users of these devices can think about upgrading to newer models to enjoy the latest features and better security.
Still, both devices are secure and functional for everyday use. The devices run Android 12 and support all major apps, including those for banking, so users can continue to perform their daily tasks without issues. If you want to enjoy the new and advanced features of One UI, newer Samsung models are required.
Bye-Bye Monthly Updates: Popular Galaxy A series phone shifts to Quarterly plan
Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G is a well-loved smartphone in the Galaxy A series that has now shifted from a monthly to a quarterly update plan. This means that users of this device will now receive software updates every three months instead of every month.
The Korean tech giant has recently announced its revised update schedule for its Galaxy devices, which places the Galaxy A52s 5G in the Quarterly update category.
Launched in 2021, the Galaxy A52s 5G came with Android 11 pre-installed. Since then, it has received three major Android updates and runs on Android 14 with One UI 6.1. However, the device will no longer be eligible for additional major Android OS updates. Users will still receive security updates, which will now be provided every three months.
While the Galaxy A52s 5G will continue to function properly, the shift to a quarterly update schedule means that users may not have access to the latest features and security enhancements as quickly as before.
If you own a Galaxy A52s and are considering an upgrade, you can look at newer Samsung models like the Galaxy A54 and A55. These devices will provide monthly updates and newer features to ensure you stay updated with the latest technology.
Moreover, Samsung has recently launched the Galaxy A16 5G smartphone. It is the first budget phone to offer six years of Android upgrades, providing software support until 2030. This makes the A16 5G an attractive option for budget-conscious consumers.
Don’t forget, the Galaxy A52s will remain a reliable smartphone even after a new quarterly update plan.
Google launched the Pixel 9 series earlier than the usual Pixel flagship launch timeline. The Android 16 is also reportedly coming earlier than we’d expect, and the latest report says Google could launch Pixel 9a in the first quarter of the next year.
According to AndroidHeadlines, Google Pixel 9a could be announced by mid-March 2025. Multiple sources citing the outlet confirmed that the next affordable Pixel will go on sale before the end of March 2025.
It seems Google is preparing to bring its Galaxy S24 FE rival around the 2025 iPhone SE debut. Samsung has recently launched the new FE smartphone, while Apple is said to announce the next-generation iPhone SE early next year.
Recently, the CAD renders of Pixel 9a smartphone have been revealed. The images showcased Google’s design decisions. The next A series Pixel could not get bumped camera bar shown in the Pixel 9 series flagships.