Samsung Shows Off Folding Galaxy F Behind Closed Doors At CES 2019
Samsung has been upfront about its work on a smartphone that has a folding screen. We got our first glimpse at the device back in November; granted it wasn't a finished device and the phone shown off was said to be inside some sort of protective case. That case obscured the real lines and made the device look a lot bulkier than it is expected to be when it launches. Reports are coming out of CES 2019 that Samsung is showing the folding smartphone off to clients in closed-door meetings.
A high-level executive from one of Samsung's clients has leaked some details of the device and claims that Samsung is optimizing the process for the folding phone's hardware and software right now. One of the questions many people had about Samsung's folding device, dubbed the Galaxy F, is if the screen would have a crease where it folds. According to the unnamed executive, the prototype had no crease when unfolded showing that it had been bent.
Another question on the minds of Samsung fans is what the device feels like when folded; the executive claims that when folded the smartphone doesn't feel thick and offered a stable grip. Another person who saw the device at CES 2019 likens the experience to when Nokia launched its first folder phone. This person also noted that the device is specialized for multitasking and would be "highly" useful for people who own a tablet and smartphone.
Another person cited as a tech industry official claims the device will sell for 1.5 million won or more (about $1,336). Rumors in the past have hinted the device might cost as much as $2,500. Samsung plans to build only a million of the devices per reports; for comparison, it produces 10 million Galaxy S devices. A phone selling for $2,500 might not go over well, smartphone makers have seen that consumers aren't willing to shell out the massive prices recent flagships have commanded. Apple has seen demand for its products wane and reduced production thanks to high prices and sagging demand in the smartphone market overall.
