Samsung Head of Mobile TM Roh shares state of the nation for foldable smartphones and what’s on the horizon at Galaxy Unpacked August 2022

The pieces are falling into place for the unveiling of Samsung’s next flagship foldable smartphones which are widely believed to be the new Galaxy Z Fold4 and Galaxy Z Flip4. To date, they’ve officially released the date that the new Samsung Galaxy Unpacked August 2022 will take place which will be 10th August 2022 9.00PM Malaysia time. Now, Dr. TM Roh, Samsung Head of Mobile has shared a personal editorial where he shares that the mainstream moment for foldable smartphones is here.

Some key takeaways from his editorial feature are a recap of how foldable phones are the end result of addressing the need for a bigger screen and better portability in one compact form factor. According to Dr. Roh, Samsung has shipped almost 10 million foldable smartphones across the globe which is a 300% increase from 2020 and the trend doesn’t show any sign of stopping any time soon.

He also shared additional insight on adoption of Samsung’s latest foldables with 70% of Galaxy foldable users adopting the Galaxy Z Flip3 on account of seeking a device ideal for self-expression be it the bold colourways available for the phone or the ability to take photos in new ways with Flex mode. In the case of the Galaxy Z Fold3, one out of every 3 new Galaxy foldable adoptees selected this flagship uber foldable which offers superb multitasking.

Dr. Roh also gave some hints for what the next generation of foldables will have to offer with advancements in ‘every detail and opened new experiences enabled by these behaviour-shifting devices’. He also shared that Samsung is working closely with Google, Microsoft and other carrier partners to expand the experiences offered by their next generation foldables.

That’s thrilling stuff but now we have to wait for what the next Unpacked will have to offer which will take place soon in a matter of weeks.

Dr. TM Roh’s editorial piece is reproduced here ad verbatim for clarity:

I have worked my entire career as an engineer, and I have seen many innovations at Samsung that have pushed the limits of what’s possible with smartphones. Our mission is, and always has been, to create technology that makes people’s lives better. Ten years ago, we set out to create a transformative technology by looking at the one thing all smartphones were synonymous with — a flat rectangular display. We asked ourselves a simple question: How can we have it all – a bigger screen and better portability?  

We saw an opportunity not only to design a new shape but also to create new experiences that had never been possible with a smartphone before. Overcoming many technological hurdles, we successfully introduced our first-ever foldable smartphone in 2019 and have changed the future of our industry ever since.

Last year, we saw almost 10 million foldable smartphones shipped worldwide. That’s an industry increase of more than 300% from 2020, and I predict this fast-paced growth will continue. We are reaching the moment where these foldable devices are becoming widespread and staking a bigger claim in the overall smartphone market.

More importantly, Samsung Galaxy foldables have changed the way we use mobile devices and helped enable better lifestyles for users worldwide.

As Lifestyles Evolve, a New Legacy Unfolds 

The world is more connected than ever and is moving at a much faster pace. Work and play intermix, and the lines between the physical and digital world have blurred. Where we turn for work, entertainment, wellness and more has become a single place — our phone. As such, our users need a flexible device to keep up with their daily demands.

The Galaxy Fold and Galaxy Flip deliver on that mandate. Last year, 70% of Galaxy foldable users turned to the Flip to help them see the world from a different point of view. Flip users love owning a device built for self-expression, whether choosing bold color options for their device or taking pictures in a new way with Flex mode.

It’s a different experience with the Fold. Nearly one out of three Galaxy foldable users last year opted for this ultimate productivity device, which has empowered them to do more through hyper-connected, individual computing. Fold users love the multitasking capability of a screen that doubles in size, so they can be more efficient and get things done faster.

Both foldable users have enthusiastically embraced what we have created. Their response is our biggest motivation to push forward, and that’s why we are committed to this journey of seeking new possibilities for mobile innovation.

This year, we’ve made advancements in every detail and opened new experiences enabled by these behavior-shifting devices. I am excited to see people discover 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 desire with our partners to continuously bring new innovations to the mobile category. We are working with industry leaders including Google, Microsoft and other carrier partners to expand the experiences that are possible throughout the foldable ecosystem.

Redefining What’s Possible for People Everywhere

Three years ago, Galaxy foldables could be summed up in a single word: radical. Very quickly, however, it became clear that this groundbreaking, flexible design fits perfectly into modern lifestyles. As a result, what was once a novelty three years ago, is now the preferred choice for millions.

At our upcoming Unpacked on August 10th, you’ll see that the impact of our innovation is not only about what technology can do. It’s about what you can do. We’ve once again taken our inspiration from the most important source — Galaxy users — to push the limits of what’s possible.

I can’t wait to show you the potential of our new Samsung Galaxy foldables as the ultimate tool for both productivity and self-expression. Now, you can do more than you ever thought possible, all at once, on one device.