Foldable devices have taken a significant leap forward with the launch of Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 7. Samsung’s leadership firmly believes that foldables are evolving from a niche concept to a mainstream category that will compete vigorously with flagship smartphones. During a roundtable after the launch event, Won-joon Choi, President and COO of Samsung’s MX Division and Head of its R&D office, shared important insights about the future of foldables and their integral role in the mobile AI landscape.
“Perfecting the form factor remains one of the primary challenges,” Choi stated in response to Startup Superb’s inquiry about the obstacles to transitioning from traditional flat smartphones. “The demand is clear for foldables to be lighter, sleeker, thinner, and more durable, all while maintaining premium performance. This is the area we are focusing on.”
The Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 7 are Samsung’s latest efforts to bridge the gap between foldable technology and everyday practicality. The devices feature advanced hinge designs, lighter materials, and slimmer body shapes. However, Choi emphasised that advancements in hardware alone do not paint the full picture.
“Creating a unique user experience is another critical challenge,” he continued. “The question is, what drives someone to opt for a foldable device? It is about the distinct way users interact with their phones, whether it’s the expansive screen on the Fold or the compact design with cover display on the Flip.”
Choi believes this unique user experience dovetails perfectly with the growing mobile AI phenomenon. “We see the foldable form factor as ideal for the mobile AI age,” he noted, highlighting how the Z Fold’s spacious internal display and the Z Flip’s flexible features serve as perfect platforms for enhanced AI interactions, multitasking, and innovative productivity workflows.
While Samsung currently leads the global foldables market, competition is intensifying, especially in regions like China, where companies such as Huawei and Honor have gained significant traction. India also represents an emerging market for foldable technology, but issues like cost, durability, and app optimisation remain challenges. Samsung appears dedicated to eliminating these remaining obstacles.
From Choi’s standpoint, the goal is unambiguous: foldable devices are not just meant to coexist with traditional smartphones but are designed to replace them. If AI continues to become as significant to smartphone utilisation as it is in the wider tech dialogue, Samsung aspires for its foldable devices to be the first canvas for this unfolding future.