Key Points:
- Foldable Opportunity: Five years after its first foldable phone, Samsung is primed to introduce foldable tablets, a perfect marriage of portability and expansive screen real estate.
- Android & App Ecosystem Ready: Advancements in Android OS, One UI, and app development make foldable tablets more viable than ever.
- Experimentation Era: Samsung’s ventures into smart rings, Ultra smartwatches, and VR showcase a willingness to explore new form factors. Foldable tablets deserve a place in this innovation wave.
For five years, Samsung has been the leader in foldable phones, with the Galaxy Fold paving the way. But their foldable journey seems to have stalled at smartphones. This article argues that Samsung is missing a golden opportunity by not venturing into foldable tablets.
The dream of a large, foldable tablet for enhanced portability isn’t new. Samsung’s display division has teased such possibilities at tech events for years. Imagine a tablet that folds in half, maintaining a large, usable screen while becoming incredibly compact.
The timing for a foldable tablet couldn’t be better. The Android operating system, Samsung’s One UI interface, and the app ecosystem have all matured significantly, offering better support for tablets. Additionally, Samsung’s premium “Ultra” line of tablets demonstrates its commitment to the tablet market.
Samsung’s current foray into wearables, smart rings, and VR underlines its willingness to experiment. This innovative spirit perfectly aligns with the introduction of foldable tablets. The technology is there, the market is receptive, and Samsung has the resources to explore this exciting new form factor.
The size of the first foldable tablet is debatable. A smaller form factor, similar to a foldable iPad Mini, could boast advantages like a single hinge, fewer potential failure points, and a potentially lower price tag. On the other hand, larger “Ultra” sized tablets could transform into portable laptops with sizeable on-screen keyboards, catering to power users. A mid-size option could strike a balance between portability and screen real estate.
Foldable tablets wouldn’t just be for consumers; business users, especially those who value S Pen functionality, would likely find them highly appealing.
Samsung’s foldable display technology is too innovative to be confined to just two phone models. Adding foldable tablets to the mix would be a strategic move, capitalizing on their current momentum and propelling them further into the future of mobile devices.
