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Foldable Google Pixel, Samsung Z Flip Lite, and 6 other bendable devices coming in H2 2021: analyst

By Anam Hamid

Published: Dec 11, 2020, 11:41 AM

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Foldable Google Pixel, Samsung Z Flip Lite, and 6 other bendable devices coming in H2 2021: analyst

According to a recent report by UBI Research, three foldable phones from Samsung are in the pipeline for 2021, and this has been corroborated by display industry insider Ross Young. Where the two differ, however, is that UBI Research claims that Samsung will release the Galaxy Z Fold 3, Z Fold Lite, and Z Flip 2 next year, and Young says that there is no Z Fold Lite in the works, only a Z Flip Lite.

Young says that these foldable devices will be released in the second half of 2021, and they will compete for market share with four devices by Oppo, Vivo, and Xiaomi, and one bendable phone from Google.

Second half of 2021 is going to be really exciting for foldable smartphones. At least 3 models from Samsung, 4 models from Oppo, Vivo and Xiaomi and 1 model from Google...BTW, no Z Fold Lite - Z Flip Lite. Specs for all are in our latest Foldable Report.
— Ross Young (@DSCCRoss) December 10, 2020

The news about foldable phones from Google, Oppo, Vivo, and Xiaomi doesn't really come as a surprise

Back in August, it was reported that Google is working on a foldable Pixel codenamed “passport” which is expected in Q4 2021. Similarly, Xiaomi has been rumored to be working on a bendable device for a long time. In 2019, the company’s co-founder and president Lin Bin demoed a prototype unit in a video posted to Chinese social networking website Weibo.

More recently, code snippets spotted in MIUI 12 by XDA Developers imply that the company is currently working on a foldable device codenamed Cetus. The code has also revealed that the device features a 108MP primary camera and it is underpinned by a Snapdragon processor.

Chinese sources had earlier claimed that Xiaomi would launch its first foldable phone in 2021.

Oppo's VP Brian Shen shared some images of a folding prototype back in February 2019. Around that same time, alleged renders of a foldable device from Vivo's sub-brand iQOO also popped up on Weibo.

Samsung has been betting big on foldable phones and it seems like other manufacturers are also warming up to the idea. Apple is also expected to release a foldable iPhone in 2022.

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Anam Hamid is a computer scientist turned tech journalist who has a keen interest in the tech world, with a particular focus on smartphones and tablets. She has previously written for Android Headlines and has also been a ghostwriter for several tech and car publications. Anam is not a tech hoarder and believes in using her gadgets for as long as possible. She is concerned about smartphone addiction and its impact on future generations, but she also appreciates the convenience that phones have brought into our lives. Anam is excited about technological advancements like folding screens and under-display sensors, and she often wonders about the future of technology. She values the overall experience of a device more than its individual specs and admires companies that deliver durable, high-quality products. In her free time, Anam enjoys reading, scrolling through Reddit and Instagram, and occasionally refreshing her programming skills through tutorials.