More and more companies want to take charge in the foldable and wearable tech markets.
There’s already been plenty of hype about the Samsung Galaxy Fold. But Xiaomi, TCL, and others all recently announced foldable smart device lineups. Though the Nubia Alpha gives us a good idea of where foldable wearables might be going, we still don’t know many details about the hardware.
In order to keep up with traditional smart devices, the manufacturers of foldable technology will have to adapt old innovations or create new ones to maintain similar functionality. That’s why Corning, the developers of Gorilla glass, want to develop improved technology for the new wave of devices.
The Trouble With Foldable Smart Device Displays
Many people noticed that the Galaxy Fold does not fold down completely flat. Due most likely to the materials used, whatever devices Samsung or others create may not achieve the thinness of traditionally inert smart devices.
There is a distinct gap in the hinge where the Galaxy Fold bends because it doesn’t use foldable glass.
Luckily for the foldable market, Corning has plans to fix this problem. They also already have development processes underway for the first product. John Bayne, a Corning Gorilla glass representative, elaborated on the project goals.
“In a glass solution, you’re really challenging the laws of physics, in that to get a very tight bend radius you want to go thinner and thinner, but you also have to be able to survive a drop event and resist damage.”
At just .1 millimeters thick, the ultrathin, bendable glass can bend to a 5-millimeter radius. It also somehow avoids sacrificing durability and strength. What is most peculiar about this fact is that, according to physics, these features’ coexistence seems unlikely.
Still a Long Time From a Screen Solution
We don’t have any official documentation from Corning as of yet. But Wired reported that sources said the new glass could go live in “a couple of years”. Of course, competitors may be ready much sooner than that.
By that time, perhaps the cost of foldable tech will be a bit more tenable than it is currently.
I don’t see why anyone would bother buying a foldable phone. It’s just the worst of both worlds. It would be better (and cheaper) to just get two smartphones and tape them together. Waste of time.