In June of next year, Samsung Electronics confirmed the release of the new foldable phone ‘Galaxy Z Fold 3 (tentative name)’ and began the development of final samples for mass production. The Galaxy Z Fold 3 has been developed as a premium smartphone combining Samsung Electronics’ latest terminal technologies such as S Pen (electronic pen) and UDC (Under Display Camera).
Samsung Electronics decided to release the Galaxy Z Fold 3 earlier last week in June next year and entered the final test to confirm the specifications of the mass-produced handset, according to a Samsung Group official on the 22nd.
Samsung Electronics has confirmed that the S Pen, a feature of the existing Galaxy Note series, will be equipped with the Galaxy Z Fold 3. Beyond simply mounting the S Pen, by inserting a S Pen slot to store the S Pen in the product, it has the character of a terminal that replaces the notebook series. The Note series will be discontinued as the S Pen technology is applied to the Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Galaxy S21 Ultra (tentative name).
Samsung Electronics put a lot of effort into applying the S Pen to the Fold series, seeing that the user experience (UX) will be maximized if the S Pen is combined with the large screen of the Fold series. Although the S Pen was recognized by an in-screen digitizer, it was difficult to create a cover glass (tempered glass) that prevented scratches when the S Pen and the screen touch were installed, so that the S Pen was not installed on the Galaxy Fold and the Galaxy Z Fold 2.
Preparations for mounting the S Pen were however, carried out, such as the replacement of the Galaxy Z Fold 2 screen cover material from transparent polyimide (CPI) film to ultra thin glass (UTG). The number of folds and folds remained the same even after changing from plastic to tempered glass. Next, the second generation UTG with its own cover glass technology was developed and delivered by Samsung Display and its subsidiary Dowoo Insys, enabling the realization of the plan to mount the S Pen on the Galaxy Z Fold 3.
Furthermore, to provide a true full-screen experience like a tablet PC, Samsung Electronics plans to apply UDC to the Galaxy Z Fold 3. The previous Galaxy Fold and Galaxy Z Fold 2 were fitted with a single-side notch display and a small-hole punch hole display for mounting the front camera. It offers the same viewing experience as a tablet PC, but the camera hole in the corner of the screen could not be seen.
UDC is a technology that allows you to snap photos by placing a camera under the OLED screen without a camera hole. By spreading the gap between pixels in the part where the front camera is placed, Samsung Electronics and Samsung Display plan to apply a special technology that allows light to pass through and take pictures.
Samsung Electronics originally intended to use a pop-up camera that pops out on top of the product only when the camera is typically hidden and used in the Fold series to provide a full-screen experience. Because of frequent breakdowns, however the pop-up camera method is not good for the user experience, and the Galaxy Z Fold 3 has turned to UDC as there is a need to show the world its unrivaled technology.
