Samsung Galaxy Fold and HUAWEI Mate X, these are the official phones with folding screens announced by the big boys and we have yet to include the Royole FlexPai and perhaps many other unheard brands that showcased their devices before this. Yep, it is 2019 and this is the year where companies are fighting to release their first generation devices with foldable screens.

Another Step in Innovation

We are a decade into the smartphone era and that goes without saying, the recent year’s phone releases have been a little bit on the stale side as companies struggle to improve the existing device. Granted, the touchscreen has eliminated the need for physical keypads, hence the disappearance of slider phones, flipping phones and various other form factor phones.

Sure, they can introduce whatever “bezel-less” display with a notch or punch hole camera cutout, otherwise, they can also throw in as much camera as they want at the back of the phone, producing a device worthy to freak out those with Trypophobia among us. All those are one of the ways where manufacturer trying to offer different features and solutions to consumers apart from standing out from the rest of the competition. With that being said, the release of the aforementioned devices and the development of flexible display is needed to break the current status quo where everyone literally just producing yet another glass slate device.

Sky High Price for Experimental Product?

Just like many other new technologies out there, someone has to make the move and release the first iteration to the market. Yes, we all can see the people’s response the moment the presenter announced the price – $1980 for Samsung Galaxy Fold and approximately $2600 for Huawei Mate X. Even the social media is exploded with sarcastic posts about selling kidneys and organs for it.

Sure, the price may be ridiculously high and worst of all, the end product might not be as polished as what we may have imagined. Hey, there’s no way we could get things right upon the first try, right? Even other iOS and Android devices had gone through multiple iterations before settling down some of their features. Besides, the research and development cost that leads to the end product, as well as the limited production number are the main reason why the device has to be priced to that extent.

Don’t worry though, they won’t be costing $2000 forever, perhaps in the future, yes.

Does The World Need Folding Phones in 2019?

Yes and No.

Yes, because it pushes the innovation forward. Remember the early days of Android where each and every phone manufacturers are experimenting with all sorts of build and form factor? We used to had trackballs and trackpads on our Android phone. With the introduction of flexible OLED and folding mechanism, it opens up a vast opportunity in the design of the smartphone for the next decade.

No, because for us plebians, there’s no real reason for us to get our hands onto the first generation product unless you have the money to spare and fully aware of what you’re getting into – becoming the guinea pig. First generation products are known to be buggy and less polished. Heck, most of the time the second generation would cost cheaper and less problematic as the issues being addressed.

So, unless you have plenty of moolah and you hate to keep them in your wallet or the bank, then proceed to support the company’s innovation and economy with your $2000.