Samsung is expected to launch new foldable smartphones including the Galaxy Z Flip 4 in the second half of 2022, and a new report hints that the new clamshell foldable might be more popular than its predecessor. The Galaxy Z Flip 3 is not just the best-selling clamshell foldable but also the best-selling foldable smartphone in the world. Samsung also sells the Galaxy Z Fold 3, which features a vertical fold form-factor.

The Galaxy Z Flip 3's closest rival is the Huawei P50 Pocket. It has a clamshell design but with a better folding mechanism. It also packs better cameras, has a bigger battery, and charges faster. However, it doesn't have 5G, lacks water resistance and wireless charging, has a smaller cover display, and is more expensive. Most significantly, it is not sold in the U.S and several other markets.

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Details are still scant about what new features Samsung is planning for the Galaxy Z Flip 4, but the upgrades combined with the popularity of the Galaxy Z Flip 3 may be significant, as Samsung is setting a higher sales target. According to Ross Young, the CEO of Display Supply Chain Consultants, Samsung Display will begin shipping display panels for the Z Flip 4 in April 2022. While the timing coincides with the Galaxy Z Flip 3 shipments in 2021, the number of shipments is much higher. Compared to the 5.1 million panels shipped for the 2021 clamshell foldable smartphone, Samsung Display will be shipping 8.7 million panels for the Galaxy Z Flip 4. That translates to a 70% increase in the number of shipments.

Samsung Display is expected to begin panel shipments for the Z Flip 4 next month, same timing as the Z Flip 3 last year. But panel shipments are expected to be much larger. Expecting 8.7M panels in 2022 for the Z Flip 4 vs. 5.1M for the Z Flip 3 in 2021.

— Ross Young (@DSCCRoss) March 15, 2022

Undisputed Champion Of Foldables?

Samsung is the current king of the foldable smartphone segment. While other brands such as Huawei, Xiaomi, Honor, and OPPO have released foldable smartphones, with some of them rivaling Samsung's own offerings, most are exclusive to China. Huawei, which sells some of its own phones in other regions, still doesn't have Google Mobile Services on its devices, which is a major deal-breaker for a lot of buyers. Nevertheless, it doesn't necessarily mean that there will be no competitors.

Motorola has confirmed that it will launch a new clamshell foldable smartphone in 2022, and it is promising that the Razr 3 will pack some big upgrades, especially in the processor department. This is an area where it was lacking in the last two iterations. It has also been reported that the cameras and display are also getting upgrades, and that Motorola plans to sell the phone in multiple markets. Google is also expected to launch its first foldable smartphone in 2022 but it won't have a clamshell design. Of course, Samsung may be able to hold on to its crown simply by adding multiple new features and keeping the price affordable.

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Source: Ross Young/Twitter

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