With many foldable devices now in its catalogue, Samsung is making a lot of use out of its ultra-thin glass (UTG). But it looks like it will soon be selling this material to other companies making foldable devices. And according to a recent report, one of them is Google.
Korean news outlet ETNews reports that Samsung Display is planning to sell its UTG to other phone makers to “strengthen its foldable display business”. One such company is the internet search giant Google, which will also be taking Samsung’s foldable OLED panels. The report also mentions that the company’s display business can then bundle UTG with its foldable panels when selling them to other brands.
But beyond that, there isn’t much mention on the Google device itself. Beyond it being a foldable, there’s no indication of what the form factor will be like.
For now, there are only two prevailing designs. One being the tablet which folds into a phone like the Galaxy Z Fold line, and competitors like the Huawei Mate X line. The other option will be a more conventional clamshell design, a la the Galazy Z Flip or the new Motorola Razr.
This is probably good news for Samsung, since it gets another buyer for its UTG, even if it’s a competitor. It would’ve been good for consumers too, getting another brand making foldable devices. But because it’s Google, which doesn’t officially bring its devices to our shores, that benefit does feel a little moot.
