Huawei and Xiaomi have reportedly started buying screens with Ultra Thin Glass (UTG) technology. A maneuver that could mean the arrival of thin smartphones with very strong foldable screens. The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip already uses this technology.
The Huawei Mate XS
If it wasn’t the first foldable smartphone on the market, Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip had the merit of offering a screen equipped with Ultra Thin Glass (UTG) technology. It brings more durability compared to a foldable plastic screen, but also more finesse. Huawei and Xiaomi are interested in this technology, according to a Chinese leak.
Digital Chat Station, accustomed to leaks, said on Weibo that the two Chinese giants had bought UTG screens for the production of foldable screen or wraparound smartphones. By enveloping screens, you have to understand screen that go all around the chassis. Xiaomi is already working in this direction, including the Mi Mix Alpha concept, which could be available on consumer smartphones.
Huawei has already used UTG technology on its Mate X and Xs, so it wouldn’t be surprising to see the company working on a similar new project in the future.
A new era of folding
The era of foldable screens is just beginning. The first smartphone in this category was the Samsung Galaxy Fold in 2019, which had a plastic-coated screen that had been much talked about at the time. Samsung then reiterated with the Galaxy Z Flip. Featuring a new format, it was the first consumer smartphone to be equipped with a UTG screen, but again covered with plastic protection.
With Xiaomi and Huawei controlling this type of screen, we can expect foldable screens to be their new workhorse, at least in the high-end segment. We are now waiting to see what the manufacturers will do with this technology.
Source: Android Authority