Samsung may have finalized the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Galaxy Z Flip 6’s component suppliers. According to the Korean media, the company will keep the same suppliers for the ultra-thin glass (UTG) substrate and its back-end processing orders for the new foldables. The devices are expected to arrive in July.
Samsung finalizes its UTG partners for the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Flip 6
Galaxy foldables feature an extremely thin layer of glass in the display assembly. It adds some strength to the flexible display. Since the third-gen models in 2021, South Korean firms Econy and Dowoo Insys have been handling the back-end processing orders for the UTG panels for Samsung foldables. They remain Samsung’s partners for the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Galaxy Z Flip 6.
Like last year, Dowoo Insys will work on the UTG panel for the Fold model, while Econy will handle the job for the Flip. Back-end processing for UTG involves thinning the UTG substrate supplied by the vendor and cutting plates according to the display size. Samsung will provide them with the dimensions and other info on the folding displays for the new foldables.
According to The Elec, the Galaxy Z Fold 6’s UTG panel will feature Schott’s substrate. The Galaxy Z Flip 6, on the other hand, will use Corning’s UTG substrate. All of these firms are part of Samsung’s supply chain. Corning and Econy are part of the smartphone division’s supply chain, while Schott and Dowoo Insys are part of the display division’s supply chain.
Samsung’s smartphone division also has another Korean firm UTI as its back-end processing partner. However, UTI’s etching technology reportedly isn’t up to the mark, so Samsung didn’t sign it up for the Galaxy Z Flip 6. UTI has several Chinese smartphone companies as its customers, though the report doesn’t specify whether it handles back-end processing for any foldable device.
Samsung may have more foldable smartphones in the pipeline
Samsung may launch more than two foldable smartphones this year. Alongside the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Galaxy Z Flip 6, there are also strong rumors about the Galaxy Z Fold 6 Ultra. Additionally, the Korean firm may also be working on two low-cost foldables. They could be called Galaxy Z Fold FE and Galaxy Z Flip FE. The “FE” in Samsung’s product branding stands for Fan Edition. These devices usually offer a mix of flagship features and affordability. Time will tell how much truth is in these rumors.
