{"id":25620,"date":"2020-06-15T23:54:00","date_gmt":"2020-06-15T23:54:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/icrowdnewswire.com\/?p=2599265"},"modified":"2020-06-15T23:54:00","modified_gmt":"2020-06-15T23:54:00","slug":"galaxy-fold-2-release-for-aug-5-stylus-fancy-new-camera-and-other-rumors","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/ipsnews.net\/business\/2020\/06\/15\/galaxy-fold-2-release-for-aug-5-stylus-fancy-new-camera-and-other-rumors\/","title":{"rendered":"Galaxy Fold 2 release for Aug. 5? Stylus, fancy new camera and other rumors"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/p>\n

Could the Galaxy Fold 2 be waterproof? A new patent suggests yes. Plus, whispers about a cheaper version of the Fold 2, what we’ve heard about the camera and more.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Samsung may have a date in mind to unveil the Galaxy Fold 2 and we might even know the day the phone go on sale. If the latest rumors prove true, the phone maker could stick to August for a virtual Unpacked event and sell the device later in the month (full details below). <\/p>\n

While most of what we “know” about the Galaxy Fold 2 is unconfirmed, Samsung has made at least one thing clear. The world’s largest phone brand is<\/em> introducing its next foldable phone, the third after the original Galaxy Fold<\/a><\/span> and Galaxy Z Flip<\/a>. The company made that statement in April<\/a>, in the same breath it said that another Galaxy Note (presumed to be the Galaxy Note 20<\/a><\/span>) is also in the lineup. <\/p>\n

These revelations aren’t terribly surprising, but it’s noteworthy that Samsung could release a premium and so-aspirational-it’s-almost-futuristic foldable design against today’s backdrop of the coronavirus pandemic<\/a><\/span>, global social unrest<\/a><\/span> and economic uncertainty<\/a><\/span>. Global phone sales plunged by 38% in February<\/a><\/span> compared to 2019. Samsung warned that its phone business will “drop sharply in most regions<\/a><\/span>” as a result of coronavirus-related slowdowns. And global device shipments are expected to dip by 14% in 2020<\/a><\/span> because of the outbreak and its subsequent disease<\/a><\/span>.<\/p>\n

The very extravagance of another pricy foldable phone could raise eyebrows at a time when companies, including Samsung<\/a>, seem to be falling back on cheaper devices, like the new Galaxy A51<\/a><\/span>, which retails for $400 and has already seen some significant limited-time sales.<\/p>\n

Perhaps Samsung is counting on the hype machine — and a possible second stimulus check<\/a><\/span> for the US — to stoke interest in the speculated Galaxy Fold 2? We’ll find out soon enough. This story updates frequently with the most important rumors. <\/p>\n

Galaxy Fold 2 August launch and release dates <\/h2>\n

What would you say to an Aug. 5 unveiling of the next batch of Galaxy phones and an Aug. 20 sale date for the Fold 2? That’s what’s on the rumor radar for the Galaxy Fold 2, Note 20 and a 5G version of the smaller, cheaper Galaxy Z Flip<\/a><\/span> foldable phone, according to Twitter leaks.<\/p>\n

I’ll point out that “launch” is a hazy term that’s commonly used in the industry to refer (at times) both to the unveiling date (e.g. the launch event) as well as the date the phone goes on sale (the retail launch). Just don’t confuse either one with the preorder date, which is often in between the two.<\/p>\n

There’s a logical pattern to the Aug. 5 reveal\/Aug. 20 sale date rumor, based on Samsung’s historical affinity for August. However, prolific mobile leaker Max Weinbach, who also writes for XDA Developers, has suggested the Galaxy Note 20 may not ship until September.<\/p>\n

Notably, Samsung’s Galaxy S20<\/a><\/span> Unpacked event was the last time the mobile industry congregated in full before concern over the spread of coronavirus put a stop to dozens of events<\/a><\/span> within and beyond the tech world…including Mobile World Congress the world’s largest mobile-focused show, and the 2020 Tokyo Olympics<\/a><\/span> (now 2021, we hope). <\/p>\n

It’s certainly possible that Samsung could postpone both unveilings in response to the coronavirus outbreak, say if factories are forced to close amidst a surge of new cases<\/a> or economic woes hem in consumer spending on high-priced goods. However, since Huawei, OnePlus and Apple have already hosted online events (or are about to<\/a><\/span>), it’s likely for Samsung to follow suit.<\/p>\n

Will the Galaxy Fold 2 be waterproof?<\/h2>\n

Water resistance is standard fare among premium smartphones, but the nature of the hinge and the price made it impossible for the first wave of foldables to take advantage of waterproofing technologies, Samsung told us at the time the original Galaxy Fold launched.<\/p>\n

That could change with the Galaxy Fold 2. Earlier this month, a patent for a water-resistant foldable phone design<\/a> that looks awfully similar to the Galaxy Fold appeared, Let’s Go Digital reported. The patent (PDF)<\/a> for ,”Electronic device including waterproof structure” details exactly how and where the waterproofing material would go inside the phone housing. <\/p>\n

Square ‘periscope’ camera, ticker notification on cover screen<\/h2>\n

The same Samsung patent application mentioned above also reveals two interesting design changes, Let’s Go Digital pointed out. First is the camera array, which shows three rear lenses, one of them square. That’s the same design Samsung’s Galaxy S20 Ultra<\/a><\/span> (and other phones) use for a periscope camera<\/a><\/span> designed to enhance optical and digital zoom. <\/p>\n

The second detail is a long, narrow ticker seen in the image above all the way to the right on the device cover screen. It’s clear that Samsung is at least experimenting with the idea of removing the original Fold’s 4.6-inch cover display — where you could open and use any Android app — with a ticker-style window for basic information like the date, time and notifications. <\/p>\n

Such a move would mean you need to use the phone in its open position and could potentially improve battery life from the original model. It’s also possible that — if there are<\/em> multiple Galaxy Fold models for 2020 — one of the cheaper devices could see a smaller outer screen.<\/p>\n

Is there a cheaper Galaxy Fold E or Fold Lite in the works?<\/h2>\n

What if there isn’t just one new Galaxy Fold headed our way, but two or even three? Weinbach tweeted<\/a> a rumor that Samsung could be making a Galaxy Fold E or Galaxy Fold Lite in addition to the more premium Galaxy Fold 2.<\/p>\n

Weinbach’s tweet even named a potential price: $1,100 for the cheaper model — or models — which could use a plastic screen compared to the Galaxy Fold 2’s ultrathin glass, or UTG. Weinbach’s uncertainty (“and keep in mind this is a rumor,” he wrote) leaves room for doubt, but it does suggest that Samsung’s experiment with cheaper models won’t stop with the $1,380 Galaxy Z Flip.<\/p>\n

Galaxy Fold 2 design: Same form, but better<\/h2>\n

It’s likely that the Galaxy Fold 2 would work off the original mold, nipping, tucking and refining along the way. Common logic would expect the same design that puts the larger folding screen on the inside of a device that opens like a book, and the sturdier, smaller screen on the outside “cover,” a shape that protects the inner screen from extra damage. The patent above hints at narrower dimensions when closed. <\/p>\n

Some of the earliest Galaxy Fold 2 rumors suggested that the phone could take on a new form with the larger screen on the outside, however, most rumors point to the Fold 2 looking more like the first Fold, with specs and cosmetic features that line up with the Galaxy S20. More on that below.<\/p>\n

The Galaxy Fold 2 could have a stylus. The original couldn’t<\/h2>\n

Nearly a year ago I proposed that the Galaxy Fold’s killer accessory would be a stylus<\/a><\/span>, just like on the Galaxy Note<\/a> family. The S Pen would make the Fold much more like a tablet and multitasking tool, and help distinguish Samsung’s foldable phone from the rest.<\/p>\n

There was just one problem with that. The original Fold’s plastic screen was too soft and infamously damage-prone<\/a><\/span> to sustain the pressure from a fingernail, much less a stylus. But with enough structural support and a flexible glass screen (ultrathin glass, or UTG) — which was first used with the Z Flip — the rumors of a Fold 2 with a stylus are possible.<\/p>\n

Other rumors have at times suggested that Samsung would abandon its plans to include the S Pen<\/a>. We’ll see how it all comes together.<\/p>\n

2 screens, 1 with a 120Hz refresh rate<\/h2>\n

There’s little doubt that the Galaxy Fold 2 would follow in the footsteps of the original with two screens — one on the outside to start short tasks, like launching a phone call or responding to a quick text, and the larger screen inside that does all the heavy lifting of video watching, multitasking and longer email composition. <\/p>\n

The larger screen is said to follow the Galaxy S20 with a 120Hz screen refresh rate<\/a>, while the smaller screen will top out at the default 60Hz screen (see below). The faster refresh rate makes scrolling, navigation and some games run extremely smooth, but it can also drink up battery life at a faster rate. It’s likely that the Fold 2’s 120Hz screen setting would be an option, with the typical 60Hz rate the default, as it is on the S20 phones.<\/p>\n

Galaxy Fold 2 cameras<\/h2>\n

The original Galaxy Fold took its camera cues from last year’s Galaxy S10 Plus<\/a>, so it stands to reason that the Fold 2 would do the same, drawing from the Galaxy S20 Plus’ camera array and design. That’s the content of a rumor from Max Weinbach, a Twitter leaker and contributor to XDA Developers<\/a>.<\/p>\n

If true, you could expect to see:<\/p>\n