Key Takeaways
1. The Samsung W25 is a premium version of the Galaxy Z Fold6, priced over $1,000, featuring advanced ultra-flexible glass (UFG).
2. UFG offers better display protection for foldable smartphones compared to previous materials like CPI plastic and ultra-thin glass (UTG).
3. Samsung sources its UFG from the glass manufacturer Schott, while a Chinese competitor is also developing UFG.
4. The Chinese supplier may provide Huawei with UFG by 2026 for the next generation of the Mate XT.
5. The potential introduction of UFG in the Mate XT 2 (or 3) could lead to higher prices and impact competition with devices like the Galaxy G Fold.
The Samsung W25 is a high-end variant of the Galaxy Z Fold6, a device that still goes for more than $1,000 on Amazon. Currently, it holds the title of the only mobile device worldwide that features advanced ultra-flexible glass (UFG).
UFG’s Advantages
This cutting-edge material is seen as a potentially improved option for display protection in foldable smartphones, especially when compared to the CPI plastic or even the ultra-thin glass (UTG) found in earlier models.
Furthermore, UFG is believed to come in different thicknesses, which could be beneficial for devices with displays that show traditional smartphone-sized sections at all times—like the original Huawei Mate XT.
Samsung’s Collaboration
Samsung has acquired its UFG from the well-known glass manufacturer Schott. However, rumors suggest that a competing Chinese company is also working on this material.
This Chinese supplier might be ready to provide Huawei with UFG by 2026 at the earliest, which could allow the Mate XT to start using it in its expected upcoming second generation.
Future Implications
If this happens, the “Mate XT 2” (or “3”) could end up being pricier than its first-generation tri-folding predecessor. This situation does not look promising for its expected competitor, the “Galaxy G Fold,” which might also feature the same advanced cover glass from Samsung in the not-so-distant future.
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