The Galaxy Fold is not only Samsung's first folding smartphone, but also the first 5G handset on the market
Seeking to rev up demand in the slumping smartphone market, Samsung on Wednesday unveiled a folding handset, becoming the first major manufacturer to offer the feature.
The South Korean giant's Galaxy Fold, unveiled at a San Francisco event, serves as a smartphone with a 4.6-inch HD+ Super AMOLED (21:9) display and unfolds to become a tablet of 7.3 inches withQXGA+ (QHD+) Dynamic AMOLED (4.2:3) Infinity Flex display.
"We are giving you a device that doesn't just define a new category, it defies category," said Samsung's Justin Denison at the event.
The Fold will be available April 26 starting at US$1,980, the company said.
The move comes with the smartphone market in its worst-ever decline with consumers keeping devices longer and waiting for new innovations.
Samsung made the announcement on the home turf of rival Apple, with the two giants battling for the premium segment of the market.
Denison said the Fold is "a one of a kind luxury device with immersive visuals" and offers "a truly next generation experience" that enables multitasking on its large screen.
