Samsung Display has made the decision to sell Ultra Thin Glass (UTG) to other smartphone manufacturers (which means other than Samsung Electronics), reports ETNews. Until now, it held back UTG to give its sibling business an advantage, as Galaxys were the only folders that used this type of glass (which is better than plastic).
However, Samsung Display decided that Galaxy has enough of an edge to stay on top, even though competing devices have UTG, and that they would rather expand its business (and partner Dowoo Insys) than maintain exclusivity. Right now, Samsung is the only supplier of UTG.
Google is name-checked in the report, suggesting that the collapsible Pixel uses UTG and a flexible AMOLED panel from Samsung. An earlier rumor claimed that it would also have a disappearing under-display camera, like the Galaxy Fold3, possibly using the same technology that was recently demoted.
A concept rendering of a foldable Google Pixel (image credit)
The plan is for Samsung Display to open access to its UTG supply in the second half of this year, but Google may not be the first to jump on board. Rumor has it that other companies (Xiaomi and Huawei reportedly) have also expressed interest in UTG.
This is a similar path to the one taken by Samsung Display’s Super AMOLED panels – originally exclusive to Samsung devices to make them stand out, these panels are now available (and actually quite common) on other brands as well .
