Foldable smartphones use UTG and CPI, Samsung Display may win Huawei orders

According to THE ELEC, market research firm UBI research said on Monday that in the next at least five years, the cover of foldable smartphones will use both ultra-thin flexible glass (UTG) and colorless polyimide (CPI) protective layer materials.

UBI research predicts that global shipments of CPI and UTG will reach 4.5 million and 3.5 million units respectively this year. Taking into account the market prospects of foldable OLED panels and the profitability of panel manufacturers, the research company pointed out that these two materials will continue to grow in the next five years. By 2024, CPI is expected to ship 37.1 million units and UTG shipments will reach 30.5 million units.

(Image source: UBI Research)

South Korean media pointed out that last year, Samsung Electronics, Huawei, Motorola and Royole all applied CPI flexible protective layer on the covers of their respective foldable smartphones.

It is understood that Samsung Display, which provides foldable OLED panels for Samsung Electronics, uses Sumitomo Chemical's CPI flexible protective layer; BOE and Royole use related products from South Korea's Kolon Industries.

In addition, Samsung Electronics first introduced UTG on the Galaxy Z Flip launched earlier this year, and the company is reportedly planning to apply UTG to the cover of the Galaxy Fold 2 to be released later this year.

UBI Research expects that in the future, Samsung Display will supply UTG's foldable OLED panels to Samsung Electronics, while providing Huawei with OLED panels using CPI.

UBI Research added that most other manufacturers will also use CPI flexible protective layers, but are also studying foldable OLED panels using UTG.