Goldman Sachs: Samsung could pose a serious problem for Apple | 01:03:19

Rumors surrounding a flip-up smartphone from Samsung have been confirmed. According to some analysts at Goldman Sachs, this may be a big problem for rival Apple.

On Wednesday night, Samsung introduced a new class of devices with a smartphone that unfolds on a tablet. Although there were already rumors anticipated – the South Koreans had already shown a prototype in San Francisco in November – but already had a production model and even a date of sale was called, it was a surprise.

Apple suspended

The new Galaxy Fold has on the front only a small screen with a diagonal of 4.6 inches, in the unfolded state it comes on a large screen of 7.3 inches (18.5 cm). Already on April 26, the world's first collapsible smartphone for $ 1,980 (excluding VAT) to enter the market.

The team of analysts at Goldman Sachs around Rod Hall believes that Samsung can clearly depend on its competitors foldable Apple phones, at least in the short term. In terms of competition, Apple's new device is the "biggest potential challenge" in the smartphone market, citing "Business Insider Germany" by one analyst.

According to Goldman analysts, these foldable devices can only be made using Samsung's OLED technology. Here the South Koreans are ahead of the competition for at least two years. Critically for Apple is now that concern the views of its high-end Samsung iPhones and therefore depends on the South Koreans. If the new device turns out to be a success, it is feared that Samsung will deny Americans access to flexible new technology.

Everything half wild?

But perhaps the concerns are unfounded. For example, Goldman Sachs experts pointed out that although Samsung introduced the device on stage, it did not allow media representatives to test Galaxy Fold after the event. This may be an indication that the foldable smartphone might not be ready yet.

Christoph Schmidt was even more skeptical of the Business Insider: "As good as it gets when you open it, but it's so bulky in the bent state," says Fegra Capital technology analyst. His strongest critic, however, is directed against the high price. He points out that competing Apple has gotten into trouble as it seems to have screwed up the price of the screw for its iPhones. Schmidt specialist sees Samsung in this case not as a new innovator in the smartphone market – on the contrary: "It is more an expression of the despair of Samsung."

Editors finanzen.ch