Zavedení
Lze sklo ohýbat? Zní to nemožně – dokud se nesetkáte s UTG, nebo ultratenké sklo. Mezitím, film CPI, měkký a pružný polymer, skrývá překvapivou houževnatost. Tyto dva materiály jsou jádrem technologického souboje utvářejícího budoucnost skládacích smartphonů.
Od doby, kdy se objevily první skládací telefony v 2019, trh explodoval. Podle CINNOR Research, nad 1.3 V první polovině roku se v Číně prodalo milion skládacích telefonů 2022, převyšující všechny 2021. Vzestup skládací technologie znamená novou éru v mobilních inovacích, kde se materiálová věda setkává s uměním.
Skládací telefony – od konceptu po komerční realitu
Když skládací zařízení debutovala, vypadaly jako futuristické prototypy. Ale do čtyř let, staly se vážným segmentem trhu prémiových smartphonů. Problémy jako křehké obrazovky a viditelné záhyby se řeší. Ceny, jednou nad 20 000 jenů, nyní v Číně začínají na přibližně 5 999 jenech, přiblížit technologii masám.
Tento růst není jen výhrou pro značky telefonů – je to katalyzátor nové revoluce v dodavatelském řetězci flexibilní AMOLED displeje.
Závod o diferenciaci na trhu vyšší třídy
V 2022, Apple stále dominoval na trhu špičkových smartphonů – ale žádný skládací iPhone v dohledu. To otevřelo dveře čínským značkám, aby si vytvořily své místo.
Huawei, Xiaomi, Oppo, vivo, Čest, a Motorola skočil dovnitř, každý experimentuje s novými návrhy – knižním stylem, véčko, a dokonce i rolovatelné prototypy. Foldables se staly novou hranicí pro prestiž značky a vedoucí postavení v inovacích.
The Heart of the Battle – Cover Material Technology
While hinges ensure smooth folding, a cover layer defines how the phone feels and lasts. Two main contenders dominate this space:
- CPI (Colorless Polyimide) – The original flexible film
- VYDÁNÍ (Ultra-Thin Glass) – The bendable glass challenger
Their battle is a microcosm of the broader war between polymer flexibility and glass durability.
CPI (Colorless Polyimide) – The Flexible Polymer Pioneer
CPI was the first to make foldable screens possible. As a transparent high-performance polymer, it’s light, flexibilní, and highly foldable.
Však, CPI has several drawbacks—it ages easily, je softer than glass, and can scratch or yellow over time. Despite this, it was indispensable during the early phase of foldable innovation.
Early Adopters and Use Cases
The Samsung Galaxy Fold (2019) a Huawei Mate X both used CPI cover films. They demonstrated the material’s potential while exposing its weaknesses—surface scratches, glare, and plastic-like touch sensations.
These limitations pushed engineers to find a better balance between softness and strength.
VYDÁNÍ (Ultra-Thin Glass) – The Glass That Bends
Enter UTG: glass so thin it bends like a leaf. When the glass is less than 100 micrometers thick, it becomes flexible without losing its clarity.
UTG offers several advantages:
- Superior transparency and visual quality
- Better resistance to heat and folding marks
- A smoother, glass-like touch experience
But perfection comes at a price. UTG is difficult to produce—its yield rate is low, costs are high, and it’s still prone to shattering under pressure.
Samsung’s Breakthrough
The Galaxy Z Flip (2020) marked a turning point—it was the first mass-produced smartphone using UTG. This milestone pushed the entire industry forward, signaling that glass could be both elegant and elastic.
Consumers noticed: the tactile feel improved dramatically, and UTG instantly became a symbol of premium foldables.
Hybrid Solutions – Combining Strength and Flexibility
Instead of choosing between glass or film, manufacturers began combining both.
Samsung VYDÁNÍ + CPI hybrid places a thin CPI layer atop the UTG sheet—enhancing durability without sacrificing clarity.
Huawei took a different route, adopting a dual-layer CPI system for the Mate Xs, which increased strength by 80% and improved moisture resistance.
As Schott’s product director He Feng notes, “The future lies in composite structures. Foldable screens will always need a combination of materials—glass plus something else.”
The Supply Chain Landscape
The UTG supply chain is led by Germany’s Schott, which pioneered thin glass production over 30 years ago. Corning (USA) a NEG (Japan) follow closely.
v Číně, Lens Technology (Bourne Optics), Kaisheng, a Changxin are catching up fast—Bourne’s UTG has passed 500,000 fold tests, 25% above the industry average.
For CPI, key players include Sumitomo a SKC, zatímco Kolon prepares for mass production.
China’s growing involvement is reshaping global competition, driving down costs and boosting innovation speed.
Market Forecast and Future Trends
Experts predict that UTG will dominate future foldable smartphones. TrendBank’s research indicates that by 2025, UTG could reach a ¥20 billion market value, s 80% of foldables adopting glass covers.
CPI, však, won’t disappear. It may thrive in larger foldable devices—like tablets or laptops—where cost and fold radius requirements differ.
Hybrid UTG + PET designs are expected to define next-generation compact foldables.
The Next Chapter – Beyond Foldable Phones
The future isn’t limited to phones. UTG and CPI are paving the way for rollable TVs, wearable displays, a laptop-tablet hybrids.
With innovations in atomic-layer coatings and self-healing polymers, tomorrow’s materials might offer glass clarity with film flexibility—the best of both worlds.
Závěr
The duel between UTG and CPI is far from over—but it’s no longer a zero-sum game. Both materials have carved their place in the flexible display ecosystem.
In the coming years, expect them to coexist, merge, a evolve together, weaving the future of foldable technology—one bend at a time.
Časté časté
1. What makes UTG different from traditional glass?
UTG is ultra-thin and flexible, unlike standard glass. It can bend without breaking, making it suitable for foldable screens.
2. Why was CPI used before UTG?
CPI was easier and cheaper to produce during the early phase of foldable phone development, despite its lower durability.
3. Which brands currently use UTG technology?
Samsung, Huawei, Oppo, and several Chinese manufacturers have adopted or are testing UTG in their latest foldables.
4. Is UTG more durable than CPI?
In terms of visual quality and scratch resistance, Ano. Však, CPI remains more flexible and impact-resistant.
5. What’s next for foldable screen materials?
Hybrid materials that combine glass and polymer properties will likely define the next generation of flexible devices.
