Samsung this week launched its Fold smartphone, whose main-display unfolds from 5 inches to 7 inches. The Fold is the most important smartphone since iPhone in 2007. We like it. Clients can read our full analysis of the Fold here and here.

Huawei next week will introduce its rival Mate X foldable smartphone.

The foldable wars have begun...

Samsung and Huawei are battling for control of a US$2 billion worldwide folderphone market this year.

Here is a summary of what is known or speculated so far, on Fri 22 Feb, 2019:

* Samsung Fold = 4G / 4.6-inch external screen / 7.3-inch internal / Qualcomm 855 (7nm) / Adreno 640 / Available Q2 2019.
* Huawei Mate X = 5G / at least 7-inch internal screen / Kirin 980 (7nm) / Balong 5000 / Available in 2019.

Both are luxury models, priced in the US$1-2k wholesale range.

Who is winning?

Certainly not Apple, whose foldable iPhone is at least 1 to 2 years away.

Right now, it looks like a tie. Samsung has first-mover advantage with slick design. Huawei may surprise with 5G usability.

More to come next week...