Samsung has earned a particular rap for developing cheap plasticy phones. Whether you like the current design model or not, Samsung seems to be happy with it. To be perfectly honest, there’s no reason why they wouldn’t be since they are the top smartphone manufacturer. For the most part, they develop with plastic because it’s relatively easy to work with, and it’s also quite inexpensive.
I’m sure many of you will be happy to know, however that Samsung is actually looking into creating devices with carbon fiber in the future. The division of Samsung that handles build materials, Samsung Petrochemical just entered a joint venture with SGL Group. SGL is actually a carbon fiber developer, which means pretty much what you’d think. According to the press release on the joining, the combined forces will “develop new industrial and electronic applications with carbon composite materials for Samsung and the Korean market.”
The joint company will now rightfully be named Samsung SGL Carbon Composite Materials, and 50% will be owned by Samsung. The press release states that the new company will “provide a stable long-term supply of carbon fiber materials for Samsung and promote its use in various Samsung products and applications such as consumer electronics, medical devices and engineering applications.”
Don’t expect new materials in Samsung’s handsets to crop up anytime soon though. The boons from this joint venture probably won’t come into fruition for at least a year, maybe longer. That means the Galaxy Note III will probably be plasticy, just like the Galaxy S4.
The cost of using carbon fiber may end up being a little higher than Samsung is used to, so let’s hope this works out. Build quality will certainly benefit all around if Samsung ups their game in that department. To translate, other companies would be forced to adapt in order to compete with Samsung. That is, of course, except for HTC who released the gorgeous One handset.
Sammy fans, what do you think of this news? Are you happy to see that Samsung is looking into other options for build materials, or are you happy with the current state of the company’s handsets?