Samsung’s Foldable Phone Plans Are More Ambitious Than Expected

Samsung has been at the forefront of foldable smartphones, and with the Galaxy Z Fold 7 nearing its launch, exciting new possibilities have surfaced. A recent patent reveals that Samsung’s ambitions for foldable devices may extend further than what was previously imagined. According to a report from SamMobile, the company is exploring the concept of a display that can fold not twice, not thrice, but four times, using three separate hinges. This innovative design could potentially allow the device to unfold into a substantial screen size, comparable to many tablet models.

While it’s important to remember that a patent doesn’t guarantee that a product will hit the market, the sketches included provide a glimpse of what such a device could entail. Initial assessments suggest it may be somewhat bulky. The largest hinge, positioned centrally, facilitates the folding of the outer sections inward two times—first onto themselves and then onto the inner panels. This results in a device similar to the current layout of smartphones but several times thicker.

Another diagram illustrates the potential final version of the device. While size may be an issue in the design sketches, it’s clear that this device would likely be thicker than any of Samsung’s current smartphones.

It remains unclear how the configuration of the screen would function. When fully opened, the display appears to operate like a tablet, but if the device is only half-folded, would there also be usable internal screens? The complexity of additional displays and the engineering required raises questions about the anticipated price tag, but it is likely to be a high-end device.

All of this remains hypothetical at this point. Samsung has not released any official comments on whether such a device exists or if they plan to develop one, but the patent hints at exciting potential in the ongoing evolution of foldable technology.

If Samsung does launch a device like this, it could be among the first of its kind in the market. If executed correctly, it has the potential to redefine the tablet landscape, offering innovative ways for multitasking with different apps displayed on various sections of the screen, as well as a superior platform for media consumption.