A patent filed by Samsung Display allows the manufacturer to protect the concept of a working prototype that it has already exhibited at CES 2024 and that Frandroid was able to discover. Enough to give hope that the device will one day come to market.
The Samsung Flex Hybrid prototype that folds and extends // Source: Frandroid
When we think of the concept of a foldable smartphone, we naturally think of Samsung. The Korean brand is undoubtedly the one that has invested the most time and resources in this category of devices – even if the competition is getting tougher. And after releasing the Galaxy Z Fold 5 in 2023, the brand is probably working on the Galaxy Z Fold 6 in 2024… but not only that.
At CES 2024 in Las Vegas in January, Frandroid had the opportunity to see several interesting Samsung display prototypes. Particularly among them was the Flex hybrid.
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However, the website Caliber Cleaning and the leaker xleaks7 ended up in the hands of a patent filed in the US in February (PDF) from the same Samsung Display branch. The document describes exactly the concept of the Flex Hybrid.
Rendering of a foldable and expandable smartphone based on the Samsung patent // Source: Caliber Cleaning and xleaks7
Rendering of a foldable and expandable smartphone based on the Samsung patent // Source: Caliber Cleaning and xleaks7
The concept of the Samsung Flex Hybrid
The Samsung Flex Hybrid is a prototype that takes on the look of a Galaxy Z Fold. It is a foldable smartphone that can be opened and closed like a book. But there is a little special feature here: the inner screen is not only foldable, but also extendable. Therefore, it is possible to slightly increase the size of the panel by pulling one of the edges of the device.
The idea is to be able to benefit from a larger display if desired. But the idea is also to have the possibility of expanding the screen when the smartphone is folded. We then benefit from a small vertical strip on the side that can be practical for viewing notifications or interacting with certain widgets.
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To enable this expansion, the inner shade is partially rolled up. And if desired, the plate can be completely folded out and unfolded.
Reasons to believe it?
It is precisely this hybrid smartphone concept that describes the Samsung display patent, which was filed a month after we discovered the prototype. Enough to point out that the Korean giant has some ideas for this type of device.
A patent does not necessarily mean that a product will subsequently be commercialized. Still, it is an important document to protect an idea just in case. However, here we see that Samsung has planned the administrative aspect to protect its back, but also the technological part by being able to exhibit a working prototype.
Some would say that all that remains is to refine the design and produce it on a large scale… It is more complicated than that, of course, but there is reason to believe it.
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