Global Dual Foldable Phone Patent Release
Infolding and Outfolding with Two Hinges Applied
[Asia Economy Reporter Han Jinju] Samsung Electronics has filed a patent related to a foldable display that folds twice. There is growing interest in whether a foldable smartphone that folds twice, like the name of the Galaxy Z series, will be released.
On the 20th (local time), Samsung Electronics filed a patent for a 'multi-foldable electronic device' that folds twice in a Z shape with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).
While the currently released foldable displays fold inward, the patent filed by Samsung features a design that folds both inward and outward. It requires two hinges to support the foldable display.
It is difficult to confirm at this point whether Samsung is actually developing a foldable phone that folds in a Z shape, as suggested by the Z series naming. The newly filed patent changes the structure to reduce the folded thickness for better portability. Previously, Samsung Electronics filed a patent in August last year for technology that allows the screen to fold in a Z shape.
A downside is that about one-third of the display folds outward when folding in a Z shape, making it prone to damage. The patent filed by Samsung does not provide detailed explanations about technologies or designs that could mitigate this drawback.
It is too early to conclude that Samsung has actually developed or will release a foldable smartphone that folds twice. This could be just one idea conceived during the process of considering new form factors after the Galaxy Z Flip or Z Fold2, and no prototype has been revealed. If the foldable smartphone market grows and display durability improves, it could lead to an actual release.
At a press conference held immediately after the Unpacked event in February, Samsung Electronics’ Mobile Communications Business President (CEO) Tae-moon Roh said, "The Galaxy Z Flip went through 2 to 3 years of development and trial and error, and we are continuously researching and developing various foldable phones." He added, "We can try various forms, such as folding more than twice, but the first criterion is what value it provides to consumers and how conveniently they can carry it."
IT specialist media SamMobile explained, "There is a possibility that Samsung will release a new Z-shaped foldable while maintaining the existing Galaxy Z Flip design," and added, "It seems they want to create various form factors rather than unify them into one."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
