Still young but booming, the world of foldable smartphones could be on the cusp of a major transformation. A pioneer and market leader along with Huawei, Samsung has just had a bold patent approved by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (UPSTO). The document reveals a foldable phone concept capable of folding not only inward, like current "Fold" models, but also outward, thanks to a 360-degree hinge. This idea, if it comes to fruition, could shake up the folding smartphone industry in the same way as the Mate XT folding in three.
Soon the end of the secondary screen?
Samsung and LG have been working on the idea of introducing a 360-degree foldable screen for several years. The most visible consequence of this design would be the potential disappearance of the cover screen (or external screen). Today, devices like the Galaxy Z Fold rely on a secondary display for quick interactions when the device is closed, protecting the large, flexible main display. The approach described in Samsung’s patent would eliminate this need: a single, large, flexible display would serve all purposes, adapting to the user’s chosen configuration – fully open, folded inward, or even folded outward. The user experience would be more fluid and truly "all-in-one".
In order to make this flexibility possible For its bidirectional hinge, Samsung is banking on a flexible ultra-thin glass (UTG) display (like the future folding iPhone), already in use but probably improved, supported by a multi-layer structure composed of flexible polymers and specific adhesives. The hinge is described as having two distinct folding axes and a unique internal support plate, potentially in the form of a lattice, designed to allow curvature in both directions while ensuring durability and integrity. structural integrity of the whole.
The patent images, revealed by leaker David Kowalski (@xleaks7) also show a small strip of screen visible below the rear camera sensors, even when the device is fully folded inwards. This area would be used to display notifications or important information, a feature that would avoid having to open the device every time.
Samsung must innovate to compete with Huawei
This patent is part of a broader trend where manufacturers are no longer hesitant to experiment with foldable formats. Huawei, for example, recently launched the Pura X, a clamshell model with an unusual format. Samsung's initiative, with this 360-degree concept, appears to be one of the most ambitious to date. It would allow the South Korean firm to reaffirm its leadership after a difficult 2024.
It is worth remembering that a patent does not guarantee the commercialization of a finished product. Nonetheless, this concept offers an interesting glimpse into Samsung's vision for the future of foldable phones, a vision where flexibility would reach a new level.
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