Samsung Galaxy Z series -Future of Flip smartphones

Samsung patents a unique smartphone with a flexible display that folds out from the back to the front of the phone.

Samsung does not intend to give up its leading position just like that. Foldable smartphone sales are expected to continue to rise sharply in the coming years, according to a recently released industry report from research firm Canalys .

The growing sales numbers will stimulate Samsung to develop even more different types of phone models with a flexible display. For example, Samsung Display has already shown various prototypes, including a pull-out Galaxy Z Slide smartphone and a double-foldable smartphone.

Meanwhile, the South Korean manufacturer also regularly patents new form factors. Already reported last month about a multi-foldable Samsung smartphone . This time it is a Samsung phone with a screen that is partly foldable.

To bring this special smartphone design to life, graphic designer Jermaine Smit, aka Concept Creator.

Samsung Galaxy smartphone with flip display

It concerns a patent that was filed by Samsung Electronics with the WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organization) in mid-2021. 

The 66-page documentation entitled ‘Electronics device comprising flexible display’ was approved and published on January 20, 2022.

In its most compact form, the device has a similar form factor to a regular mobile phone. What is unique, however, is that the display on the top left extends to the rear.

 If you turn the phone over, you will see that the screen surface extends right next to the vertical camera system.

However, it is not a regular dual display phone , as has been released by various manufacturers in the past.

 This advanced Samsung smartphone has a flexible screen, so it is possible to include the screen surface that is standard on the back with the front. When unfolded, the device has a P-shape in mirror image.

To make this possible, an ingenious hinge has been built into the side of the frame, below the folding screen. The hinge is designed in such a way that it does not break easily if the user accidentally wants to bend the screen too far. 

The patent documentation also states that the screen will be equipped with UTG (Ultra Thin Glass) – as we know from the current Galaxy Z series of smartphones.

Three magnets prevent the Flip display from suddenly detaching from the back. Very handy, otherwise damage could occur when you carry the device with you and unintentionally unfold it.

 The user can simply pull the screen off the back panel, after which the display surface is pulled from the back to the main screen.

Because the lower part of the smartphone remains unchanged – regardless of the position of the screen – the user retains a good grip on the device. Sensors can be used to determine how the mobile device is used, after which the interface is automatically adjusted.

For example, it is possible to use the extra screen surface to create a wide display – useful when watching a movie or taking ultra-wide-angle photos. The operation can then be shown on the lower display part. If desired, the control can also be easily moved to the left side. In that case, the content can be shown over the entire length of the right display part.

The documentation also talks about a picture-in-picture situation. By fully expanding the phone screen, the picture-in-picture is automatically shown on the extra screen part, so that you can continue to see both photos in full. This functionality can also come in handy during a video call.

There are many situations imaginable in which an extra large screen surface is desired. The idea is also somewhat similar to the LG Wing . With that device, however, two displays were placed one behind the other, which can be rotated in such a way that a T-shape is created. Samsung’s approach appears to be at least as versatile and sustainable. In addition, the device remains particularly slim in its most compact form.

In its most compact form, the extra screen part will be located at the rear. This creates a dual display phone, where the rear screen part can be used as a viewfinder for taking high-resolution selfies with the main camera. The screen is nicely recessed, thanks to the cutout that has been made on the back panel.

A vertical camera system is installed right next to the display. It involves three camera lenses and a flash. Details about the sensors and lenses are not known. Presumably it concerns a wide-angle, ultra-wide-angle and a telephoto lens – as we also know from foldable smartphones such as the Galaxy Z Fold 3 .

The patented Samsung Galaxy phone also has a front camera. The patent images and product renders show a centrally placed punch-hole selfie camera, as we know from the recently introduced Galaxy S22 series. However, it is also possible that Samsung will use an under-display camera – as was also used with the Z Fold 3.

Although the under-display camera is still inferior to a punch-hole camera system in terms of image quality, this is less important with this smartphone because selfies and video calls can also be made via the main camera.

Finally, the documentation states that the patented Samsung Galaxy phone is equipped with two batteries, as we also see with the Z Flip and Z Fold smartphones of the brand. Whether and when Samsung will introduce such a type of smartphone in the future remains unknown.

The South Korean manufacturer has for the time being refrained from introducing a dual-display phone. Over time, the company has applied for various patents for such a device. 

It is certainly not inconceivable that Samsung saw too little added value in such a model at the time. However, by making it a flexible screen, various additional user functions are created. As the use of a flexible screen becomes cheaper, this can form an interesting alternative to regular smartphone models.

Source -LETSGO DIGITAL

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