Samsung rumored to release a foldable smartphone next year

[jamezr]

Can't wait for this to happen! C'mon Samsung let get this done already....
I know these rumors been repeated before but they seem to be gathering steam.

According to a new report from ETNews, Samsung has been working on a foldable smartphone since three years. It is being reported that it could transform into a 5-inch smartphone when folded or a 7-inch tablet when opened. The company has partnered with local as well as foreign firms and acquired most of the technologies that are required to make such a product.

The foldable smartphone is said to feature an OLED display that could be folded in half like a wallet, so it would be easier to carry the device in a pocket. Samsung Display, which is in charge of developing the foldable OLED display, is said to have already finished with the development of a prototype.

http://www.sammobile.com/2016/05/01/samsung-rumored-to-release-a-foldable-smartphone-next-year/

http://www.sammobile.com/2015/12/03...le-smartphone-will-make-the-phablet-complete/

 

[Savor]

Looks like the clamshell form factor is ready to make a comeback and change the game for phablets and tablets forever...

 

[ozaz]

I can see myself being interested in something like this as a way to reduce phone size (e.g. carry 6" phone with the footprint of a 3" phone).

But I can't see myself being interested in this as a way to combine my phone and tablet usage into a single device. My phone has difficulty getting through the day when just acting as a phone. So until there's a seismic shift in battery technology or device efficiency I'd rather continue using a separate dedicated tablet for tablet stuff.

 

[MRU]

I'm interested in seeing it, but concerned about the genuine practicality and how content such as games and movies will work - if the centre part of the fold will break immersion for media consumption.

It's definitely going to be a rev 1 product, so I'll likely wait till the re-iteration after before I purchased myself.

 

[Klyster]

Yup,1st edition will be like an engineering experiment at first IMO. .. Costly and few and far between.

Hopefully I'm totally wrong though...

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

I like the idea of a foldable screen as long as you can use it most of the time without having to unfold it, if that makes sense? For example having a phone that can be expanded when needed but used mostly as a smaller screen phone. I think we've moved on from having to unfold a phone every time you want to use it. My last folding/flip phone was the Motorola Pebl.

 

[spinedoc77]

Hell yeah, I'm first in line for this. Don't care how much it costs or if it doesn't work well.

 

[LIVEFRMNYC]

Hell yeah, I'm first in line for this. Don't care how much it costs or if it doesn't work well.

Damn Right!!! Count me in.

 

[LIVEFRMNYC]

Yup,1st edition will be like an engineering experiment at first IMO. .. Costly and few and far between.

Hopefully I'm totally wrong though...

They have been working on prototypes for a long time now.

Worst case scenario, it'll be a figurative repeat of the Note 4 edge, which wasn't bad at all but didn't catch on. Then would be refined next gen.

 

[Klyster]

Yeah I hope I'm wrong, really.

I'm thinking it will be like the Galaxy round though, for a start, an engineering exercise. Gotta start somewhere eh?

 

[kdarling]

I like the idea of a foldable screen as long as you can use it most of the time without having to unfold it, if that makes sense?

The prototype / concept they showed off a couple of years ago, also had a screen on the folded front to use:

It'd be nice, but perhaps prohibitively expensive, to include one on the initial product.

The main things they've been working on all these years are making sure the circuits can stand more than a few hundred opening/closings... and designing hinge systems to make the bend as non-sharp as possible.

 

[mclld]

People whine and cry about build quality all day and want metal bodies, this seems like a tricky thing with a foldable screen

 

[C DM]

People whine and cry about build quality all day and want metal bodies, this seems like a tricky thing with a foldable screen

And then there's this:

Hell yeah, I'm first in line for this. Don't care how much it costs or if it doesn't work well.

Damn Right!!! Count me in.

 

[jamezr]

And then there's this:

and you're point is?????

 

[C DM]

and you're point is?????

You made comment relating to quality, I pointed out people already saying (in this very thread) they would be happy to spend money on it regardless of how well (or not well) it all actually works.

 

[mclld]

To be clear, this is an awesome tech and I personally think it will be great

 

[jamezr]

Here are some of the prototypes

The sound is really high on this one...

 

[Surf Donkey]

Here are some of the prototypes

Wow that hurt to watch.

Sounds like Sammy is hitting up 5 flagships next year:

http://www.sammobile.com/2016/05/13/samsung-will-launch-five-galaxy-flagship-smartphones-in-2017/

The five new flagships will include the Galaxy S8, the Galaxy S8 edge, the Galaxy Note 7, the Galaxy Note 7 edge, as well as the Galaxy X. The first four flagships are said to use a 2.5K resolution Super AMOLED display with an RBG subpixel arrangement. The Galaxy X is going to be Samsung’s foldable smartphone and is going to feature a 4K display with diamond PenTile subpixel arrangement.

 

[spinedoc77]

Wow that hurt to watch.

Sounds like Sammy is hitting up 5 flagships next year:

http://www.sammobile.com/2016/05/13/samsung-will-launch-five-galaxy-flagship-smartphones-in-2017/

Jeez, 4k!?? Pretty cool, not sure how useful but oh well. I'm still first in line for this one.

 

[jamezr]

Jeez, 4k!?? Pretty cool, not sure how useful but oh well. I'm still first in line for this one.

Don't agree with the 4K.....i think it will hurt battery life. I still want my phone to last all day and then some even if it is foldable.

 

[Surf Donkey]

Lenovo with the cross hook to the jaw:

 

[MRU]

Lenovo with the cross hook to the jaw:

I assume LG are also looking at this tech going forward as they were developing bendable (although the flex & flex 2 bent differently to samsung).

 

[jamezr]

I assume LG are also looking at this tech going forward as they were developing bendable (although the flex & flex 2 bent differently to samsung).

Yes they do! LG has some very nice screen technology too!
Checkout this video...

 

[mountain]

Can't see myself using one right now. maybe when the product mature.

 

[Surf Donkey]

Yeah, really good innovation here.... I mean this is just badass:

https://plus.google.com/photos/photo/107797272029781254158/6294260126850580434