A Z-shaped Smartphone
Samsung Electronics may launch a foldable phone that can be folded twice into the letter Z.
LetsGoDigital, a Dutch online magazine specializing in the digital imaging industry, has recently unveiled a rendering image of a Z-shaped smartphone. The image was based on a photo posted on weibo by a Chinese blogger on Jan. 17. The photo, which caused unrest in the tech community, showed a Z-shaped device with “Galaxy Z” written above and a Samsung logo at the upper left corner. The photo is believed to be a leaked marketing picture.
One side of the Galaxy Z is folded inward and the other side folded outward. When folded twice, the device is as big as a regular smartphone. When fully expanded, it is as big as a tablet.
Samsung Electronics previously applied for a patent on a double-folding foldable phone. It folded on two hinges, creating a Z-shape, very similar to the leaked image.
LetsGoDigital speculates that Samsung Electronics may unveil two new foldable phones at the Galaxy Unpacked event to be held in San Francisco on Feb. 11. The tech giant will take the wraps off the Galaxy Z Flip, a clam shell-shaped foldable phone, along with the new Galaxy 20 lineup at the event.
It also notes the possibility of Samsung Electronics creating an entire foldable lineup – the Galaxy Z series.
It remains to be seen whether Samsung will actually release a bi-fold smartphone. In October 2019, Chinese smartphone producer TCL showed a similar prototype device. Earlier that year Xiaomi also showed a video of its CEO tinkering with a bi-fold phone named “Dual Flex.” Yet the company has not disclosed any plans to release a double-folding foldable phone.