A Phone That Is Folded into a Z-shape
With Samsung Electronics reportedly developing a tri-fold smartphone that folds twice, its patent documents on the new form factor filed with the World Intellectual Property Organization have been disclosed.
LetsGoDigital, an information technology (IT) media outlet based in the Netherlands, has recently unveiled a computer-rendered image of Samsung's Galaxy Tri-Fold based on the patent documents.
The Galaxy Tri-Fold’s display consists of three parts which can be folded into a Z-shape. One display part is folded backwards, while the other is folded forwards.
According to the patent documents, the Galaxy Tri-Fold’s front display is loaded with a fingerprint sensor and an under display camera (UDC). A small display is installed on its back, making it easier to take selfies. In addition, it supports S Pens and HDMI connectors.
When the Galaxy Tri-Fold is folded twice, its screen is exposed to the outside, naturally becoming a cover display, so there is no need to add a separate external display like the Galaxy Z-fold series. However, the IT media outlet reported that the foldable phone may become somewhat thicker and heavier as the three displays overlap with one another.
Earlier in August, Samsung Display unveiled a prototype of the Galaxy Tri-Fold under the name Flex In & Out at the 2021 Korea Display Exhibition (IMID 2021). Samsung Electronics also secured patents for dual-fold and tri-fold technologies
Analysts say that Samsung Electronics is seeking to raise the technology bar in the face of a hot pursuit by Chinese companies. Recently, China’s Huawei and Oppo unveiled the P50 Pocket and Oppo Find N, respectively, models similar to the Galaxy foldable phone series.