In an exciting development for the future of smartphones, Samsung has unveiled a groundbreaking patent for a device that features a revolutionary 360-degree foldable design. This innovative approach sets the stage for a new class of foldable devices, compelling both tech enthusiasts and everyday users alike.
Currently, most foldable smartphones on the market utilize an inward folding design, protecting the main screen with an outer shell and providing a secondary display for essential notifications and tasks. Some manufacturers, such as Huawei, have introduced outward folding devices, which allow the screen to wrap around the back. However, these designs often lack durability due to the constant exposure of part of the display.
Samsung’s newly patented device changes the game by offering the capability to fold both inward and outward, effectively removing the need for a separate cover display. Leaked images from @xleaks7 reveal that, even when folded, the device maintains an exposed display strip positioned beneath the camera modules.
The patent outlines Samsung’s unique self-developed supportive layers situated beneath the ultra-thin glass (UTG) flexible screen. These layers include flexible polymer substrates and an adhesive layer, all designed to offer exceptional durability. The device employs multiple fold axes paired with custom support plates, allowing it to bend in both directions, thanks to an innovative lattice and stripe pattern.
In fact, Samsung showcased a similar "Flex In & Out" concept at a 2023 event. However, there has been little news since then regarding its transition to a commercially available product.
