Why this cool Samsung prototype could see the light of day

Imagine a phone that seamlessly transforms from a compact pocket companion to a spacious tablet with a simple swipe. This isn't science fiction, but the captivating vision behind Samsung's Flex Hybrid, a conceptual device unveiled at CES 2023 that pushes the boundaries of mobile display technology.

A patent filed by Samsung Display allows the manufacturer to protect the concept of a functional prototype that it has already exhibited at CES 2024 and that Frandroid was able to discover. Enough to give some hope of seeing the device one day arrive on the market.

When we think of the concept of a folding smartphone, we think of Samsung. The Korean brand is undoubtedly the one that has invested the most time and resources in this category of devices – even if the competition is increasingly fierce. And after releasing the Galaxy Z Fold 5 in 2023, the brand is probably working on the Galaxy Z Fold 6 in 2024.

However, the Caliber Cleaning site and the leaker xleaks7 got their hands on a patent filed in the United States in February (PDF) by the same Samsung Display branch. The document precisely describes the very concept of the Flex Hybrid.

The concept of the Samsung Flex Hybrid

The Samsung Flex Hybrid is a prototype that takes on the appearance of a Galaxy Z Fold. So, it is a folding smartphone that opens and closes like a book. But here there is a small peculiarity: the internal screen is not only foldable but also extendable. It is therefore possible to slightly enlarge the size of the panel by pulling one of the edges of the device.

The idea is to be able to take advantage of a larger display if you wish. But the idea is also to have the possibility of extending the screen when the smartphone is folded. We then benefit from a small vertical strip on the side which can be practical for consulting notifications or interacting with certain widgets.

To be able to be extended in this way, the internal screen is partly rolled up. And when requested, the slab unfolds to deploy in its entirety.

Reasons to believe it?

It is therefore precisely this hybrid smartphone concept that the Samsung Display patent describes, filed a month after we discovered the prototype. Enough to suggest that the Korean giant has some ideas for this type of device.

A patent does not necessarily mean that a product will subsequently be commercialized. Nevertheless, it is an important document to protect an idea, just in case. However, here, we see that Samsung has planned the administrative aspect to protect its back, but also the technological part by being able to exhibit a functional prototype.

Some would say that all that remains is to refine the design and produce massively... It's more complicated than that, but there is reason to believe it.