A patent filed by Samsung suggests that the company is considering a double-fold smartphone that features two hinges and three displays. As of now, Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 are the most popular foldable smartphones in the world. Both these smartphones feature Samsung’s most refined foldable display technology yet. They were launched on August 11, 2021, during the first part of the Samsung Galaxy Unpacked event.
Samsung’s ambition for foldable smartphones shows in the company’s two-year-long scuffle to develop a durable design. The first foldable smartphone, Samsung Galaxy Fold was launched by the company back in 2019. However, there were a lot of shortcomings on the device. For instance, it had a rather soft display that was prone to scratches and permanent pressure marks. Additionally, the display was not as durable as a smartphone’s display should be. Nevertheless, Samsung has come a long way since then and shipping four times more Galaxy Z Series smartphones in 2021 than in 2020.
While Samsung is said to be working on the Galaxy Z Fold 4 and Flip 4 smartphones, a patent released on December 23, 2021, suggests that the company is also working on a double-fold smartphone. The patent was filed by Samsung back in June 2021 with the World Intellectual Property Organization. It was first spotted by a LetsGoDigital. The patent contains 42-pages of information about an ‘Electronic Device’ and it makes the current series of Samsung Galaxy Z foldable smartphones look obsolete.
The Triple-Hinge Fold Is Wild
The patent reveals a generous amount of details about the dual-fold smartphone by Samsung. To begin with, the smartphone contains three displays that would be foldable with the help of two hinges, one part of which will fold inwards and the other part will fold outwards making a Z-like shape. Such a design has been seen on a patent by OnePlus that surfaced in November 2021. When completely unfolded, the dual-fold smartphone could be used as a tablet, providing a large screen to the user. When folded, the smartphone will be much thicker and heavier than regular devices. Additionally, since it features three screens, one would remain at the top when the smartphone is folded.
More details revealed by the patent include the presence of a triple-rear camera along with an extra display on the back. Further, the device also features an in-display camera (like the one on Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3) and a fingerprint sensor. The patent also mentions that the double-fold smartphone by Samsung will support S Pen and feature an HDMI port. It is important to note that Samsung has already showcased the prototype of a multi-fold smartphone during the Display Week 2021 back in May and filed a patent for a smartphone with sliding panels. The current lineup of foldable smartphones from Samsung has one hinge (in the center of the screen) that lets the smartphone fold in half.
