Samsung's plans for foldable phones are more ambitious than we thought.
A recently filed patent suggests that Samsung may be working on a device capable of folding into four parts.
Samsung continues to innovate in the field of foldable phones and has presented a new patent that suggests the possibility of a device capable of folding not just twice, but four times, thanks to the incorporation of three independent hinges. This design would allow the device to expand to a considerable size, comparable to that of many current tablets.
Although it is early to make definitive claims based solely on a patent blueprint, the available information suggests that the final product could be somewhat bulkier than conventional smartphones. The design includes a larger central hinge, while the outer panels fold inward in two steps: first over themselves and then over the inner halves, thus achieving a size similar to that of a modern phone, albeit with much greater thickness.
Another additional diagram reveals the final outcome of the design. Although the proportions in the plans may vary, it is clear that this new device would be thicker than any phone in Samsung's current lineup. It has not yet been defined how the screen layout would work in this model. When fully deployed, it seems to offer a tablet-like screen. However, there is concern about whether there would be internal screens if the device folds in half.
The concept of adding additional screens presents significant engineering challenges, making it difficult to establish a possible price. Although everything is speculation at this moment, there are no official statements from Samsung regarding this device nor any concrete plans for its development. However, the recent patent is an intriguing indicator in what appears to be a competition in the development of foldable devices.
If Samsung decides to move forward with this project, it would mark a milestone in the market, with the potential to significantly transform the tablet sector, especially if executed effectively. There are interesting opportunities for productivity-oriented applications, with multiple apps operating on different sides of the screen, as well as for multimedia content consumption.