At its developer conference, Samsung provided a sneak peek at a concept for a new foldable smartphone that has a vertical fold, similar to that of an old flip phone, instead of a horizontal fold like its recently released Galaxy Fold device. The tech company displayed the device in a video clip that begins with the Galaxy Fold opening and closing before moving to a new model that closes in half in the style of a clamshell, CNBC reported.
According to the outlet, it is not clear if Samsung intends to commercially roll out the device. The firm said in a statement per Reuters that it could not comment on future products, but that it is “committed to pioneering the foldable category, including investing in the development of new form factors.” A spokesperson for the tech company was not available for comment immediately when contacted by CNBC.
We’d love to be your preferred source for news.
Please add us to your preferred sources list so our news, data and interviews show up in your feed. Thanks!
Per the report, the phone is said to be a “brief teaser” of future innovations, as Samsung and its competitors strive to find new ways to update and improve smartphone designs. Xiaomi has teased a gadget that folds into a phone from a tablet that can be held with a single hand, while Huawei recently rolled out its folding Mate X phone.
Foldable devices have reportedly had a difficult start. Huawei Technologies Co. needed to delay the Mate X, while reviewers were said to be unimpressed with Royole Corp.’s FlexPai. And Samsung reportedly faced a design defect that pushed back the release of the Galaxy Fold.
“I’m intrigued to see if a manufacturer can deliver a clamshell design that takes the current smartphone footprint and lets you fold it in half like a wallet in a similar manner to mobile phones of yesterday, such as the iconic Motorola Razr,” CCS Insight Analyst Ben Wood said, per a report in September. “That’s what the world is probably waiting for.”
Add as Preferred Source
