As early as CES 2013, Samsung has been aiming to come up with future technologies using foldable displays. The last few months, an influx of patents and concept renders have surfaced which indicate Samsung might make good on its promise to come up with a foldable smartphone in 2017.
The latest Samsung concept handset design, according to GSMArena, looks like it is made up of two distinct pieces that are sandwiched together, back to back. One part is covered entirely with the display and the other houses the internals of the unit.
The report is actually just one of many Samsung rumors. However, it is safe to note that the technology to create bendable or foldable devices does exist. The question is where are they? According to Android Authority, the issue not only lies with compatibility but volume. They say even if the technology is interesting, they can't risk investing on a new project, which only means the demand must come first.
With this development from Samsung, might we expect to finally see working foldable handsets or devices? Back in 2014, a Samsung executive made a bold claim that Samsung's display-making subsidiary is gearing for the production of such flexible displays, stating they will be able to produce 30,000 to 40,000 of them each month by the end of 2015.
When 2015 came, Weibo leaked Samsung is working on "Project Valley" aka "Project V," right after another Samsung official announced the company is building a bendable phone. The unit is said to be one continuous screen that covers two halves of the phone.
Furthermore, various design concepts came out for bendable and foldable devices employing the flexible screen Samsung demonstrated at CES 2013. This year, rumors only restarted when Bloomberg reported Samsung is working on not one, but two devices with foldable displays.
The report states that the first device folds in half while the other has a 5-inch screen in folded form that increases to as much as 8-inches when unfolded. The only instance when all this will be confirmed is when Samsung itself makes the announcement expectedly during Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona next year.
