Samsung's latest dual-foldable phone patent is very similar to Xiaomi's concept

Samsung’s Galaxy Fold is set to be available this May, but initial hands-on reviews are not really sold on the inwards-folding display. As a first try at folding screens, the model is not at all bad, but there certainly is room for improvement. We have already seen an outwards-folding patent from Samsung that is signaling the fact that the company is open to explore different designs, still, according to LetsGoDigital, there are more Samsung patents for foldable phones in the wild, and one of them looks quite similar to Xiaomi’s upcoming concept.

The patent in question was submitted in 2017 and presents a device that can fold its side display panels outwards, unlike the Galaxy Fold that has an inward-folding display. What differentiates it from the Xiaomi model, however, is the inclusion of a battery for each foldable side and the reinforced mid-section on the back of the screen. This design is clearly meant to fold outward, yet the device appears to be a bit awkward to handle while the display is completely unfolded. Moreover, the patent does not show any buttons, ports or cameras. If these are not just blatant omissions from the patent, the batteries could charge wirelessly, and this might be one of the upcoming models that feature in-display cameras.

Of course, this patent might not actually turn into a commercial product, but it is always interesting to see the initial concepts that pave the way for the models that do get to be released for consumers.