Flexible, but not foldable? Samsung allegedly patents an overlapping display for smartphones

Samsung has reportedly filed a patent in which a display can be completely wrapped around a phone. The images associated with this document, allegedly discovered by LetsGoDigital, suggest in part that this is a somewhat logical extension of the Edge technology first seen in the Galaxy S6 line, long ago. This new solution is portrayed as much more elaborate, however.

The patent has reportedly been filed with the World Intellectual Property Office (WIPO) since 2016, although it may have only appeared in this body's public database in April 2019. Its schematics show a phone in which at least a part of the traditional 'rear panel' is covered with a display that has travelled there from the 'front'.

The additional 'window' created thusly could be used as a viewfinder when taking portrait shots or selfies. It could also notify the user of calls or texts while the display is facing 'downwards', scroll text from one side of the phone to the other, and so on.

As Samsung is one of the most prominent OEMs in terms of foldable tech, it is reasonable to assume that this patent is real, or plausible at least. However, at the advent of the 'Galaxy Fold era', it is also possible that this idea has been left in the dust in favor of truly flexible alternatives by now. In addition, the Vivo Nex Dual Display could address all its use-cases through the medium of 2 separate screens in any case.