Samsung's first tri-fold smartphone could overcome a major weakness of the Huawei Mate XT
Huawei has well and truly beat Samsung to delivering the first 'tri-fold' smartphone. For reference, the Mate XT is exclusive to China for the time being. However, there have been suggestions that the company introduce the device internationally early next year.
Seemingly, Samsung has been working on its own attempt for some time, though. On the one hand, the company recently received approval from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) for a smartphone design that looks similar to Huawei's first tri-fold release.
On the other hand, there have been multiple reports from South Korea that Samsung is seeking to perfect the tri-fold design before mass-producing a device that it intends to bring to market. Now, ETNews suggests that Samsung may launch its inaugural tri-fold in 2025, albeit with a completely different design to what has been discussed until now.
Incidentally, Samsung Display revealed a prototype almost three years ago that closely resembled the Mate XT. By contrast, ETNews' new report claims that Samsung's production tri-fold folds inward twice with two hinges, thereby omitting the wraparound section of the Flex S and Mate XT.
In other words, it seems that Samsung may have settled for the form factor showcased by the Flex G, another prototype that popped up at trade shows in 2022. Theoretically, this would make Samsung's effort more durable, considering that it will have none of its display showing when in its folded state.
Moreover, utilising this Flex G style design may be possible using existing Ultra Thin Glass (UTG) standards. Reportedly, Samsung's Flex G-esque design will span 9~10 inches, which would be roughly 2 inches wider diagonally than the current Galaxy Z Fold6 (curr. $1,149.99 - renewed on Amazon).
Source(s)
ETNews via @Jukanlosreve, The Korea Herald - Image credits
