No Cover Screen Needed: Samsung Patents 360-Degree Folding Design
A newly discovered patent suggests Samsung is exploring a radical redesign for its future foldable devices. The filing, spotted in the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) database, details a flip-style smartphone equipped with a 360-degree hinge that allows the device to fold both inward and outward.
This dual-folding mechanism marks a significant departure from current foldable designs, which generally limit users to a single folding direction.
A Flip Phone Without a Cover Screen
The most striking feature of the patented design is the absence of a dedicated cover display, a staple on current models like the Galaxy Z Flip series. Instead, the 360-degree hinge allows the main internal screen to wrap around the exterior when folded outward.
This design choice would effectively turn the main display into a dual-sided screen when the device is closed, granting users access to notifications and apps without needing a secondary panel. Conversely, users can still fold the device inward to protect the screen during transport, similar to a traditional clamshell phone.
Asymmetrical Hinge and Design Details
The sketches accompanying the patent reveal that the hinge placement is not perfectly centred. This asymmetry leaves a small portion of the bottom chassis exposed even when the device is fully folded.
Additionally, the diagrams show a camera cutout on the rear of the device. The ability to fold the screen outward could potentially allow users to use the high-quality main cameras for selfies while using the wrapped-around screen as a viewfinder.
The Future of Samsung Foldables
While a patent filing is not a guarantee that a product will reach the market, it offers insight into Samsung’s R&D priorities. The company has a history of showcasing advanced display prototypes at major trade shows, leading industry watchers to speculate that a concept device featuring this multi-directional hinge could appear in the near future.
