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According to rumors so far, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3, likely to debut at the end of next year, will be an evolution of the dual-screen Galaxy Z Fold 2. -foldable. ”
That’s because LetsGoDigital unearthed a patent hinting at the multi-screen future of the Galaxy Z Fold 2 and Galaxy Z Flip. The patent contains a trio of designs that all feature three-piece foldable screens, which is a big step up from current foldable devices.
Bearing the awkward name “Electronic device control screen based on the folding event and control method thereof,” Samsung’s patent was filed earlier this year and granted on November 19. Two of the three models in the patent look a lot like the Z We are familiar with the Fold and Z Flip phones, with the third showing a completely new form factor.
A real “Galaxy Z-Fold” design
The unique model uses a “Z” shaped design; a central display with two outer panels that fold in opposite directions. This means you can have three different phone sizes depending on how you unfold it, which feels a lot more versatile than how current foldables work.
There are four cameras pictured on the back, which the patent details as main, ultra-wide, telephoto, and depth-sensor cameras. There aren’t any dedicated selfie cameras, but the phone’s form factor means you can use the main array of sensors pointing at or away from you and still be able to see what you’re shooting.
Samsung Display recently posted a blog on the “multi-foldable” display, the name it gives to displays with more than one hinge. The illustration of a phone using this technology included in the article looks a lot like this part of the patent, possibly indicating that Samsung is seriously considering using that patent as the basis for a production phone.
Galaxy Z Fold Multi-Display
The Z Fold-style model looks somewhat like a pair of window shutters, with two small cover screens folding over a larger center. It’s a very wide design, which makes us wonder how easily a real version of this phone could fit into a pocket.
The same array of four cameras that the first design uses are mounted on one of these covers and can again be used as front or rear cameras. The other cover features a narrow screen that looks like an elongated version of the notification screen on the Galaxy Z Flip, rather than the full display on the front of the Z Fold 2.
A unique feature mentioned for this design is an angle sensor built into the hinges. This would allow the phone to change its display based on how it was opened, which feels like a more complex version of the Z Flip’s Flex Mode feature.
Multi-fold Galaxy Z Flip
Finally, we have the third Z Flip style design. In essence, this takes the second design and rotates it 90 degrees, so that the phone works in an upright position. Cameras of this design are mounted on the back of the top folding section, allowing you to either take pictures normally with it unfolded, or fold it inward to take selfies.
There is a big difference, however, in that the bottom part can bend in either direction, allowing it to be used as a stand to hold the phone upright. It’s an interesting idea even if it means that you lose part of the screen by folding it back. But this could be compensated by using this section for playback or camera controls while watching a movie or taking pictures for example, as shown in the illustrations.
Samsung doesn’t need to innovate too much on its current pair of foldable phones because it’s comfortably the best foldable maker around. Even if it wanted to rush a tri-panel Galaxy Z Fold or Galaxy Z Flip device as these patents show, there is little need given the lack of competition.
Patents can take years to become products that you can actually buy. Many don’t even go that far. However, the benefits of these “multi-folds” sound compelling, so maybe it won’t be too long before we see a commercial version of these concepts.
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