Report: Samsung Double-folding Phone Will Come This Year

Samsung is reportedly gearing up for a double-folding phone, according to Nikkei Asia. 

As the third option in Samsung’s foldable lineup, joining the Galaxy Z Fold and Z Flip, the device would fold into three segments with two hinges and have an unfolded screen aspect ratio that matches key options like 16: 9 or 18: 9, making it easier for more games and other apps to run more smoothly with better resolutions. Though, its design is still being finalized. 

Samsung is developing a double-folding phone

The phone would be the third option in the foldable lineup of Samsung, along with the Galaxy Z Fold and Z Flip, both of which are also expected to appear in new versions this year.

Phones with multiple folds have been seen before: Xiaomi’s folding phone prototype folded at two points, but the company has reportedly adopted a more Galaxy Fold-like design for its upcoming foldable. 

Read also: Samsung Messaging for Windows 10 lets users send text messages from PC

Xiaomi's folding phone prototype could fold at two points, but the company’s upcoming foldable phone is reportedly said to have a more Galaxy Fold-like design. 

The Mate X2 foldable of Huawei also uses a similar design to that of Samsung, but it would be a bit ironic if Samsung’s working on a double-folding design.

Report: Samsung Double-folding Phone Will Come This Year

Samsung may be introducing a new type of foldable to make it easier for users to make a transition to the form factor. 

The company said a new Galaxy Note would be skipped this year but they didn’t mention the reason. 

Samsung talked about streamlining its phone services and the global shortage of chips, but this could be a test to see if Note users are ready for foldable screens. Giving customers three foldable options is a way for Samsung to make it as likely as possible that people will find one that is suitable for them.

It's more likely that releasing multifold phones will depend on whether Samsung can figure out a way to deal with the chip shortage that's affecting the entire industry. 

Making folding phones is more difficult than making standard smartphones, and if there are no chips enough for Samsung, it could push the company’s plans back. 

However, it's interesting to know that Samsung is working on a third foldable screen, as that shows that Samsung still sees the form factor as the future.

Read also: Apple’s Phone Sales Surpasses Samsung for the first Time Since 2016