Samsung's 360-Degree Rotating Foldable Screen Patent Approved: The Future of Foldable Phones is Here?

Samsung's 360-Degree Rotating Foldable Screen Patent Approved: The Future of Foldable Phones is Here?According to the patent documents, the core innovation of this new Samsung device lies in its revolutionary "dual-axis hinge system." Unlike previous foldable phones limited to inward or outward folding, this new model allows for 360-degree rotation

Samsung's 360-Degree Rotating Foldable Screen Patent Approved: The Future of Foldable Phones is Here?

Samsung recently received approval for a groundbreaking new foldable phone patent in the US, sparking significant industry interest. The patent's most striking feature is its 360-degree rotatable hinge and dual-directional folding design, completely revolutionizing the traditional foldable phone form factor and signaling a new phase in foldable phone development. As a long-time user of Samsung foldable phones, I've witnessed their remarkable evolution from "toys" to productive tools. This stunning patent will undoubtedly accelerate this progress further.

According to the patent documents, the core innovation of this new Samsung device lies in its revolutionary "dual-axis hinge system." Unlike previous foldable phones limited to inward or outward folding, this new model allows for 360-degree rotation. This means users can fully unfold the phone into a 7.2-inch large-screen tablet for immersive multimedia experiences or efficient work; or they can unfold it halfway, like a book, for video calls or multitasking. This flexible form significantly enhances the practicality and adaptability of the foldable phone, overcoming the limitations of traditional designs in both form and function.

To achieve this flexible rotation and folding, Samsung has implemented bold innovations in materials and structural design. The patent reveals the use of ultra-thin flexible glass, as thin as cling film, as the screen material. A layer of elastic material and adhesive is added beneath, creating a "sandwich" structure that enhances screen resilience and durability. The phone also incorporates a foldable metal frame and custom support plates inside, functioning like human joints to ensure both flexible rotation and structural stability. These ingenious designs effectively address the long-standing issues of creases and breakage in foldable phones, significantly improving durability and lifespan, ensuring the screen remains pristine even after countless folds.

Samsung's exploration of foldable phone designs has been ongoing. Back in 2023, Samsung showcased the "Flex In&Out" concept phone, but due to immature technology, it failed to reach mass production. This newly approved patent represents a significant evolution and technological breakthrough of the "Flex In&Out" concept, marking substantial progress in Samsung's foldable technology.

Furthermore, Samsung displayed a series of impressive "black technology" models at MWC. The highly anticipated tri-fold FlexG phone, for example, boasts two hinges, resembling a thick dictionary when folded and transforming into a 12.4-inch tablet when unfolded. While its practicality still needs improvement, it has the potential to become a "mobile workstation" for business professionals, offering new possibilities for mobile office work. Rumors suggest this tri-fold phone might debut at this year's Fold7 launch event, with an estimated price of 20,000 RMB.

Another attention-grabbing concept is the Asymmetric Flip. Inspired by the Z Flip series, it features hinges at both the top and bottom. When folded, a portion of the screen remains visible, potentially displaying time or notifications. However, I believe this design is somewhat gimmicky and less practical than the existing Z Flip series.

Beyond these concept phones, Samsung's foldable phone lineup for the second half of the year is equally anticipated. Samsung reportedly plans to release three foldable phones this summer: First, the Galaxy Z Flip7 FE (Fan Edition), targeting the entry-level market, will feature a 3.4-inch outer screen and a 6.7-inch inner screen, powered by the Exynos 2400e chip, with an expected starting price of around 7,000 RMB, making foldable phones accessible to a wider range of budgets. Second is the Galaxy Z Flip7, a regular iterative upgrade of the small foldable series, featuring an upgraded near 4-inch full-screen outer display, a 6.8-inch inner screen, an optimized main camera sensor, and likely the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, maintaining its slim and lightweight design at around 6.9mm thick. Finally, the large foldable flagship Galaxy Z Fold7 will boast a 7.6-inch main screen, a more powerful cooling system and the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor; its design will mirror the Galaxy Z Fold6 FE, released only in South Korea last year, with an expected weight reduction and a price similar to the Fold6, starting at approximately 13,000 RMB.

In conclusion, Samsung's 360-degree rotating hinge patent showcases the future direction of foldable phones: more flexible forms, enhanced durability, and broader application scenarios. While a gap remains between concept and mass production, I believe that through the combined efforts of Samsung and its industry chain, foldable phones will eventually become mainstream, transforming how we interact with mobile devices. Are you looking forward to such a foldable phone? Share your thoughts in the comments section.