Samsung showcased 'Flex S' and 'Flex G' foldable screens at CES 2022
Photo Credit: YouTube/ Abhijeet Mishra
Samsung is reportedly working on the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and the Galaxy Z Flip 7, which are expected to arrive in mid-July as the company's next generation of foldable phones. A new report from a South Korean publication suggests that Samsung is also developing a new 'Galaxy G Fold' smartphone that will arrive in a novel form factor that was previously teased by the company. This handset could compete with tri-fold smartphones like the Huawei Mate XT Ultimate Edition.
Citing industry sources, ETNews reports (in Korean) that Samsung is working on a new "double-folding" foldable phone. Dubbed the 'Samsung Galaxy G Fold', this handset is said to be in development alongside the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Galaxy Z Flip 7. The company will reportedly acquire parts for the new handset in April, and it could be launched with the company's upcoming book-style and clamshell-style foldable phones.
Samsung won't be the first company to introduce a double-folding handset with an inner display that comprises three panels — the Huawei Mate XT Ultimate Edition was launched last year as the first commercially available tri-fold smartphone. However, Samsung might not use the same S-style folding design for the rumoured handset.
Instead of designing a foldable display that bends in the shape of an S, like Huawei's smartphone, Samsung could adopt a G-style foldable design, according to the report. If this claim is accurate, then all the three panels comprising the 9.96-inch inner screen would be hidden when the device is folded.
As a result, the phone would require a separate outward facing screen, for the cover display. This is said to be the same outer screen that Samsung plans to use for the Galaxy Z Fold 7, measuring 6.49 inches. Samsung has already shown off tri-fold displays, but has yet to launch a commercial version based on these prototypes.
While the report suggests that Samsung is finally gearing up to launch a competitor to the Mate XT Ultimate Edition from Huawei, readers might want to temper their expectations. The company previously launched the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold SE in South Korea and China, and the upcoming Galaxy G Fold might also be available in limited regions. The report states that Samsung will only produce around 2 lakh units to gauge how consumers respond to the product before considering a wider release.
For the latest tech news and reviews, follow Gadgets 360 on X, Facebook, WhatsApp, Threads and Google News. For the latest videos on gadgets and tech, subscribe to our YouTube channel. If you want to know everything about top influencers, follow our in-house Who'sThat360 on Instagram and YouTube.