Samsung Wins Patent for a Tri-Fold Smartphone With Specialised Barrier Layer for Improved Durability

The display panel of the purported Samsung device is said to feature an anti-reflective layer on top.

Written by Shaurya Tomer, Edited by David Delima | Updated: 13 November 2024 17:26 IST

Samsung Wins Patent for a Tri-Fold Smartphone With Specialised Barrier Layer for Improved Durability

Photo Credit: Samsung

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 is the company's flagship foldable smartphone

Highlights

Samsung’s tri-fold smartphone may come with a barrier layer
The purported device is said to feature anti-reflective coating on top
The patent suggests it could also have option of fourth and fifth screens

Samsung is speculated to be developing a tri-fold smartphone. This move is said to be in a bid to catch up to Huawei, which launched the world's tri-fold smartphone dubbed Mate XT Ultimate Design in September. Ahead of its anticipated debut in 2025, Samsung has been recently granted a patent for a flexible display device with a foldable design featuring three screens and a specialised barrier layer for improved durability and reduced strain.

Samsung Patent for Tri-Fold Smartphone

A patent granted by the US Patent and Trademark Office (via MSPoweruser) to Samsung Electronics describes a display device with a flexible form factor. It was filed by Samsung in 2021 and was granted on November 5. Unlike rigid devices which have an allocated screen area for displaying images, this purported device is shown to have three areas: a first area which is folded, a second area which can be folded and unfolded, and a third area arranged along a specific direction.

Samsung's purported tri-fold smartphone
Photo Credit: US Patent and Trademark Office/Samsung

As per the patent, the device will feature a specialised barrier layer positioned below the display panel. This layer is said to have at least one opening which might overlap the second display area, and two lower plates placed below the panel overlapping all three areas. Furthermore, the display panel might also feature an anti-reflective layer on top, similar to the one used on the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra.

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Although it suggests that the flexible display device may have the ability to be folded, bent, or deformed into various shapes, the document could be referring to the same purported tri-fold smartphone that Samsung is rumoured to be developing.

The tri-fold smartphone is also speculated to come with support for multiple input methods, in addition to touch gestures. This suggests that the purported device might also feature S-Pen support.

However, it is crucial to note that not all devices whose patents have been granted make it to the final production stage or carry the same elements. Thus, it is currently unclear whether Samsung's purported tri-fold smartphone will feature similar technical aspects as described in the patent filing.

Huawei Mate XT Ultimate Design

KEY SPECS
NEWS

Display (Primary) 6.40-inch

Front Camera 8-megapixel

Rear Camera 50-megapixel + 12-megapixel + 12-megapixel

RAM 16GB

Storage 256GB

Battery Capacity 5600mAh

OS HarmonyOS 4.2

Resolution 1008x2232 pixels

More Huawei mobiles Huawei mobiles price in India

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

REVIEW
KEY SPECS
NEWS

Design
Display
Software
Performance
Battery Life
Camera
Value for Money

Good
Bright display with fewer reflections
Great battery life
Useful AI features
Excellent performance
Top-quality cameras
Longer software support

Bad
Expensive
Relatively slower charging speeds

Read detailed Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra review

Display 6.80-inch

Processor Snapdragon 8 Gen 3

Front Camera 12-megapixel

Rear Camera 200-megapixel + 12-megapixel + 50-megapixel + 10-megapixel

RAM 12GB

Storage 256GB, 512GB, 1TB

Battery Capacity 5000mAh

OS Android 14

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Further reading: Samsung Tri Fold, Samsung Tri Fold Phone, Samsung

Shaurya Tomer

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Shaurya Tomer is a Sub Editor at Gadgets 360 with 2 years of experience across a diverse spectrum of topics. With a particular focus on smartphones, gadgets and the ever-evolving landscape of artificial intelligence (AI), he often likes to explore the industry's intricacies and innovations – whether dissecting the latest smartphone release or exploring the ethical implications of AI advancements. In his free time, he often embarks on impromptu road trips to unwind, recharge, and ...More