Samsung’s Next Galaxy Z Flip Foldable Could Have a Display With a Speaker Built Into It: Report

Samsung and LG are said to be working on a piezoelectric speaker.

Written by Sheldon Pinto, Edited by Siddharth Suvarna | Updated: 27 September 2024 19:41 IST

Samsung’s Next Galaxy Z Flip Foldable Could Have a Display With a Speaker Built Into It: Report

Galaxy Z Flip 6 users can only answer calls using the loudspeaker when closed

Highlights

A piezoelectric speaker is said to be embedded into the cover display
The display could make it possible to answer calls in a folded state
Such a display helps save space in a foldable smartphone

Samsung's upcoming Z Flip clamshell-style foldable may have a different kind of ear speaker to help users answer calls privately even when folded. Currently, users can only answer calls on the Galaxy Z Flip 6 using the phone's speaker when closed, which does not allow a call to be private, requiring the user to flip open the foldable in order to answer the call privately. Samsung and LG are reportedly working on a new solution which will hopefully circumvent this hindrance and help create more space for other smartphone components.

According to Korean news outlet, Sisa Journal, Samsung is working with LG to develop a new kind of display which will replace the usual ear speaker found on all types of smartphones. However, the development is mainly aimed at foldable devices, especially clamshell-style models which currently need to be opened up fully in order to answer calls privately.

The new display which is currently in development will reportedly use piezoelectric technology to vibrate the screen in order to produce sound. The tech should ideally work well enough to replace the ear speaker which is present behind the hole-punch displays on all smartphones today.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 Review: Clamshell Phone Goes Bold With AI Flex

This piezoelectric speaker, according to the report, will be embedded into the display in layers and thus will not require any additional equipment. As the two components are fused together, it is said to reduce the need for a dedicated ear speaker that can take up space behind the display at the top of the smartphone. This would make room for other components which is always good to have given the space restrictions inside most clamshell foldables.

Researchers explain that integrating this speaker technology into the cover display enables two distinct audio sources, allowing users to place their ear directly on the cover display and answer calls privately for the first time.

The use of piezoelectric technology isn't new. Xiaomi's Mi Mix was the first brand to introduce the technology in a production smartphone back in 2016. The device (which only went on sale in China) used a piezoelectric acoustic ceramic earpiece speaker, as well as the ultrasonic proximity sensor rather than the traditional front-facing infrared sensor in its quest to go bezel-less (at least around the top of the smartphone).

The selfie camera was oddly placed into a thick bezel at the bottom to provide a distraction-free viewing experience up top. The phone also had a ceramic rear panel. The phone finally made it to India in the form of the Mi Mix 2, which sadly skipped on the new speaker technology and went with a traditional one.

Xiaomi Mi MIX

KEY SPECS
NEWS

Display 6.40-inch

Processor Qualcomm Snapdragon 821

Front Camera 5-megapixel

Rear Camera 16-megapixel

RAM 4GB

Storage 128GB

Battery Capacity 4400mAh

OS Android 6.0

Resolution 1080x2040 pixels

More Xiaomi mobiles Xiaomi mobiles price in India

Xiaomi Mi MIX 2

REVIEW
KEY SPECS
NEWS
Variants

Design
Display
Software
Performance
Battery Life
Camera
Value for Money

Good
Head-turning design
Good display and performance
Great battery life

Bad
Disappointing cameras
Awkward placement of selfie camera

Read detailed Xiaomi Mi MIX 2 review

Display 5.99-inch

Processor Qualcomm Snapdragon 835

Front Camera 5-megapixel

Rear Camera 12-megapixel

RAM 6GB

Storage 128GB

Battery Capacity 3400mAh

OS Android

Resolution 1080x2160 pixels

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Choose a variant

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6

REVIEW
KEY SPECS
NEWS

Design
Display
Software
Performance
Battery Life
Camera
Value for Money

Good
Base 12GB RAM
Improved primary camera
Useful AI features
7 years of software support

Bad
Expensive
Cover screen still has limited controls
Average battery life
Wired charging is still locked at 25W

Read detailed Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 review

Display (Primary) 6.70-inch

Processor Snapdragon 8 Gen 3

Front Camera 10-megapixel

Rear Camera 50-megapixel + 12-megapixel

RAM 12GB

Storage 256GB, 512GB

Battery Capacity 4000mAh

OS Android 14

Resolution 1080x2640 pixels

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Further reading: Samsung, LG, Piezoelectric Speaker, Foldables, Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7

Sheldon Pinto

Email Sheldon Pinto

Sheldon Pinto is based in Mumbai, and has several years of experience in reviewing smartphones and gadgets. As a Senior Reviewer at Gadgets 360, you will always find him deeply immersed in his reviews, switching from one phone to another. When the battery dies out, Sheldon is always browsing the web for a good sci-fi movie or reading up on cars and bikes. He also loves creating lists of interesting places to eat and travel. Sheldon is available on Twitter at @shellshocd, and you can mail him at ...More