Samsung just teased the future of foldable phones and tablets — check out these designs

Samsung just teased the futurity of foldable phones and tablets — cheque out these designs

Samsung Flex G concept

(Image credit: Samsung)

Samsung has been an early on trailblazer in the brave new world of foldable phones, and if it wasn't already obvious, the company has no intention of resting on its award.

At CES 2022, the company is showing off no fewer than iv extendable phone and tablet concepts, showing that the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Z Flip 3 are early stops on an expansive production roadmap for the best foldable phones.

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First up is an improvement on the formula established past the Galaxy Z Fold series. What if the screen could fold over twice, assuasive for an fifty-fifty larger tablet form factor when unfolded? The result is two concepts: the Flex S and Flex G, captured in the video below.

Samsung Flex South and Flex M

The Flex South comes in 2 forms, both which fold similar an Southward. The difference between the two versions is one has a transparent area so that function of the internal screen is visible even when the device is fully folded.

The Flex G also divides the panel into iii, but this fourth dimension folds in a 'M' shape so that the rear of the screen is on the exterior when the device is closed. That manifestly means you tin't interact with it, only the flipside of this is that the console is protected when y'all put information technology in your pocket or bag.

Samsung Flex Note

Foldable displays aren't only capable of turning smartphones into tablets, and Samsung has something bigger in mind with the Flex Annotation.

Hither, a large 17-inch panel can be folded in half for portability, or double up as a xiii-inch laptop with virtual controls on the bottom half. It's certainly a neat way of packing a big actress screen without worrying near scratching it, though its utility every bit a laptop is a chip more than questionable for me, given the feel of touchscreen keyboards for longform writing.

Samsung Flex Slidable

Finally, Samsung demonstrated the Flex Slidable, a telephone that's non a 1000000 miles away from another couple of concepts: the LG Rollable and Oppo X 2021. At the printing of a button, the screen extends by nearly a 3rd equally demoed beneath.

Of all the concepts on display, it has to be said that this looks the most in need of a killer use case. The demonstration here shows the extra area used for app selection and, bluntly, I'one thousand not sure that'south whatever more convenient than just swiping in from the right side to come across Samsung's Border panel — especially when adding a moving part to practise and so could make such a device considerably less reliable in the long run.

Nevertheless, these are just concepts, and it'south certainly exciting to come across the kind of approaches Samsung is considering for the adjacent generation of expandable screens. Nosotros're non expecting anything that dramatic this year, with the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 and Milky way Z Flip iv looking set to be development rather than revolution.

Just that doesn't mean Samsung couldn't release an entirely new foldable that could make our best phones list. But exercise bear in mind it'southward non the only role player in the foldables loonshit as the Honor Magic V foldable telephone has been unveiled — and it beats Galaxy Z Fold three in five big means.

Freelance contributor Alan has been writing nigh tech for over a decade, covering phones, drones and everything in between. Previously Deputy Editor of tech site Alphr, his words are found all over the web and in the occasional mag too. When not weighing up the pros and cons of the latest smartwatch, yous'll probably discover him tackling his ever-growing games excess. Or, more likely, playing Spelunky for the millionth fourth dimension.