Samsung introduces first foldable Galaxy smartphone

So far, we have yet to see a real Samsung foldable phone hit the market. However, there are lots of indications that Samsung not only plans to launch such a smartphone but that it could finally happen by the end of this year, or in early 2019.

In 2008, the company first showed an OLED screen that could be bent for a smartphone. At CES in 2011, Samsung actually showed off a prototype for a smartphone with a flexible AMOLED display.

Recently, a patent filing with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) was leaked, showing a Samsung phone concept with a flexible 7.3-inch OLED display. This design features a device that folds inside. Some reports have referred to this product as the “Galaxy X”.

Recent comments by Samsung CEO DJ Koh suggest the phone is going to be the first in a series of foldable handsets, so it’s no exaggeration to say this is going to mark a big change in the market, and one that should be well worth waiting for.

At the recent Galaxy Note 9 launch, DJ Koh spoke out about the new folding handset. Interestingly he said Samsung is: “focusing on developing innovations that will be genuinely accepted and liked by consumers” and that it “didn’t want to lose the world’s-first title”.

This suggests Samsung aims to be first to release the foldable phone, something which Huawei has also publicly claimed it will do.

Edited by Neo Sesinye
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