While it is true that Royole was the first brand to announce a commercial foldable mobile phone, it was Samsung that seriously put this format on the table and invested heavily in such devices along with Huawei and Motorola. The company has released two versions to date: Flip and Fold. One folds vertically and the other horizontally, but the Korean company has worked on more options, prototypes of which we could see at MWC 2024.

They are proof that this technology can go much further.

Two-fold folding screen | Image: Xataka

Floor? No. Currently, all folding products fold in one direction only. If we try to fold a Turn or Fold in the opposite direction we will definitely break it. Samsung showed us a number of prototypes that show it’s possible to have screens that fold in various directions.

In the image above, we see a two-layer horizontal screen, one at the front and the other at the back. It has a size of 12.4 inches and FullHD+ resolution. However, due to its shape, it does not seem like it can fold in both directions. This doesn’t mean it’s impossible.

Folding curtain that can be folded in both directions | Image: Xataka

Back and forth. In fact, not only is it possible, but Samsung already has a working prototype at its booth. It appears to be a flip-type display, but instead of only facing one way, it can fold in both directions. In this case, it is a 6.7-inch FullHD+ display.

Folding curtain that can be folded in both directions | Image: Xataka

We could see the same form factor horizontally in the Fold model. This time we have a 7.8 inch screen. Everything indicates that the key is not in the display, but in the hinge itself. That’s the point of prototypes: to try new things.

Samsung prototype with rollable screen | Image: Xataka

Samsung prototype with rollable screen | Image: Xataka

Inside and outside. Samsung also revealed the prototype of the expandable display called Slideable Flex. When folded, the screen is completely or almost completely square, but can be opened sideways to gain a few centimeters. In fact, it goes from 10.5 inches to 12.4 inches, a more panoramic format that can be good for consuming certain types of content.

Samsung prototype with folded screen edge | Image: Xataka

make use of the song. Another prototype that Samsung showed is a folding screen on the upper edge of the terminal, which folds down, forgive the excess. This way you can view contextual information such as time or date or use them for specific actions. For example, let’s consider a playback control that we can use from the side without having to turn on the phone.

Bracelet format Samsung prototype | Image: Xataka

And yes bracelet. One of the most curious concepts we have seen recently is the Motorola bracelet phone, a device that can be worn on the wrist. It’s just a concept right now, but Samsung also wanted to show off its technology and showed off a similar model with some impact resistance thanks to its unique hinge.

Bracelet format Samsung prototype | Image: Xataka

Prototypes and concepts for now. What Samsung showed at MWC are concepts and prototypes that are not intended for the end market. These are proof of what can be achieved with this technology and its possible practical applications. We’ll have to wait to see these in action, but at least we now know that yes, it’s possible to imagine folding these into other formats.

Pictures | Xataka

in Xataka | The future of smartphones is foldable ones. They only have two problems to overcome