(Pocket-lint) – Samsung is reportedly developing a “double-fold” phone. What is that? A phone that folds into three segments and has two hinges.
It could be released by “the end of this year,” according to Nikkei Asia (via 9to5Google), which claimed that its screen could have an aspect ratio of 16: 9 or 18: 9, which would allow developers to more easily create applications for the device. If the phone does appear, it would be Samsung’s third device in its foldable lineup, which currently includes the Galaxy Z Fold and Galaxy Z Flip.
These two devices are also expected to be updated in 2021.
According to the report, details of the new dual-folding phone are not yet set in stone. But Samsung has reportedly decided to invest in foldables, especially in the future. The company has struggled to differentiate between the Galaxy S and Galaxy Note series in the past, and it believes that foldable phones are not only the answer it was looking for, but that they are a complete replacement for the Note series.
“The suspension of the Note series was pretty much decided on last year. The company wants to bet more on foldable phones that have much higher prices with distinctive designs,” an anonymous source told Nikkei Asia, who also noted a global chip supply crisis to be “problematic” for Samsung this year. We suspect it might even affect if Samsung announces its foldable.
If it can’t figure out the chip shortages, the phone might be delayed.
Written by Maggie Tillman.