A new Samsung folding phone could deliver a bigger screen and more problems

Date:
Fri, 24 Mar 2023 12:19:44 +0000

Description:
A tri-fold Samsung phone is rumored to be coming this year, but the larger screen could come at a cost to its durability.

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Samsung could be set to expand its folding phones lineup this year with an all-new model that has two hinges instead of one and it could offer a tablet-sized display.

Currently, Samsung offers two options for people wanting to pick up a folding phone. Its clamshell Z Flip models look like regular smartphones when open, but you can fold them in half to store them in a more compact space, while
its Z Fold devices open up like a book, and are a little bulkier but offers users a larger screen than a typical phone.

This rumored tri-fold phone would effectively be an expansion of the existing Z Fold line adding an extra folding panel so that we can carry around an
even larger screen in our pockets.

Back in December 2021, Samsung patents emerged detailing a tri-fold phone,
and at MWC 2023 Samsung Display (the screen-focused arm of Samsung) demoed a tri-folding Flex G display . Now tipster Yogesh Brar has claimed that Samsung could be putting this tech into action in its own devices this year (via Android Authority ).

Leaks like this should always be taken with a pinch of salt, but based on the evidence it does seem likely that Samsung will launch a tri-folding phone sometime in the future, if not in 2023. Is tri-fold a fold too far?

A tri-folding phone would have its fair share of advantages and
disadvantages.

Compared to Samsungs existing Flip and Fold phones, a tri-fold handset should be able to offer a screen size thats on par with some tablets. Whats more, when the device is in its closed form a tri-fold device could still offer users an outer screen that's the size of a typical phone display, depending
on how it closes up; other foldables typically offer very small displays,
with limited functionality, when folded, but a tri-fold could have one of its three panels exposed. (Image credit: Samsung Display)

That said, adding an extra panel would mean the device is bulkier than the two-paneled Z Fold, which might harm its appeal as a compact option. Whats more, folding displays are typically able to withstand less wear and tear compared to typical smartphone screens because of the material theyre made from so while having a screen constantly exposed may make the device more useful, it could also make it more prone to damage.

On that note, while Samsung has put in a lot of effort to reduce the weakness caused by folds in phones, theyre still not perfect. Adding an extra fold would also add an additional source of potential problems which could make
its tri-fold phone more hassle than its worth.

Well have to wait to try out the trifold phone for ourselves if it even exists before we can pass judgment on the device. But if and when such a product does come out (from Samsung or one of its competitors), be sure to check back here for our thoughts.



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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/news/a-new-samsung-folding-phone-could-deliver-a-big ger-screen-and-more-problems


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