A new patent by Samsung shows the design of a quad-folding smartphone.
While the niche foldable smartphone market is growing slowly, despite many new offerings, this hasn’t deterred smartphone vendors from experimenting with foldable screens.
Last year, Huawei released the world’s first trifold smartphone, and some of its competitors, including Samsung, are also working to launch their versions.
According to a patent filed with the World Intellectual Property Organisation last week, Samsung may also be experimenting with the world’s first quad-folding smartphone.
The patent reveals a sketch of a device featuring three hinges dividing four panels, which can bend both inwardly and outwardly.
The quad-folding smartphone could be used in four different configurations, while the fully unfolded phone would likely serve the same purpose as the tri-fold smartphone – to enhance multitasking and be used for immersive video content.
It’s unclear whether the company will ever release the quad-folding phone. One barrier to launching the device would be its high price.
Huawei, for example, typically sells smartphones with a smaller price tag than Samsung. Its trifold Mate XT, with a base configuration of $3600, is the most expensive foldable on the market.
Despite many foldable offerings, the nascent market has yet to capture mass consumer attention. Last year, the foldable smartphone market grew 2.9% year over year, while some companies experienced double-digit growth, according to Counterpoint.
Counterpoint expects the foldable smartphone market to see its first annual decline this year.
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