Patent shows more details of Samsung's potential tri-fold phone

News about a possible Samsung’s tri-fold smartphone continues to emerge. This suggests that the leak about its arrival in 2025 is on the right track. Samsung Electronics’ latest financial results fell short of expectations, prompting them to reorganize their strategy. A new patent provides additional details about the potential tri-fold smartphone from Samsung.

Samsung Display reported that sales of foldable screens did not meet the company’s projections for 2024. Part of the blame can be attributed to the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Galaxy Z Flip 6 not selling as much as anticipated. Strong competition from rival suppliers, particularly Chinese ones, also contributed to the situation. As part of its turnaround strategy, the company will rely more on innovation. This might include the launch of a tri-fold smartphone.

How Samsung could make its tri-fold smartphone durable and reliable, according to patent

The patent describes the systems that Samsung could implement in a tri-fold smartphone to ensure the overall integrity of the screen and the device. After all, foldable devices are already much more prone to damage than traditional ones for logical reasons. So, a model with three folds requires even more security measures.

According to the patent, Samsung implements a system of strategically placed openings. The internal design aims to minimize the pressure on the screen during folding and unfolding. It also makes it easier to extend the device’s screen, avoiding using excessive force that could lead to potential damage.

The body of the device integrates adhesive layers and support plates made of stainless steel or glass so that the screen remains sturdy, whether folded or unfolded. In addition, Samsung included in the patent an anti-reflective system based on a layer of synthetic resin. For extra durability, there is a “shield” under the screen that prevents the access of substances. There is even a cushioning system in case of potential bumps or falls.

Samsung will no longer be the first to launch a tri-fold product

It’s noteworthy that Samsung filed the patent with the USPTO in July 2021. However, it only got approval in November 2024. It’s possible that the company has developed more advanced technologies to make a tri-fold smartphone even more reliable and durable. In fact, one of the sketches shows that the technologies described can also be implemented in traditional foldable phones. So, perhaps the Galaxy Z Flip and Fold devices already integrate some (or all) of them.

Anyway, Samsung has already lost the battle to be the first big brand to launch a device with such a form factor. Huawei took the crown by introducing the Huawei Mate XT Ultimate Design.