Since the launch of the Galaxy Fold back in 2019, Samsung has become one of the leading tech firms when it comes to foldable smartphones.
Now, a new patent suggests that Samsung is looking beyond foldables and could soon launch a smartphone with a transparent, rollable screen.
The patent describes two different designs which both feature a section of the phone screen that extends from the main display and is see-through.
A new patent suggests that Samsung could be looking beyond foldables, and could soon launch a smartphone with a transparent, rollable screen
Samsung suggests that the design could prove useful for augmented reality applications
The patent was first spotted by SamMobile, having been published by the World Intellectual Property Organisation last week.
‘The electronic device may display a screen on the display,’ it explains.
‘The display may display various screens such as a home screen, an application execution screen, a camera preview screen, or an augmented reality (AR) screen.’
The patent goes on to describe two possible device designs, which both feature transparent rollable displays.
In the first design, the screen rolls out from the side of the device, while in the second design, it rolls out vertically.
Samsung suggests that the design could prove useful for augmented reality applications.
For example, the rolled-out section could display AR objects while everything in the real world remains visible as well.
Further details remain scarce, and Samsung is yet to comment on the patent.
In the first design, the screen rolls out from the side of the device (pictured), while in the second design, it rolls out vertically
However, it gives a good idea of the range of futuristic products that the tech giant is considering in the future.
This isn’t the first time that a device with a rollable screen has been developed.
In 2020, LG launched the Signature OLED R TV, which descends into an aluminium base when not in use and takes up a ‘minimal amount of real estate’.
‘The seamless marriage of technological and design innovation demonstrated in LG Signature OLED R is an unprecedented feat that genuinely deserves to be called a work of art,’ said Park Hyoung-sei, president of LG Home Entertainment Company.
‘This is a true luxury product that reimagines what television can be.’
Samsung has launched several foldable smartphones since 2019, including the Galaxy Flip 3, which was unveiled last year
