Samsung is the leading player in the foldable smartphone category. The latest foldable from the company is Galaxy Z Fold2. This device is also set to launch as a China-exclusive limited edition Galaxy W21. Ahead of it, a utility patent regarding LED indicators in foldables filed by the South Korean tech giant has been published.
Samsung filed a utility patent for a hideaway hinge with LED indicators with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in March using Galaxy Z Fold2 as a reference. However, this patent was only approved and published on October 1.
It was unearthed by none other than LetsGoDigital. The publication also created 3D renders showcasing the patent in action.
According to the documents, if this patent is ever utilized in a foldable smartphone, that device will come with a six LED module hidden inside its hinge. These red, blue, green and white lights will be covered by a translucent layer to diffuse their rays.
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As per the patent, the above-mentioned four different-colored lights can be used to form more combinations. Talking about their use case, like most LED strip on smartphones, they are merely meant for notifications and aesthetics.
The Galaxy Z series of foldable phones are premium consumer products. These lights make them look fancy, which is not ideal for everyone. Hence, we don’t think Samsung to introduce this as a feature in its next foldable.
That doesn’t mean the company may never use it. As foldable devices become more durable and affordable in the future, the South Korean tech giant could implement it in a separate foldable gaming smartphone series.
Right now, all we can say is Samsung has patented this utility purely to secure this idea.
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