Future generation of Samsung foldable smartphones might take durability to a whole new level. Owing to the flexible nature of foldable phones, the large main screen isn’t as scratch or crack resistant as a typical smartphone display. But Samsung is apparently working on a new display technology, which could make these screens automatically repair themselves. So here’s what you need to know.

Samsung’s Future Foldables Might Fix Their Own Scratches

A patent from the South Korean tech giant was recently published, which revealed a new “Self-Repair” system. This will reportedly be used for cameras, fingerprint sensors, and even foldable devices. For context, Samsung initially used an under-display selfie camera on the primary foldable screen and only recently moved to a punch hole cutout. Unlike traditional flat smartphone screens, it is challenging to install a fingerprint scanner and camera on flexible screens.

Any hole for sensors can compromise the structural integrity of these devices, causing microscopic cracks and damage over time from moisture. So you still get a side mounted fingerprint scanner on the Galaxy Z series of foldables. However, Samsung might deal with this with its newly patented technology. The new display tech houses microscopic wires and sensors to form a “sensing loop” around the display cutouts, which could help detect any small cracks or issues with this area.

This system can then activate a reinforcement process by triggering “dummy metal patterns” that automatically seal and bolster the affected section. The last part of the process involves specialized sealants that can help protect the OLED layers from oxygen or moisture. In other words, the future foldables from Samsung may feature a display that can detect scratches on the screen, reinforce them, and even seal the screen to prevent more damage.

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While Samsung is a leading smartphone brand across the globe, it is the Chinese companies that are known for pushing innovation. However, Samsung might be working on a cool new smartphone with a possible modular design for its camera system.

Samsung patents smartphone with a replaceable lens

A patent from the South Korean tech giant has revealed a possible Galaxy device that might feature a modular design. The patent was filed with the WIPO and carries the publication number WO/2025/084594 (Via 91Mobiles). Looking at the document, we can see design sketches that showcase a device with what appears to be a replaceable lens system. It lists a device that holds all the components, a lens assembly unit, an image sensor, and a motor/actuator that allows for movement of the lens assembly or image sensor.

This could allow users to adjust focus or zoom, and possibly include stabilization or alignment as well. The replaceable lens is apparently a built in solution, rather than offering an accessory that snaps onto a smartphone like the Vivo X200 Ultra. Users might be able to interchange lenses via magnets. Considering how the new lens system is built, it might allow for improved camera controls while also bringing access to additional replaceable accessories.

Unfortunately, the details are still at large, and we can only see the replaceable lens and image sensor. So it is unclear whether other accessories are also part of this system. Samsung could simply be covering all bases and may never build such a gadget.

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Samsung might be working on a nifty feature for its Galaxy smartphones. A new patent sighting has revealed that the company might be using artificial intelligence to bring a new weather changing wallpaper feature. So here’s everything you need to know.

Samsung Galaxy AI Wallpaper With Weather Changing Effect

The patent was spotted by 91Mobiles at the United States Patent Application Publication. Looking at the patent filing, Samsung has a unique take on wallpapers that bring both form and function. The South Korean tech giant’s new AI powered wallpaper can apparently change the background design that changes based on the time and weather of the day. There are even sketches of this wallpaper that showcase the idea in practice.

We can see the wallpaper change automatically based on the time of the day like dawn, morning, afternoon, evening, and night. Thanks to weather detection, this feature may change the background from sunny, foggy, cloudy, rainy, or snowy, based on the current weather in the users’ area. This function might likely include integration with a weather tracking platform. Notably, the patent images also revealed that the feature will push out an alert that suggests users to carry an umbrella if it detects rain.

Finally arriving at the AI bit, Samsung would employ Generative AI to read the image/wallpaper background to identify the area, its time, and the weather. It can then generate modified images to reflect the changes in time and weather on top of the original background. This is a pretty unique concept that might add an intuitive layer to wallpapers. Although, it is still in the patent phase so it’s still unclear if the company is actually working on such a feature.

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Samsung might be working on an innovative new design for smartphones. A fresh patent has revealed a square shaped device that features an extending display panel. So here’s everything we know about this model.

Samsung Phone with Extendable Display

The South Korean tech giant is the leader in the foldable smartphone segment, with its latest offerings being the Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Galaxy Z Flip 5. But it appears that a new breed of smartphones could be in the works, which focus on an extending screen rather than a flexible one. A Samsung patent was spotted that showcases a handset with a square shape and extendable screen. Such an innovative design may even solve some of the issues faced by foldable phones.

An extendable phone would be more like a conventional screen, making it more durable or practical for the users. For those unaware, a regular smartphone is still more durable than a foldable one since moving parts are also vulnerabilities to its integrity. However, the latest Samsung patent might challenge this with a different kind of flexible display. Unlike the typical foldable phone with a tall flexible panel, the extending panel is just a small section of the device that can be pulled out for additional screen real estate.

The new design would focus on parallel alignment along with unique connections and support structures to give more flexibility and durability to the display. It is worth noting that this is still just a patent and we have no way of knowing whether Samsung is actually working on such a device. But it does paint a neat picture of what future smartphones with flexible screens could look like.

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(Via)

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Samsung Electronics plans to share its royalty-free technology patents with smaller companies for free in South Korea. The move was aimed at stimulating shared growth, according to South Korea’s Industry Ministry. Smaller firms will use Samsung’s royalty-free 123 patent technologies which are spread across various sectors.

The 123 patents relate to semiconductors, displays, mobile devices, and allied aspects. The move will allow smaller firms to leverage these technologies in the evolution of their products. According to a report by the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy, up to 86 smaller firms in South Korea will benefit from the Samsung initiative. It is part of a government-driven tech-sharing program in place since 2013.

Over 33 South Korean conglomerates and state-run companies have shared 2,979 patents with 1,416 smaller companies. Since Samsung joined the program in 2015, it has shared 1,082 patents with 588 smaller companies.

Samsung had recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with South Korea’s Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and the Korea Institute for Advancement of Technology. The MOU seeks to promote a win-win scenario for the industry ecosystem through technology sharing.

Samsung says the program will give smaller companies the opportunity of upgrading their technology competitiveness. The quantum of support offered by Samsung to the smaller companies seeking the 123 Samsung patent technologies was however not specified.

The synergy and cooperation between tech powerhouses like Samsung and local companies offer a positive spin on the overall outlook of the industry. The policy thrust driven by the Korean Industry Ministry will help some of these local startups scale up their strategy and transit into the global arena.

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Samsung is apparently working on a new dual display laptop. A new patent from the company was recently spotted, which reveals a design that is quite similar to an existing notebook model from ASUS. So let’s have a look.

The patent was spotted by 91Mobiles and it reveals that the South Korean tech giant could be working on a dual display laptop. The company had filed for a patent, which appears to have a number of similarities with the ASUS ZenBook Fold model. For those unaware, the ZenBook Fold model from the Taiwanese PC maker is a laptop that features a 17.3 inch display that can be folded. This lets it be used as one single monitor panel, or as a laptop or even a tablet, depending on whether or not you fold it or use it with a wireless keyboard.

In other words, we can expect Samsung to also offer a similar functionality with this patented device. Although there is one major difference between the ZenBook Fold and the new patented device. The brand appears to offer a physical keyboard on one half of the screen. This keyboard takes up a smaller space on a corner of one of the display halves. This means that while it does have a full folding screen, its not a complete display surface. So the half that houses the keyboard could act as a secondary display.

Meaning, this device might be functionally more similar to the ZenBook Pro Duo, which is a dual display laptop from ASUS. On the side of the keyboard, there is a small space, which could function as the touchpad on the laptop. Unfortunately, the patent does not reveal any finer details regarding the device and there are no specifications listed either. So stick around for more updates regarding this matter.

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Samsung was one of the first brands to ever launch a foldable smartphone. Since then, it has released a number of such models. But it seems that the company doesn’t plan on using flexible screens for just the foldable phone format alone.

As per a new patent, the South Korean tech giant is possibly working on a new handset that features a flexible sliding display technology that wraps around the device itself. In other words, it appears to be a smartphone with a curved edge display from the front, but the screen panel doesn’t stop at the edges and extends to cover some portion of the back cover as well. The patent adds that the device has two housings and a flexible display that has two states. In one of these modes, the display wraps around the handset, while the other mode has it extend outward to have the front panel become larger by sliding out.

This patent was spotted on WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organization), Via MySmartPrice. So while the device might look pretty normal from the front, the rear is where it’s innovative design truly shines. Notably, it even resembles the Xiaomi Mi MIX Alpha concept smartphone that featured a display that wrapped around the phone. Looking at the patent sketches, we can see the flexible display extends to the back of the handset and covers around half of the rear panel. Meanwhile, the remaining half houses the triple camera module.

Interestingly, the rear camera can also double as the selfie shooter as well. This is confirmed in the patent images where we can see the smaller half display on the rear showcasing the camera app. In other words, one can see the image the camera will be taking similar to a viewfinder on a DSLR camera. It is unclear if the brand is actually working on such a product or simply covering all bases. So stick around for more updates.

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Samsung is already famous for its foldable tech that we’ve been seeing in the form of patents for the last many years. Recently, the Korean tech giant showcased its Flex foldable technology at the CES event. The company already has two established foldable phone lineups — Z Fold, Z Flip. One after another, it seems that Samsung’s foldable phone saga isn’t slowing down. Now, a new patent showcases a dual folding phone with an S-Pen holder.

Reportedly, a new patent for the Samsung Galaxy Dual Fold was filed back in July 2021. And, it has now been published showcasing the foldable phone’s impressive design. It could be the company’s first Z-style foldable phone concept with this kind of S Pen stylus holder. Thanks to LetsGoDigital, we now have the phone’s schematics.

The foldable phone has two hinges and three parts of the screen. Here while folding, some portion of the back of the phone gets sandwiched between the screen. Interestingly, the right-side of the foldable phone’s back seems to have two cut-outs. These cut-outs are for magnetically attaching the stylus.  As shown in the images, the S Pen sits perfectly in between.

Moreover, the S Pen won’t fall out even when the phone is unfolded since it is magnetically attached. The S Pen can be removed from the bottom, just like the Note series’ or the upcoming S22 Ultra’s S Pen.

If this concept gets materialized, it would be a great deal for the classic Note series fans. The unique way of keeping the S Pen, while getting a mammoth foldable panel in use, is a great way of using the foldable design.

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From foldable phones to rollable smartwatches, Samsung has constantly innovated in the field of foldable screen tech. And now, the company has patent a foldable laptop. Foldable twice that is.

According to a new report by LetsGoDigital, Samsung has patented a new multi-foldable laptop that folds not once but twice. The patent reveals that the concept works with the user first folding (closing) their laptop like normal and then folding it once again on itself from the center.

The keyboard of the laptop is split through the middle with a folding hinge placed in between. The screen will probably use Samsung’s foldable OLED panel that the brand teased earlier this year. The screen will also have a hinge placed vertically in the middle allowing the device to fold a second time with the base of the laptop ending up as the outer part of the device on both front and back ends.

As a result, you get a square-shaped piece of high-tech sandwich that’s much more portable than a regular laptop. One factor to keep in mind would be the laptop’s thickness and it will effectively double when completely folded.

Additionally, another interesting aspect of this laptop would be its production cost as the tech applied to make it fold twice probably won’t come cheap.

However, the laptop has just got its patent approved which doesn’t necessarily mean Samsung is currently working on this or has a plan to introduce it in the market. However, the concept does seem intriguing and we will keep an eye on it to report any notable developments, so stay tuned.

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We had previously reported on Samsung working on a new foldable device that had a display that can bend three times. Now, a new patent further hints that the company appears to be fleshing out its plans for a unique upcoming handset. It also offers us a look at new details and visuals of its Tri Folding Galaxy phone.

According to a LetsGoDigital report, the South Korean tech giant filed an extensive patent with the WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organization) that details its new foldable smartphone. For those unaware, we had covered a number of patents related to a Tri Folding smartphone from Samsung back in 2020. This year, we had even reported on the brand working on a tri folding tablet as well. Now, the latest patent is for a smartphone that has a display that bends in a “Z” format.

All of these documents only point that Samsung is clearly planning on building this triple folding device. The newest patent showcases even more details about the new breed of foldable phones. This handset features three separate screens that can unfold out to become one large and seamless display. Furthermore, this smartphone also features two hinges, with one folding inward while the other folding outward to form the “Z” shape, similar to certain previous patents. This model will reportedly arrive with S Pen support, under display camera, an HDMI connector, and more.

As of right now, the company is the market leader in the foldable smartphone segment. So it arrives as no surprise that Samsung is looking to further expand its presence to maintain its dominance. It is still unknown if the brand is actually working on this device or covering all bases, but looking at the number of tri folding patents we have covered, we can speculate that at least one of these will likely be worked on even further.

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The post Samsung Tri Folding phone surfaces again, this time with more details appeared first on Gizmochina.

Samsung had recently launched the Galaxy Z Fold3 and Galaxy Z Flip3, which were its latest foldable smartphones. With the arrival of the new foldable phones, it seemed that the company is moving away from its popular Galaxy Note series of high end smartphones. But a new trademark and patent hints that the Note lineup will be seeing a major update in terms of design.

According to a LetsGoDigital report, the South Korean tech giant’s display unit had filed a trademark for the name ‘Flex Note’ and also a design patent with the CNIPA (China National Intellectual Property Administration). The patent describes a smartphone with a large display that can fold outward and wrap around the device. In its compact form, the device would resemble a regular smartphone from the front, with its large display folding and wrapping around to the back from the right side. Looking at the compact form from the back, the wrap around display covers around half of the rear panel.

Users can unfold this display, which would make the total screen size of the smartphone larger. This would make it resemble a tablet from the front. Another unique aspect about its design is the inclusion of a recess for the S Pen stylus. In other words, the device will arrive with S Pen support and a special magnetic housing as well. Notably, the device is equal in terms of thickness when in its compact form. However, when the display is unfolded, there is a noticeable difference between one half of the rear panel and the other side which houses the folding wrap around display.

Although, this difference in thickness also serves a purpose as the magnetic housing for the S Pen is in the region behind the folding screen. So when the display folds the S Pen can be housed securely and can be removed when needed in its tablet form. Another interesting aspect is that the rear camera module is not detailed in the patent sketches, but the company does include dual cameras underneath the display that is on the top right corner, which makes it capable of taking both selfies in tablet form and serve as a primary sensor in its compact form. At the moment, it is unknown if the company is actually working on such a product or covering all bases. So stay tuned for more updates.

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Samsung has just recently launched the Galaxy Z Fold3 and Galaxy Z Flip3 foldable smartphones. Now, a new patent has revealed that the company might be working on another Galaxy Z Fold model that could feature a roll out display.

The South Korean tech giant filed the new patent for a foldable smartphone that sports an extendable display. The patent arrives with various product sketches as well, which offers us a look at what this device might look like. Looking at these images, the handset resembles the Galaxy Z Fold3 that has an inward folding design with a large primary screen. However, LetsGoDigital dubbed this device as “Galaxy Z Fold & Roll” as it also sports a roll out display.

While the design is similar to the Galaxy Z Fold3, its extendable roll out display makes it clearly distinct from any foldable phone out in the market right now. Samsung has patented two variants of this device. With Model A, the screen rolls out and extends from the right side when the device is folded, while Model B has the display extend from the left side when folded. To put it simply, this device does not have an external display, unlike the Galaxy Z Fold3, however, the extending display could fill this role by offering users the same functionality.

Although it is unknown what exact purpose this small rolled out display has, but it is likely to offer users a simple way of checking notifications and other key information like time without unfolding the smartphone completely. Keep in mind that this is still just a patent and we have knowing if the company is actually working on such a device or just covering all bases. So take this report with a pinch of salt for now.

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Samsung is set to launch the Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Galaxy Z Flip 3 in the Galaxy Unpacked 2021 event later today (11th August 2021). But a new patent has revealed that the Unpacked 2022 event might have the company unveil a ‘Galaxy Z Slide,’ which features an extending rollable display.

According to a LetsGoDigital report, the South Korean tech giant has applied for a new patent in Germany. Recently, we had also reported on Huawei patenting a Mate X Rollable that featured an extending display that wraps around the device. Now, it seems that Samsung is also working on a similar smartphone of its own. This model also features a rollable screen that wraps around the handset and its display can also be extended from one side.

Looking at the patented images, the device appears to be a regular smartphone from the front, while the rear sports a vertically stacked triple camera module on one side and the wrap around curved display covers nearly one half of the other side. Notably the non-curved side is where the display extends from, which can raise the total size of the primary screen by about 40 to 50 percent. The UI will apparently adapt based on the how the device is being used.

One notable difference between the Huawei Mate X Rollable patent and the Galaxy Z Slide is the extending display’s supporting structure. While the former uses various magnets to keep the display from bending, the latter uses a multiple flexible / elastic ‘carrier films’ to keep the display taut once it leaves the smartphone’s main housing and frame. At the moment, we have no have of confirming if the company is actually working on such a product or is just covering all bases. So stay tuned for more updates.

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Samsung is known for many innovative smartphones. The company’s Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+ were the first mainstream phones to come with a variable aperture camera. The firm’s new utility patent demonstrates a new solution, which not only enables variable FoV (Field of View) but also variable aperture.

According to a report by LetsGoDigital, Samsung Electro-Mechanics filed a utility patent titled ‘Camera module and portable electronic device including the same’ with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in October 2020. The 19-page documentation for this patent was initially released on August 5, 2021.

According to the documentation, the patent uses multiple cameras that can move. Their movement helps in achieving variable FoV (Field of View) and variable aperture.

The patent sketches and images use a triple camera setup consisting of a wide-angle snapper, an ultra-wide unit, and a telephoto shooter. Users can move these cameras via touch input.

As per the example, when the wide-angle camera present in the middle moves downwards, the ultra-wide and telephoto cameras on the left and the right respectively slide inwards forming a triangle.

When the cameras are in a triangular shape, the aperture is narrow. This can be useful for landscape shots. Whereas, when the cameras are in a single line, the aperture is wide, which is useful for portrait photography. On top of this, the movement also changes FoV (Field of View).

We don’t think Samsung will ever release a mainstream smartphone with this tech. But maybe there could be a niche Galaxy smartphone with movable cameras in the future like the Galaxy A80 from 2019.

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The post New Samsung patent demonstrates movable camera with variable aperture and FoV appeared first on Gizmochina.

While Samsung is expected to launch the Galaxy Z Flip 3 and Galaxy Z Fold 3 sometime next month, a new patent has just surfaced that reveals the possible design for a future foldable smartphone from the brand.

According to a LetsGoDigital report, the South Korean tech giant had filed a new patent with WIPO (World Intellectual Property Office) earlier this year, which has recently been granted. The patent arrives with certain design sketches that depict a clamshell folding handset that houses a rotating camera on the hinge, which means it could be a future Galaxy Z Flip model. Notably, the patent focuses on the unique camera module of the smartphone. The module is capable of rotating upwards and backwards, which allows it to take images from different angles.

This would also mean that the camera module would be capable of taking both selfies and act as the primary rear shooter as well. The patent also reveals that this foldable smartphone also features a smaller external display, which would also help in taking selfies apart from just display notifications and other alerts when the device is folded. While the hinge rotating camera design is quite an interesting implementation of a camera module, housing a sensor on the hinge may also cause various issues as well.

The camera module appears to be too large and protrudes from the hinge. So, the device might not be able to lay flat on its back when unfolded and could be uncomfortable to hold as well. Another drawback could be with the design itself since Samsung aims at making the hinge and fold seamless. Thus, adding a camera system might work against the seamless design aesthetic the company has been working towards. Although, this is still just a patent and we have no way of knowing if the brand is actually working on such a device or just covering all bases.

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The post Samsung may launch future Galaxy Z Flip with a rotating camera on the hinge appeared first on Gizmochina.

Samsung was recently granted a patent for a new sliding smartphone that features a display that rolls out and extends, which offers us a look at what the Galaxy Z Roll (or possible the Galaxy Z Slide) might look like.

According to a LetsGoDigital report, the South Korean tech giant filed for the patent with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) back in November 2020. This application was granted earlier this month and showcases a sliding smartphone that has an extending display. In its compact form, the supposed Galaxy Z Roll resembles a conventional smartphone with an under display camera on the front and a triple camera on the rear.

Although, the device also sports a motorized mechanism under the hood that allows it to slide out and extend the display from one side. While the sliding display is undoubtedly its most highlighting feature, the smartphone also sports a heart rate monitor on the rear camera module as well. Meanwhile, the front also houses an in display fingerprint scanner, while the front display also houses an illuminance sensor and proximity sensor underneath the screen.

Unfortunately, it is unknown if Samsung is actually working on such a smartphone or is just covering all bases. But looking at the degree of details in the patent, this might be one of the prototype designs of what could be the Galaxy Z Roll. However, this is just speculation so take this with a pinch of salt for now and stay tuned for more updates regarding this device.

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The post Samsung patent reveals how the Galaxy Z Roll might look like appeared first on Gizmochina.

Before punch-hole displays became mainstream in the smartphone industry, we had phones with pop-up cameras, in addition to devices with various types of notches. However, Samsung did not release a single pop-up camera handset but did launch a rotating camera mobile called Galaxy A80. But now, the company has patented a unique pop-up camera module for smartphones.

1 of 2

According to LetsGoDigital, Samsung Electronics filed a patent titled ‘Electronic device including camera module’ with the WIPO (World Intellectual Property Office) in mid-2020. This patent got approved and published on January 14.

This design patent demonstrates a rotatable pop-up camera module. According to the documentation, the module may house at least three cameras. In the normal state, all these sensors will face backward.

EDITOR’S PICK: Samsung confirms it’s got rollable and slidable displays in the works

But in the selfie mode and video calls, this cylindrical module will rotate to face the front and will slightly pop-up out of the phone’s body to expose a single sensor at the top. The documentation also mentions an option to disclose the second sensor as well by rising the module even further.

This system uses a motor, two gears, and a long propeller shaft. It also includes a movable frame that shifts to the void place when the camera module rises. This frame house a flexible printed circuit board.

1 of 5

Having said that, we don’t expect Samsung to release a commercial smartphone with this solution. Because it sounds more fragile than the regular pop-up camera system. That said, the above renders are created by Jermaine Smit (Concept Creator) for LetsGoDigital.

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The post Samsung patents a smartphone design with rotatable pop-up camera module appeared first on Gizmochina.

For the past few years, smartphone OEMs have been trying their best to reduce display bezels. As a result, we get to see phones with a wide variety of notches and punch holes. However, the main goal has always been to remove these obstructions to achieve a full-screen device. 

The only way to achieve this is by placing the front camera underneath the display. We already have the first commercial handset with this design in the form of ZTE Axon 20 5G. But the list of products with this tech may soon grow as the world’s largest smartphone maker Samsung has patented an implementation regarding the same.

According to LetsGoDigital, Samsung Display filed a patent titled ‘Display Device’ with the USPTO (United States Patent and Trademark Office) in May 2020. Its documentation was later published on December 31, 2020.

This patent details the South Korean tech giant’s under-display camera implementation on smartphones. As per the documents, this solution includes two display parts. The first one is the primary screen with a better resolution, whereas the second smaller part has a comparatively lower resolution.

This second part can be either placed along the entire top side of the handset or any of the top sides. This section can be used not only to hide the front-facing camera but also LED flash and sensors.

Infrared sensors can be utilized to easily recognize objects/people as more light cannot enter underneath the display. This sensor can also calculate the distance between the phone and the objects/people.

That said, Samsung also makes reference to a similar patent filed in 2016 in the new one. Thus, we can say that the company has been continuously improving its implementation for years.

Anyway, it is not known when the tech behemoth will bring this solution to the market. Nevertheless, we can expect it to debut on a high-end Galaxy A series phone instead of flagships.

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Smartphone manufacturers have been trying to launch a smartphone with a full display body on the front for years now. Various methods have been adopted so far like the punch hole selfie camera or the pop up mechanism. Now, a new patent has revealed that Samsung might have found another new method of hiding the selfie camera in the display.

Back in June 2020, Samsung Electronics filed a patent with the WIPO (World Intellectual Property Office) for an ‘Electronic device including sub display and method of operating same.’ This document was approved and published on 24th December 2020. The patent describes a device that has its selfie shooter to be completely hidden when not in use. For this, the South Korean tech giant detailed a complicated method.

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Looking into this unique mechanism, the company aims at having the screen be transparent at a particular area where the camera is housed. Although, a secondary display is placed directly under this transparent area to cover the camera when not in use. At the moment, the next expected technology to hit the market will most likely be the under display selfie shooter. But this unique method takes away the issue of quality that affects devices with under display selfie cameras.

According to a LetsGoDigital report, this new technology might be seen in a future Samsung flagship handset. Unfortunately, it will likely not be seen in the Galaxy S21 series but could be featured in the Galaxy S22 lineup, which would launch in 2022. However, that is just speculation and we have no way of knowing if the company is actively working on this technology for a smartphone lineup. So stay tuned for more updates.

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Samsung is the market leader in the foldable smartphone category. The Galaxy Z Flip is the world’s best setting foldable handset. Its successor is reported to launch in spring 2021. Ahead of it, the company has patented a design for a similar phone with improvements.

According to LetsGoDigital, Samsung Electronics filed a design patent titled ‘Foldable electronic device’ with the WIPO (World Intellectual Property Office) in June 2020. After its approval, the documentation for this patent got published on December 10.

The clamshell foldable smartphone in this design patent is similar to the Galaxy Z Flip and Galaxy Z Flip 5G but with a larger cover display, more cameras, and a better hinge. Hence, we can expect the same elements in the upcoming Galaxy Z Flip 2.

The cover display in this design is located at the center like on the Motorola razr 5G but it seems to be comparatively smaller. Anyway, it is larger than the tiny screen present in the current-gen Galaxy Z Flip.

Further, it features a triple camera setup instead of a dual-camera module along with an LED flash. Interestingly, there’s no punch-hole camera in the inner display. It looks like one of those circular things on the top bezel could be for the front-facing camera.

Lastly, but most importantly, this design sports a redesigned hinge that not only supports Flex Mode but also shuts the phone with zero-gap.

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Despite smartphone batteries greatly improving over the last couple of years, it is still a primary cause for concern on a long day. But with devices becoming more slimmer, accessories like power banks have also become more common. However, Samsung might have a different and more innovative idea for charging devices on the go.

A recent patent filing by the South Korean tech giant has revealed that the company might be working on a new wireless charger that can top up smartphones and it isn’t anything like the ones the company has sold in the past. This one arrives as a ring, which is powered by the movement of the user. To explain the device in brief, it is not a small emergency battery to charge one’s phone with, rather, it uses a magnetic disc inside the ring which movers around when the users’ hand is in motion.

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This process generates electricity, making the tiny product a mini generator of sorts. But this not the whole picture either, as the device is also capable of transferring heat from the users’ body to generate into electricity apart from just using kinetic energy alone. According to a PhoneArena report, Samsung plans on having the device hold a small battery to store the generated electricity before charging your smartphones.

Charging your device is another interesting aspect of this patent, as the user will not be plugging in the device through the USB port. Rather, the handset will be charged wireless when one is using their device normally. This would mean that your finger must be in the position above where the wireless charging coils are housed to charge the phone. Keep in mind, this is still just a patent and we may never actually see the product being made for the commercial market, but it does offer a glimpse into possible future electronic accessories.

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Although Samsung Display is leading the technology when it comes to displays, it never shies to innovate further. However, the latest patent from its sibling Samsung Electronics defies every myth with an all-display and a portless design.

The new patent, as spotted by LetsGoDigital, is a true 100% display device. The images show multiple displays wrapped around the device. There are no ports, cameras, and physical buttons. Samsung Electronics has filed it at USPTO(US Patent and Trademark Office) back in July 2020. It has been published on October 29,2020, and also visible in the WIPO(World Intellectual Property Office) database.

Display, Transparent Housing designs

Talking about the displays, we see a curved display at the front. However, the rear panel’s display sits flat. And has many semi-rounded displays on the sides. Additionally, the display is covered by transparent housing on the front and back. The report mentions that it is made of a transparent “acrylic material”. Other components inside are hidden under this surrounding display with support columns.

Additionally, the device also has a sliding camera. The device reportedly has two parts with the cameras fixed to the back of the front part. Accordingly, a user needs to slide the rear part down to reveal the cameras. That said, for selfies, he/she can turn to the rear display. And use the same camera for taking selfies.

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All this makes the device completely covered by display, and give a true full display smartphone experience. Further, the patent also mentions a secondary camera hidden inside. This is reportedly to find out which display the user is staring at. Other features like in-display fingerprint sensor, speaker, and sensors are under the display.

However, as mentioned earlier, there are no visible buttons, ports in the design. But the patent details say that the device can be turned on/off via screen using a piezoelectric sensor. The patent also talks about the possibility of eSIM and wired/wireless charging albeit having no ports.

EDITOR’S PICK: Samsung patents a Galaxy smartphone with a transparent display

Use-case Scenarios of Transparent housing, Sliding Camera

The new housing and all-display inside has several use-case scenarios. These include displaying weather information, health/training info via graphics on the entire screen. The report says the housing also can adapt to the environment by detecting colors, and displaying images accordingly.

For instance, scanning a pebble, it can turn the entire device look like a pebble by displaying it on all the images. Additionally, the device would also use AI to reportedly adapt to situations, read environments, and display data like Weather, traffic information accordingly.

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As for the display and hidden camera, they reportedly will work in tandem for various actions. It can track and activate the display accordingly when the device is in hands, table, etc. The other displays, that aren’t in use, can show preset images like thumbnails of recent images.

Users can swipe it from the sides to expand into the screen in use. Other features include turn-over the screen while watching a video to see file info, project contents on all display at the same time, etc. Nevertheless, if the design gains momentum and becomes a final product, it is sure to be attractive than wrap-around Mi Mix Alpha, and portless Meizu Zero.

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Samsung had recently launched the Galaxy Z Fold 2. This was the successor to the company’s first foldable smartphone and arrived with various improvements. Now, a new patent reveals what appears to be the Galaxy Z Fold 3, which may arrive with an S Pen.

Earlier this year, the South Korean tech giant filed a patent with the WIPO (World Intellectual Property Office) for a new smartphone. The documentation describes the device while also offering various sketches as well. Looking at these images, it is clear that the handset in question is a foldable device, and on the bottom right corner is where the S Pen will be housed. The patent is also indicative of the company’s plans to include the stylus in future foldable handsets.

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The device in the image resembles the original Galaxy Fold in design, but with the inclusion of a new S Pen. For those unaware, Samsung ships the stylus with larger screen smartphones like the Galaxy Note series or some of its tablets like the Galaxy Tab S series. Although, the stylus on the latter is larger than the former’s. Interestingly, the LetsGoDigital report also stated the company is also looking to use a new ‘Active Electrostatic Solution’ (AES) technology in the future. The application of this technology would work well with foldable smartphones since Samsung is also planning on raising the thickness of its UTG (Ultra Thin Glass) from 30 micrometers to 60 micrometers.

Unfortunately, this is just a design patent and we have no confirmation from the company regarding its plans for the future. The patent also doesn’t explicitly state the name of the device, so take this report with a pinch of salt as well. We had also previously covered another patent regarding a foldable device with a sliding keyboard, which might have also been another possible design for the Galaxy Z Fold 3. Samsung would likely launch its next gen foldable handsets next year, so we can expect to see more information arrive in a few weeks or even a couple of months.

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Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 arrived as the successor to the company’s original Galaxy Fold with numerous improvements in design and functionality. Now, a new patent from the South Korean tech giant reveals that the next gen Galaxy Z Fold 3 may go even further and add a sliding keyboard as well.

In 2018, Samsung Display had filed a display patent with the KIPO (Korean Intellectual Property Office). This documentation was published back in July 2020 and arrives with eight product sketches alongside a brief description. According to a LetsGoDigital report, the design patent in question is for a double foldable smartphone, which is impressively thin even when it is folded. 3D product renders of the sketches from LetsGoDigital also allows us to better analyze the device.

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Looking at these renders, it is clear that the Samsung device folds in two different places through two hinges. This essentially makes 3 different parts of the device, which can act as a tablet when completely unfurled and would be narrow when folded. These different display might have an additional functionality as well when folded, like displaying notifications from messaging apps or other social media applications. Since the device will have the display face outward even when folded, Samsung would likely use its UTG (Ultra Thin Glass) layer for added protection.

Arriving at the most interesting aspect regarding the device, a unique sliding keyboard mechanism is also present under the display. This keyboard slides right within one of the displays that are at the corner and features a full QWERT format. The inclusion of the keyboard may serve various purposes like a mini laptop mode for typing, and could even be useful for other productive endeavors. And since it is housed on a sliding mechanism, it can be used when folded or unfolded as well. Unfortunately, finer details regarding this device are currently unknown, and we only have a design patent to go on. So stay tuned for more updates of what might just be the Galaxy Z Fold 3.

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Despite being the market leader in terms of foldable smartphones, Samsung continues to file design and utility patents related to this kind of phone. This shows the company’s dedication towards what’s said to the future of smartphones. That said, now another Samsung foldable smartphone utility patent has emerged describing the usage of pop-up cameras.

As always, the new utility patent by Samsung Electronics was spotted by LetsGoDigital. The company filed it with the WIPO (World Intellectual Property Office) titled ‘ Foldable electronic device including sliding structure and method for controlling the same’. The patent got approved and published on October 22.

The 79-page documentation for this patent talks about using pop-up cameras in 4 different ways in a foldable smartphone that looks like the Galaxy Z Fold2. We don’t think that the South Korean tech giant will ever adopt this but still it is worth taking a look at.

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In the first type, the pop-up module contains sensors for selfies and video calls like on traditional smartphones. Hence, this module resides inside the left-wing of the phone. Whereas, in the remaining three types, the pop-up module sits inside the right-wing.

In the second type, the pop-up module is dedicated to rear cameras so that the back panel of the device can be kept clean. However, in the third type, the pop-module includes microphones and flash for rear cameras as well as the entire suite of front-facing sensors. Lastly, the fourth type houses both the rear and front cameras together.

Having said that, as we mentioned in the beginning, Samsung may never use this utility patent as under-screen cameras are expected to take over in the coming years.

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Samsung is the frontrunner when it comes to foldable displays. It made a commercially viable Galaxy Fold last year. And from there on, it has never looked back. Now, a new patent reveals that Samsung wants to incorporate a foldable display on a smartphone that has a pop-up speaker with a resonance chamber.

The team at LetsGoDigital was quick to spot it. Samsung has filed the patent with the WIPO(World Intellectual Property Organization). The 35-page document, applied back in February this year, has been published on October 15, 2020. The schematics show a boxy design with rounded corners resembling the recently launched iPhone 12 series. The report says that of the front and rear panels, few components like Speaker, microphone. And front camera are stuck to the rear end of the front panel.

Apparently, they move with the panel and the flexible display. Hence, a top portion of the display moves up and folds inward probably by a mechanism inside. This creates a virtual resonance chamber for the speaker inside. A 3D design by Giuseppe Spinelli below shows a better idea of how the device would look like. Further, the report says that the document mentions a plastic polymer display. This suggests Colorless polyimide film(CPI) found on OG Galaxy Fold. However, we can’t rule out the possibility of UTG as well.

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Moving on, the schematics show the speaker units placed close to the sides. Accordingly, there are vents on three sides of the top portion. This pops-up as the display bents intently to create the desired sound effect. Now, this is not the first time we hear about the resonance chamber on Smartphones. Previously, LG launched the LG G7^ThinQ in 2018 and it had a Boombox like sound effect. The speaker on LG G7^ThinQ cleverly uses the inside of the Smartphone as a resonance chamber to get a loud, rumbling bass effect.

That said, Samsung’s approach is totally different, with a flexible display, pop-up speaker, a lifting mechanism, a cooling fan, etc. Further, if the report is true, the display will also support S-Pen. Samsung has been working on a foldable display that supports S-Pen for a while and looks like that might soon become true. All in all, this design classifies as a solid entrant of a flagship smartphone with a foldable display, pop-up speaker, S-Pen support, and more.

Do note that this is not a foldable smartphone but just has a foldable display. Hence, Samsung may debut the design anywhere like the S or the Note series in the future.

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Samsung Electronics is ahead of any other company in terms of foldable smartphones. To stay ahead of the competition, the South Korean tech behemoth has been patenting foldable devices in various sizes and forms. Just last week, a patent filed by the firm’s sister company Samsung Display was unearthed by LetsGoDigital. Now, the publication has spotted another patent filed by Samsung Electronics.

Foldable smartphones are said to be the next big thing in consumer electronics. They are already here but are out of reach for most people. Thankfully, they are expected to get cheaper in the coming years as the tech matures. In the meantime, companies like Samsung will continue to patent new designs.

The newly spotted foldable design patent was filed by Samsung Electronics with the WIPO (World Intellectual Property Office) in April. It got approved and published on October 15 titled ‘Foldable electronic device including a plurality of camera modules’.

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The patent includes three different designs – two with an outward folding screen like the HUAWEI Mate Xs and one with an inward folding screen like the Galaxy Z Fold2. 

However, all three of them have a cutout on the front display so that the cameras present inside can be used even when the phone is closed. Hence, the title includes the term plurality of camera modules.

Anyway, we don’t see Samsung ever implementing this design in a commercial product. The current-gen devices have already moved on to punch-holes. The notch on the original Galaxy Fold offers a less immersive experience and has app compatibility issues.

Since these newly patented designs also have to make a similar compromise with the display like on the company’s first commercially available foldable smartphone, we don’t think Samsung will ever implement them.

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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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In recent times, smartphone manufacturers are pushing the boundaries of futuristic designs. While a few years ago foldable devices seemed like science fiction, the technology has led to designs becoming increasingly more innovative. Now, Samsung has patented a new handset, one with a futuristic transparent display.

The South Korean tech giant filed the patent with the USPTO (United States Patent and Trademark Office) and the WIPO (World Intellectual Property Office), according to a LetsGoDigital report. This was published on 27th August 2020 and describes the technology that is needed to make a transparent smartphone. Alternatively, the technology can even be used in other electronic gadgets as well, including TVs, monitors, laptops, and gaming consoles.

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The patent is based more around the technical aspect, going to great lengths to detail the different layers and components required to achieve transparency. The device seen in the patent has narrow bezels and a large transparent screen. An OLED panel is apparently used, since this type of display is equipped with a transparent luminous panel which lets light shine through.

Unfortunately, finer details regarding the unnamed Samsung Galaxy device is currently unknown. Furthermore, it is also unclear if the South Korean tech giant is actually working on such a device, or just filed the patent to cover all bases for future a possible release in the far future and this does offer us a glimpse of what smartphones could look like in after a few years.

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Samsung has trademarked ‘Antimicrobial Coating’ which will be applied on top of cases made by the company. This coating has been proven to be effective against the Coronavirus.

For those unaware, Antimicrobial coating is used to fight again virus strains or particles and bacteria on a given surface as well. At the moment, the world is facing a viral pandemic, with the Coronavirus strain being highly infectious and easy to pass on. Since it survives on certain surfaces, it can easily be transmitted through touch as well. This is where the new Samsung cases come in, as the antimicrobial coating would prevent such particles from staying on the surface of the case.

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With no vaccination being currently available, prevention and precaution is the best method against the virus. So, steps like these are also appreciated since smartphones are generally found to be filled with bacteria due to our constant interaction with that piece of technology. The new coating would ensure that even bacteria do not stick around.

The South Korean tech giant has submitted a patent for ‘Antimicrobial Coating’ on June 30 in several countries. Furthermore, the launch of its upcoming flagship Galaxy Note 20 series might be the perfect time for the launch of such protective cases. Although, it is still too soon to tell when they will come out, so stay tuned for more updates.

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(Via)

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With each passing generation, smartphone vendors have been improving and, in certain cases, even raising the number of image sensors for their handset offerings. Now, a recent Samsung patent has revealed a new device that features a whopping 6 cameras on the rear, including a periscopic lens.

The South Korean tech giant applied for this patent back in December 2019 with the WIPO (World Intellectual Property Office) which was published earlier this week on June 11. While the 6 sensor camera module is eye catching, the main aspect regarding this camera module is its tilting mechanism for its sensors. Look at the images in the patent, we can observe the image sensors being able to tilt.

According to the patent, the Samsung smartphone uses 5 wide angle image sensors with a 28mm focal length on the rear alongside a telephoto lens. These sensors are arranged horizontally with three on each row and an LED flash. In the normal mode, these cameras face the regular forward direction, but in the “active mode,” they can tilt towards the horizontally or vertically.

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This enables the sensors to achieve a wider focal length overall and may even help in producing panoramic shots without moving the smartphone itself. Furthermore, the tilting lenses are also said to offer a ‘pano-bokeh effect,’ which implied blurred backgrounds on a panoramic image. This moving lens technology could also have the 5 wide angle sensors work simultaneously to offer a better image that is stitched together.

Unfortunately, this form of array cameras are still too expensive to mass produce, but do offer various advantages. An example being improved low light shots through the use of the array camera module. Regular images could also have a higher dynamic range and the bokeh effect could target more subjects individually as well.

The Samsung patent also goes in depth regarding the shortfalls of this system, with a notable one being the size of the camera module. Since it will be housed in a flagship device, the device may need to have a popup mechanism to house the sensor to achieve the movement, while maintaining thinness. Unfortunately, it is unknown if Samsung would actually develop and sell the device in the near future, but the technology does offer a glimpse into the future generations of smartphones.

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(Via)

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A recent Samsung patent has revealed a new AR glasses technology. The South Korean tech giant has dabbled with AR (augmented reality) and VR (virtual reality) technologies in the past and the new patent reveals an improved and easier navigation system.

According to the patent description, the new AR glasses will be capable of offering users step by step instructions when assisting during navigation. The innovative navigation system offers users directions directly through the glasses. This system highly resembles a heads up display that is seen in fighter aircraft and recently in a few cars’ windshields as well. However, the AR glasses might offer a more immersive experience that might distract the user less while driving.

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The Samsung AR glasses will be able to provide an overlay that offers navigational information in real time. This device could even provide information regarding different points of interest that a driver may notice while looking around, making it more versatile and informative at the same time. For example, information can be displayed for exit ramps, fuel stations, or even food joints if needed.

The AR glasses from Samsung would require a few additional systems to work, namely sync with a map application, GPS tracking, multiple cameras within the car, and sensors as well. At the moment, the company does offer various smart car related products that feature these components, but it seems like Samsung is taking it a step further and making it more interactive.

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(Via)

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Samsung was one of the first smartphone manufacturers to adopt a curved display with its Galaxy lineup. Since then, various other OEMs have also included the technology, but it seems like Samsung plans on taking it a step further with its new patent.

The new patent from Samsung reveals a new display technology which includes curved edges but on all four corners. Generally, a curved display was prominent only on the sides. However, Samsung seems to be extending the screen beyond the lower chin and upper notches as well. The patent contains 7 patented images and a brief description.

The South Korean tech giant had originally filed a patent back in July 2019 in China at the SNIPA (Chinese National Intellectual Property Administration). This was finally published on 24th March 2020 and is now also included in the Global Design Database of the WIPO (World Intellectual Property Office). Thanks to LetsGoDigital, we now have 3D renders of the patented display technology.

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Looking at the images, the most striking aspect is the curved display extending beyond the top and lower bezels. Rather, only the corners now have bezels and are barely from the front. The Samsung device features an overall unique and futuristic design as well with a rounded corner. These corners that feature the metallic frame may also serve the purpose of durability, helping the smartphone survive falls.

Judging from the design, no physical buttons or camera modules can be observed on the sides or on the front. This leads to the possibility of Samsung including an in-display fingerprint reader with a selfie camera under the screen as well. Unfortunately, it is currently unknown if Samsung will actually develop such a product or not. So stay tuned for more.

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(Via)

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Samsung is apparently working on a new speaker that also features a unique rollable display. The South Korean tech giant has patented designs for the unique speaker in the Korean Intellectual Property office.

According to the patent, the Samsung speaker’s schematics can be observed. The gadget features a flexible display unit that can cover the cylindrical shaped speaker’s entire surface except for the woofer at the top. The display can also be unfurled and be used at a 180 degree angle. In other words, it can be unrolled and straightened, probably to provide a better viewing experience.

The rollable display is supported from the back through a hinge mechanism although it is unclear if the unfolding method is mechanized and automated or require user input. Unfortunately, finer details regarding the speaker like its specifications and display resolution have not been detailed in the patent. But, it might be a smart speaker and arrive with Samsung’s Bixby voice assistant.

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Smart speakers, on some occasions, arrive with displays for added touch input or viewing visual content. Hence, this could be Samsung’s idea of providing a better viewing experience coupled with a more portable and compact form factor. Meaning, users will have an easier time carrying it around and could also serve as a great mobile entertainment unit with greater visual and audio output.

As of right now, Samsung has yet to have any commercially available smart speakers. Its Galaxy Home has already been delayed for about two years but the Galaxy Home Mini is expected to arrive after the Unpacked event, on 12th February 2020. While the patent might imply that Samsung could look into launching a product with this particular design, the company has yet to confirm its development or possibly a future launch.

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(Via)

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A new Samsung patent has surfaced which showcases a unique and futuristic design. The patents revealed a Galaxy smartphone with a round edge/notch and comprise of three separate displays.

Looking at the images provided, the Samsung smartphone is made of two round sub-displays that are placed at the bottom and at the top of the primary display unit. The main screen is noticeably larger than the other two and the three combined to showcase a “squircular” display which mix of square and circular on the edges, according to the patent description.

The sub-displays serve a functional purpose alongside its unique appearance. The top and bottom rounded displays contain various app icons that can be interacted with via touch input and will also allow wheel scrolling to get to the users’ desired choice of applications. This has also led to a smartphone with a futuristic design.

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The smartphone portrayed in the patent arrives with a rounded notch while the sides reveal minimal bezels. Unlike other OEMs that have their offerings feature waterdrop notch, bar notch or even a punch hole camera, this rounded has never been seen before. Since the sub-displays also offer some unique functionality, the new design seems to benefit from the new hardware which could arrive with specialized software optimizations as well.

Samsung is known to uniquely brand the notches on its Galaxy smartphone offerings. These include names like “Infinity-O,” “Infinity-U,” and “Infinity-V.” The O refers to punch hole and is generally seen in flagship handsets, while the U and V are different forms of a waterdrop notch display typically found in Galaxy A series and M series of smartphones. Thus, with the prior focus on notches, an upcoming Galaxy smartphone with such a futuristic design doesn’t seem far fetched.

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(Source)

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Waterfall displays might be old story since both Vivo and Huawei have launched their flagships with such super curved designs. However, Samsung’s new patent hints that the South Korean tech giant may join the waterfall club in the future. First reported by LetsGoDigital, the company has obtained patents for a waterfall display smartphone that curves to the very edge of the sides.

Interestingly, the patent was granted on all major intellectual property offices like KIPO (Korean Intellectual Property Office), USPTO (United States Patent and Trademark Office) and WIPO (World Intellectual Property Office), essentially granting permission to use this design worldwide.

Editor’s Pick: Alleged Xiaomi Mi Mix 4 leaks with a Waterfall display

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In case you are wondering, the difference between a waterfall display and a regular edge display is the extent to which the display curves on the sides. Waterfall displays occupy the entire side, leaving very little or no room for things like power or volume buttons. In Samsung’s patent application, the power button seems to be located on top. We can’t find the volume buttons on the sides, so the phone is most likely using software powered volume controls.

To recall, both Vivo Nex 3 and Huawei Mate 30 Pro have ditched volume buttons. While the Mate 30 Pro has a physical power button, the Nex 3 has a pressure-sensitive portion on the frame.

Samsung’s patent for the waterfall display only covers one part of the smartphone. But a commercial phone would most likely feature waterfall displays on both sides.

UP NEXT: LG patents an expanding phone with a folding display

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Samsung has been granted a new patent by the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) for a flexible phone. The phone extends outwards to create a bigger display on a smaller body.

The patent description is for a smartphone that has a 16:9 display in standard mode but when it is unfolded, it changes to a larger display with 18:9 aspect ratio when the display is stretched fully. Samsung had earlier on patented a similar design but that one is for a  smartphone which pops up in order to extend the display. In this case, the flexible display stretch from the bottom edge to roll out to its full size.

EDITOR’S PICK: First Samples from the 108MP Mi Mix Alpha is here & we are not impressed!

The flexible display rolled out fully to show the notch and the sensors in the front. While most of the display will be visible when unfolded, there will still be a portion that when the display is not stretched fully, the screen will not show the earpiece, selfie sensor, etc. This can provide a more immersive experience while watching videos, reading a text message, browsing, etc.

The sketch shows the flexible display hides the notch and sensor under the back panel when it is rolled up. When there is a call or the selfie camera is activated, the phone’s screen will stretch out to its full length, revealing the notch that houses all the sensors. We can’t tell if the mechanism will operate automatically or manually but it unrolls via a swivel mechanism.

Flexible screens are usually very fragile so the display and the swivel mechanism are all enclosed in a back panel which covers the frame on the left and right sides too. We can’ b sure if this design would be commercialized anytime soon.

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A new Samsung patent filing with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and the World Intellectual Property Office (WIPO) has revealed one feature that could find its way to the Galaxy S11. The patent which was published on September 26, 2019, is titled as an “Electronic device including several light sources.”

The device is described as a smartphone with an infrared (IR) spectrometer. The patent document also includes several sketches that show how various sensors, including the camera function to achieve spectrometry. One of the illustrations shows how the IR spectrometer function in calculating the sugar content of fruits. The phone will also be able to detect the level of moisture on the skin, measure the CO2 level. It also features smoke detection and can help determine the content of medicine as well as to measure the freshness of food and the blood glucose level.

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If Samsung decides to equip the Galaxy S11 next year with this function, the phone won’t be the first to have such. The world’s first smartphone with an infrared spectrometer is the Changhong H2 that was first unveiled at CES 2017. A tiny spectrometer-on-a-chip was also introduced by Egyptian start-up Si-Ware. The chip is quite compact making it suitable for use on even a wearable device aside from smartphones.  Towards the end of 2017, TU Eindhoven also developed a micro-spectrometer sensor.

UP NEXT: First Samples from the 108MP Mi Mix Alpha is here & we are not impressed!

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A Samsung patent application filed in June 2018 has been unmasked showing what the Korean smartphone giant might have in store for its fans in the near future. The patent application is for a dual screen phone but this time around, instead of just being foldable, the two screens can be detached and used independently. 

Samsung is still expected to be the first OEM to release a true foldable phone even though the Flexpai has been unveiled but is not yet on sale. So, Samsung can beat it to become the first commercial foldable flagship. However, while we wait for that, the company has apparently been tinkering with the idea of another innovation in dual display phones. The patent application bears the title,  “Electronic device with two display devices and method of operating” and was filed before the World Intellectual Property Office (WIPO) last June. The application also shows that a similar patent application had been filed with the Korean Intellectual Property Office a year earlier, precisely on June 28, 2017.

The device is composed of two distinct smartphones, each with their own processor and fuselage. The perk here is that both phones can be attached and used as one single big phone but can also be used independently. Both screens are attached using magnets. Each of the two phones houses three magnets that allow the two phones to be attached in several different orientations. The application comes with sketches which give users an idea of how the detachable folding phone can be applied. It allows users to run two different apps at the same time just like split-screen but in this case, none of the apps will be paused. You can as well use the phone as one big screen for streaming movies. There are other configurations for snapping selfies, as well as for typing emails and texts with a virtual QWERTY keyboard.

Read Also: FlexPai, World’s First Foldable Smartphone, Will be the First to Ship With Snapdragon 855

We can’t say for sure when this patent design will become a reality but we’re quite certain it is not going to be any time soon.

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Global smartphone market leader Samsung has always been at the forefront of innovative designs. The company is well positioned to lead the race to be the first to release a foldable phone. While we wait for that, a new Samsung patent has now emerged, giving us an idea of where future designs of the Galaxy series may be headed. 

The patented design is that of a phone with a second display fixed on the back. The design includes a bezel-less full-screen display coupled with the smaller secondary screen at the back. The secondary display may not be different from that of the Meizu Pro 7, and LG V20 but it sure looks bigger. We also saw the dual display design on the Yotaphone models but the second screen is an e-ink display.

Questions have been asked severally about the relevance of a secondary display on a phone. But then, the design may even not be for an upcoming smartphone but could be for a technology that may find its way into a future phone. The technology sometimes ends up not being utilised. In this case, it was stated that ‘the broken lines shown in the drawings don’t form any part of the claimed design. That means the purported secondary display isn’t part of the patent.

Read Also: Xiaomi Mi Pocket Speaker 2 Launched in India Priced At Rs.1499 (~$22)

Despite the ultra-thin bezels, the front design is void of a front camera and iris scanner. The only features seemingly depicted in the sketches are an earpiece and what looks like a proximity sensor sitting next to it on the top bezel. But then, this isn’t likely the complete design of a phone Samsung will release. The focus which is the straight lines seems to be on the bezel-less display. We could see Samsung go further with reducing the bezels on future Galaxy series flagship which seems to be the only direction to go presently.

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