A brick that becomes a tablet: Samsung’s strange foldable patent

The South Korean manufacturer is a true pioneer in the foldable smartphone space, yet it remains the one with the most conservative approach from one generation to the next. And yet in Samsung’s patents lie eccentric ideas, a true celebration of technology and originality.

Sure, not all of them prove practical, but this shows that behind a traditionalist aura there are numerous experiments in search of different designs, even brick-shaped.

Samsung patents brick-shaped foldable smartphone: here’s how it works

Well, yes, the latest novelty comes precisely from a patent and shows a design quite atypical for a foldable. The device presents the geometric shape of a rectangular parallelepiped, notably elongated, with rounded edges and a square section (the smaller base).

All in all, a brick-like foldable smartphone: when closed the phone sports a decidedly unusual style and maybe can even serve as a defense weapon (joking, of course). The twist comes when opened: the device reveals a wide screen that arises from the combination of three display technologies (flexible, foldable and rollable).

The panel can be extended partially or fully, creating a huge space, like a generously sized tablet. The idea is interesting, but the brick form factor raises some questions; the patent sheds no light on the overall dimensions of the parallelepiped, so we cannot say for sure how pocketable it is.

Anyway, this unprecedented form factor would pair perfectly with a foldable tablet or notebook. As always, we remind that patents represent an interesting behind-the-scenes look, but they do not always translate into commercial products.

The new wide design and Samsung’s future

By July, Samsung will announce its first smartphone in wide format, i.e., with screens featuring a 4:3 aspect ratio. The result is a device that looks like a passport, slightly bulkier than the usual sleek models from the manufacturer. The advantage is that once opened it becomes a small tablet, with the right dimensions and proportions. According to analysts this will be the future of foldable smartphones, given the convenience and versatility for multitasking.

Meanwhile the company is working on the next Galaxy Z TriFold 2, the second chapter of the device with a tri-fold display. Along with it, a smartphone with a rollable display, a solution that has been rumored for years (among patents and official prototypes).