Samsung foldable phone 'Galaxy X' leak reveals screen details ahead of launch event

The much-hyped smartphone could be unveiled as early as next week, with a release date anticipated for 2019

Anthony Cuthbertson
Friday 02 November 2018 17:39 EDT
Comments
A concept for a foldable smartphone, which could be similar to the Samsung 'Galaxy X'
A concept for a foldable smartphone, which could be similar to the Samsung 'Galaxy X' (Getty/iStock)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Samsung has been teasing the release of a foldable phone since 2014 but the groundbreaking device may now be just a week away, as rumours abound that it will be unveiled at a conference hosted by the South Korean electronics giant.

Potentially named the Galaxy X or Galaxy F, it is believed the bendy gadget will be demonstrated at the electronics giant's developer conference beginning on 7 November, with a potential release date set for some time in 2019.

Samsung has been working with YouTube and Netflix to figure out ways to deliver content on the folding screen, The Wall Street Journal reported.

Samsung released a video in 2014 that demonstrated a foldable screen concept
Samsung released a video in 2014 that demonstrated a foldable screen concept (Samsung)

The foldable screen may even have name – the Infinity-V – after a separate leak revealed Samsung had trademarked the name with the Korean intellectual property office.

A spokesperson for Samsung was not immediately available for comment.

The concept of a smartphone featuring a folding design was first floated by Samsung in a video released in 2014, which imagined how personal devices might look in the future.

Samsung has since filed numerous patents relating to bending or folding organic light emitting diode (OLED) screens, though no official word has been given on the phone's development.

A report earlier this year suggested Samsung had already built a 7-inch prototype device, code named 'Winner', which would feature a screen that folds in half "like a wallet."

While Samsung will be the first major smartphone maker to launch a folding smartphone if it goes ahead with the unveiling of the Galaxy X next week, the claim the "world's first foldable phone" has already been taken by a Californian startup.

Earlier this week, Royole corporation unveiled the FlexPai handset, which features a 7.8-inch display capable of folding in half.

Other manufacturers rumoured to be working on similarly-designed devices include Huawei and LG.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in