Samsung’s been rumored to be working on phones with folding displays for a while, but according to a report from Bloomberg, Samsung might actually launch some in 2017.
Two phones with “bendable screens” are said to be in the works, including one that folds in half “like a cosmetic compact” and another that would look like a 5 inch phone when held in one hand, but which could be unfolded and used as an 8 inch tablet when you want a bigger screen.
Samsung has been showing off flexible display technology for years and uses some of that technology for its Galaxy Edge line of smartphones, allowing the screens to be folded around the edges of the device. But the screens on the Edge series are still a lot like traditional displays, in that you can’t actually bend them yourself — the flexibility comes in handy for manufacturing, not for end users.
Bloomberg talked to sources familiar with Samsung’s plans, who say that the phones would use OLED displays, are being built under the codename “Project Valley,” and could be unveiled at Mobile World Congress in February, 2017.
Samsung isn’t the only company said to be working on phones with folding displays. LG may also be developing similar technology.