Samsung recently showcased a bunch of OLED display panels for smartphones and laptops at CES 2023. The list includes the Flex Hybrid, Flex Slideable Solo, and Flex Slidable Duet. It seems the manufacturer is also working on a new prototype display and hinge that folds both inwards and outwards.
This is an OLED display that can fold both ways, offering a flexible solution for foldable smartphones. Samsung Display has demoed this OLED display to TheVerge, and called it “Flex In & Out.” It has a 360-degree hinge, which lets you fold the screen inward and outward.
According to Samsung spokesperson John Lucas, this display uses a new kind of hinge, creating a significantly less visible crease. The hinge folds the screen more loosely and allows the device to fold completely by resembling the shape of a small waterdrop in the crease, and it also puts less stress on the display. It appears that this mechanism is also allowing the panel to bend comfortably without stretching.
As you can see in the below image, the showcased prototype was pictured next to a Galaxy Z Fold smartphone. The prototype is looking as thick as the current foldable phones such as Galaxy Z Flip 4 and Galaxy Z Fold 4, which feature a U-shaped hinge, making the screen crease remarkably visible.
The source hasn’t provided any info on whether this OLED panel and hinge will be ready for commercial products anytime in the near future. We may expect to see this technology with the Galaxy Z Fold 5, which is rumored to feature a waterdrop-shaped hinge for a no-gap design and a significantly less visible crease.
Source: TheVerge