After months of hints and rumours, Samsung has finally debuted its first foldable phone at the Samsung Developer’s Conference in San Francisco. But we may have been left with more questions that answers…
As revealed a few weeks back, the new device is a tablet that converts into a phone when folded. This is possible because of Samsung’s new ‘Infinity Flex Display’ which apparently allows long-term use without any screen degradation.
According to a report from Lifehacker, the device was only shown for a very brief amount of time at SDC.
However, what we do know is that it is 7.3-inches while in tablet mode and has a third OLED screen on the side of the device that can be used while folded. While we haven’t really seen this yet, this extra screen sounds similar to a patent that had been attached to Samsung’s foldable phone several months back.
It will also be able to run up to three apps simultaneously with something that Samsung is calling a ‘Multi Active Window’.
When it comes to looks, the device itself seems quite thick, which is unsurprising considering its a first-generation foldable device. But its hard to distinguish much else at this stage.
“The Infinity Flex Display represents an entirely new mobile platform,” said Samsung’s senior vice president, Justin Denison at the conference.
“We’ve been living in a world where the size of your screen can only be as large as the device itself. We’ve added a new dimension to help you browse, watch and multitask like never before.”
[referenced url=”https://www.gizmodo.com.au/2018/11/samsung-galaxy-x-all-the-facts-and-rumours-so-far/” thumb=”https://www.gizmodo.com.au/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2018/09/samsungfoldablephone.jpg” title=”Samsung’s Foldable Phone: All The Facts And Rumours So Far [Updated]” excerpt=”DJ Koh has been at it again. After letting slip about the Note 9 before it launched, he has now also revealed some details about Samsung’s highly anticipated foldable phone — which is on track for being a world-first.
It doesn’t have an official name, but it is generally referred to as the Samsung Galaxy X. These are the details we have so far.”]
We also know that it will have a re-engineered UI called One UI, which has been designed with one-handed use in mind.
Dirty minds aside, this will apparently work by having the most relevant content appear in the bottom half of the screen as simplified icons.
And while this sounds like the kind of functionality that would be useful for when the phone is folded (eg – showing the apps you use the most in a mini screen even while folded) its primary use seems to be for when its in tablet mode. The idea is that it will make it easier to use such a big screen and access what you want, even with one hand.
Considering that a lot of 2018 phones are already too big for some people with smaller hands to navigate comfortably single handedly- this is a really interesting and relevant concept.
Lastly – despite rumours of it being called the Galaxy X or Galaxy F, there is still no word about what the device will actually be called.
While this reveal has answered a few questions we’ve been asking – it has also whet our appetite for more information.
And considering the extremely brief amount of time that it was flashed at the crowd for, we’re most likely not going to get any more significant information until CES in January 2019 – and that’s if we’re lucky.
Considering that the hall lights were purposely dimmed to protect some of the design features of the phone – it may not be ready to be properly shown off in just under two months.
Maybe Samsung will make us wait until MWC in February, but let’s hope not!
[Lifehacker, CNET]
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