Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Samsung Rumored to Launch Fully Bendable Smartphones in 2017
- Thread starter MacRumors
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Surely a better solution to what you describe is to make calls, check notifications, send texts using your Smart Watch?Feel free to stick with literally as long as you like.Couple of things. 1. You do realize the video is nearly 4 years old right? I'm going to go out on a limb and say the design of the rumored hybrid device would reflect Samsung's current design language. We'll disagree on big chunk of hardware since the guy literally<-- tee hee -- put it in a shirt pocket. 2. Why would you feel compelled to always unfold it? Making a call, checking notifications, sending a text - use the small screen. Watching a movie/video, working on a document, playing games - larger screen. Pretty simple. At least to me it is. 3. The scenarios you built to support your narrative are, honestly, pretty shaky. Cumbersome Based on what exactly? Couldn't have been anything in the video. Always want to open to big screen. Why exactly? To check a notification, answer/make a call, or read/reply to a text.
The device would clearly be a marketed as a hybrid device that eliminates the need for a phone and a tablet. BTW - dual screen with eInk? Already been done.
THIS is why many people have no patience with the idea --- it's predicated on a very particular model of the world, and that's a model that's already falling apart (or, if you prefer, growing richer).
You think the future is the world of today, with today's devices doing "more stuff". But Apple doesn't make compromise devices: they don't make Surface's, and they won't make phone/tablet/eReader hybrids. Apple's solution to "lightweight computing" is the Apple Watch, it is not a "lightweight mode for your iPhone".
I'm not arguing whether Apple has been going thinner ... just pointing out there is a practical reason. In addition to smaller, and lighter -- a very practical consideration for mobile devices -- now you can include flexible. Yet another very important addition to mobile devices, and one with a very practical application in that a small, light device can open up to the same display dimensions as an iPad.
You say Macs are getting thinner, but that's not really true. iMacs have gotten thinner, but again, it makes for a better-looking display. Flat screen TVs are getting thinner every year too ... are you going to blame that on Apple, or the desire for customers to diminish the presence of the electronics in their homes? Mac mini's haven't really gotten a lot thinner. And the Mac Pro is anything but thin.
What's getting thinner ... and therefore smaller, and most importantly LIGHTER ... are the mobile devices. And this is the right direction for such things. I hope that in a decade an iPhone is as thin and light as a credit card, with a flexible screen that unfolds when I really need it, and not force me to carry around a Phablet, or wear extra gear if I don't want to. But none of that will be possible unless Apple pushes the envelope now.
A comment like yours is the reason I like MR. Well thought out and makes sense for a certain type of user. Kudos. I'm not that type of user, but well thought out nonetheless. I come from an opposite direction. A device like this rumored Samsung hybrid seems to be a better solution. In my use case, a smartwatch would only be useful for glancing at notifications. The screen's too small for texting and I'm not a fan of Siri. Any halfway in depth activity would require the phone. I'd abhore making a call on a watch because of speakerphone. That would necessitate a BT headset. So by my estimation, I could have 1 device that functions as a phone and a tablet or I could have 3 (watch, phone, and tablet) that perform the same function. 3 devices doesn't seem like a better solution to me.
We differ on our opinion of what Apple makes as well. No compromises? The Apple Watch is the definition of a compromised device. What Apple released was an iPhone accessory, not a stand alone device. No Surface type device? The iPad Pro unquestionably Apple's answer to the Surface line. What did Tim Cook call it? A tablet that can replace your computer? The new Macbook. 1 port and a 480p camera. Both compromises that are guaranteed to be rectified in the next iteration.
Our differences in opinion highlight that you and I have different use cases. That's not to say either one of us is right or wrong. We just seem to use and think about products differently. Ain't nothin' wrong with that.
And no one cares.
What consumers do care about is who implements an idea first in a manner that actually results in a positive user experience for the end user. Not releasing a gimmick for gimmick's sake.
Samsung has had some hits, but generally more misses, and I suppose it's great that they are now embracing their "throws everything against the wall and see what sticks" reputation. Gives them to leeway to flood the market with all manner of products, see which ones work and iterate on those.
I saw this video 2 years ago.dont know why macrumors decided to make a headline about it now.
Congrats, you are the king of sarcasm. That said, really, how can a folding screen be of much use when everything else absolutely cannot flex? The two likely configurations are a clamshell/flip-phone with the electronics on the backside of each shell OR all the electronics at one end with the screen flopping freely like a Jordan tongue. The clamshell style might seem more likely but it won't be able to close too tightly because even flexible screens cannot be folded (i.e. bulky). The floppy screen configuration would be absolutely awkward to operate. The technology to make a flexible phone practical just isn't there yet.Oh my gosh - you're right. I am sure they haven't even thought about that. I am sure that they've been working on the screen with no consideration to batteries and components for the rest of the phone. You should totally call them!
I've never seen any material that could be bent repeatedly and not crease at the bend. Even simple materials let alone a more complex material like a screen. What would this look like after you've opened and closed it a few times? I'm skeptical that this is feasible.
Once again, bendable displays, huh?
So, it's apparently been long enough since the last time that technology was "unveiled." I guess, we're all supposed to get excited about it again?
Bendable displays has become the Duke Nukem Forever of hardware tech. It may arrive someday but for now, it's a joke that gets rolled out every couple years for god-only-knows what reason.
Really? You do realize that bendable displays have made headlines about a dozen times over the last decade, right? It's the worst example of vaporware ever at this point. This is far from "thinking different."
Have you used a Samsung bendable display lately? Do you own one? Samsung has done nothing yet other than the same as so many tech companies do—showing impressive looking videos of technology that they're nowhere near shipping.
The reason people get excited when Apple unveils this kind of thing and the reason Apple gets so much credit for these "innovations" is because when they show these kinds of things off, it's a live demo followed by a release date.
So, it's apparently been long enough since the last time that technology was "unveiled." I guess, we're all supposed to get excited about it again?
Bendable displays has become the Duke Nukem Forever of hardware tech. It may arrive someday but for now, it's a joke that gets rolled out every couple years for god-only-knows what reason.
Really? You do realize that bendable displays have made headlines about a dozen times over the last decade, right? It's the worst example of vaporware ever at this point. This is far from "thinking different."
Have you used a Samsung bendable display lately? Do you own one? Samsung has done nothing yet other than the same as so many tech companies do—showing impressive looking videos of technology that they're nowhere near shipping.
The reason people get excited when Apple unveils this kind of thing and the reason Apple gets so much credit for these "innovations" is because when they show these kinds of things off, it's a live demo followed by a release date.
Last edited:
You're joking but its a strong possibility apple steals it and makes it right.
Smartphone maker and display manufacturer Samsung is believed to launch a pair of smartphones in early 2017, each with a bendable OLED display. According to people familiar with the smartphones' development (via Bloomberg), the two devices could be unveiled as early as Q1 2017 -- potentially at Mobile World Congress in February -- and come in two different sizes, similar to that of the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus.
Bendable smartphone mockup by Samsung
One phone would have a 5-inch screen when used in a normal handset fashion, and could then be opened to a tablet size that's "as large as 8 inches." The smaller alternative is estimated to be sized around a traditional modern 5-inch smartphone, but users would have the ability to fold it in half "like a cosmetic compact" to easily fit it into bags and pockets.
Codenamed "Project Valley," the bendable smartphones won't be Samsung's new flagship devices, and are believed to be angled more as an experiment by the company to test the waters of user response to bendable screens. Because of this, the two new handhelds also won't fall under the Galaxy S line of phones currently running by Samsung, but will be newly named entries in its collection of smartphones.
While not bendable, Apple's 2017 iPhone is expected to pack in a curved OLED display with an edge-to-edge, bezel-free design, similar to that of Samsung's Galaxy S7 smartphone. Overall, Apple's "iPhone 8" is expected to be a huge update year for the company's smartphone, following 2016's internals-focused upgrade, so it'll be interesting to see how the the two handhelds fare against each other when they launch.
Article Link: Samsung Rumored to Launch Fully Bendable Smartphones in 2017
This is truly insane. I'd switch if this works smoothly.
A lot of Apple knocks on here, but I'd imagine they would HAVE to release something within the year once Samsung is out with it.
Dropping 16GB as standard or introducing a new color won't be revolutionary enough haha
Why does Apple have to suddenly make display panels? The division of Samsung that makes this != Samsung mobile. Apple is not in the display panel business either. You know Apple can just buy these if it works, from Samsung, right? In fact, Apple is already buying components from Samsung.
Sure, just like how we read predictions of amazing Apple Watch medical sensors every year, and are supposed to get excited all over again
Yeah, it's taking a while. One reason it constantly makes news is that Samsung internal documents usually show possible foldable phones at the end of each year's product timeline chart. This hopefulness starts an external rumor every time.
The other reason it makes news, of course, is because many people love the idea.
It's still about thinking different. Their patent applications show how much effort they're putting into trying to make the idea workable.
True, Apple waits to show what they're working on, until they can sell it. Which is one way to do things.
Another way is to actually let people know what you're working on, unlike Cook's constant promising of an intangible "something" to come.
Some people love surprises. Others of us would love to know what each company is working on.
Last edited:
So you don't see a need for a tablet? For me that's the benefit, having a tablet that I can fold and put in my pocket, and only carrying one device. Smartwatches are terrible for the functions you put out there in my experience. The day you can browse the internet on a smartwatch, well then let me know and I'll be first in line to buy one.
BTW Apple is the epitome of compromise. You mention the Surface as a compromise, but the real compromise is iOS and ipads. Apple is a unique company because they can ignore the future and still make a boatload of money, like they did with phablets. IMO foldable phones will become ubiquitous, exactly how smartphones are now. Certainly not the first generation though, the first gen will be clunky, thick, have poor battery life and questionable functionality. I don't blame Apple for doing what they do, sitting back and letting the market mature then they copy full force and release a polished product, they are a smart company.
I do see foldable screens AND smartwatches working together and being popular, but they are both in the infancy stage.
What are you talking about mate, they are the tech provider of quite everyone. Like their phones or not, but making chips, panels... they are the best