Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. is developing a double-folding smartphone as part of its efforts to grow its share of the high-end handset market, according to a new report.

Financial newspaper Nikkei Asia today cited sources as saying that the phone is one of three foldable devices Samsung could debut this year. The company is also said to be preparing successors to the Galaxy Z Flip and Galaxy Z Fold 2 (pictured). The former unfolds vertically like a flip phone, while the latter has a pair of displays that can open and close horizontally like a book.

Today’s report didn’t go into much detail about how the design of the double-folding phone might differ from Samsung’s existing entries into the category. But one piece of information the sources did divulge is that the device will have a screen aspect ratio of around 16:9 or 18:9, in line with conventional smartphones. That suggests the device will be wider than the flip phone-like Galaxy Z Flip but narrower than the Galaxy Z Fold, which have aspect ratios of 21.5:9 and 22.5:18, respectively.

One of the sources said the motivation behind the design is better app compatibility. Because of their unusual aspect ratios, the Galaxy Z Flip and Galaxy Z Fold in some cases require Android developers to modify their apps’ interfaces. A more traditional aspect ratio would eliminate that requirement, thereby potentially giving consumers access to more services that can take full advantage of the foldable screen.

A double-folding design also implies at least two hinges and three display panels. As a result, it’s possible the device will be larger than either the Galaxy Z Flip or Galaxy Z Fold, which fold once with the help of a single hinge. Samsung might also introduce specialized interface features to help users make the most of the unique device configuration, as it did when it launched the Galaxy Z Flip last year. 

The double-folding smartphone is expected to make its debut as soon as the end of 2021. Samsung is reportedly planning to introduce the new Galaxy Z Flip and Galaxy Z Fold versions this year as well.

The company is said to have set a goal of boosting foldable device shipments to more than 10 million units annually, a goal that bringing three new devices to market could advance.

The devices could also have a positive effect on the profit margins of the company’s mobile division. Both the Galaxy Z Flip and the Galaxy Z Fold are priced higher than Samsung’s flagship conventional smartphone, the Galaxy S20 Ultra. The double-folding device can be potentially expected to follow the same pattern given its more complex design.  

Photo: Samsung