Samsung retractable smartphone patent application exposed

Samsung has reportedly filed an exclusive patent for an extendable aka retractable smartphone design by the USPTO also called US Patent and Trademark Office. The design pictures reveal something like a retractable smartphone and are entirely different from the previous designs. The application was filed on February 12, 2016, and the patent was granted and published today.

Upon careful examination of the patent application, we could clearly visualize the complete design of the upcoming extendable smartphone. We can see the images in all angles clearly with rough sketches of the camera, speaker grills and much more.

We can spot two displays on the front separated by a border. You will have to retract a cross-section of the display by sliding it from the right side. The main intention of the design is to save a considerable amount of space. You can slide back the display when you are not working with the device. The display can be extended to the side to enable you to enlarge the image area.

On the rear, you can find a single camera instead of dual sensors like as seen in the Samsung Galaxy Note 8. We are also unable to see any presence of a physical home button and fingerprint sensor. There is a possibility that the fingerprint scanner will be integrated inside the display or will be replaced with an Iris scanner. We can also expect the addition of a face unlock technology as found in OnePlus 5T.

That said, the patent filing doesn’t mention the way you should slide the display. Interestingly, the patent application has mentioned the similar concept designs released previously by LG, OnePlus 3, OnePlus3T and iPhone 6.

The prototype designs have been revealed by Samsung via a patent application but it doesn’t mean that the Korea-based company will actually launch the retractable smartphone. The main aim behind the filing of the patent application is to lock the idea in place for future consumption. There are reports that Samsung will release the much-anticipated Galaxy X in 2018 but we don’t know the actual date. Will it feature a retractable design? Let’s wait and watch.