Update (03/25/2022 @ 03:25 AND): “Diamond” may not be a foldable phone. Scroll down for more information. The article as published on March 24, 2022 is preserved below.
Samsung currently offers two types of foldable smartphones as part of its Galaxy Z Fold and Galaxy Z Flip lineups. But the company plans to launch a third type of foldable device this year. Samsung is rumored to be working on a new foldable phone with a unique form factor, which should hit shelves in the second half of 2022.
Reliable tipster Ice Universe, which has a good track record of sharing information about upcoming Samsung products, claims that Samsung’s third foldable device is currently in development. The phone is codenamed “Diamond” internally, and it’s expected to hit consumers in the second half of this year.
BREAK:
Samsung’s mysterious third foldable device is slated for release in the second half.
Code name “Diamond”— Ice Universe (@UniverseIce) March 24, 2022
Additionally, Ice Universe has shared an image of some Samsung executives with the upcoming smartphone. While the image doesn’t give us a clear look at the device, it does reveal that the phone will have a unique form factor. Unlike the Galaxy Z Fold 3 or Galaxy Z Flip 3, the upcoming Samsung foldable doesn’t appear to have a hinge. This leads us to believe it might feature a roll-up screen. Ice Universe also says the phone has “a high probability of being a scrolling phone”, further fueling speculation.
It has a high probability of being a scrolling screen phone😊 pic.twitter.com/X0yI1b2Vdi
— Ice Universe (@UniverseIce) March 24, 2022
It’s worth noting that during its Q4 2020 earnings call early last year, Samsung shared plans to release sliding displays in 2021. Then, during Display Week 2021 in May, Samsung introduced a smartphone concept with a rollable/sliding OLED screen. Although the company didn’t release a rollable screen smartphone last year, the new rumor suggests that Samsung might finally be ready to bring the innovative display solution to market.
Samsung’s next rollable screen smartphone could feature the same design as OPPO’s 2021 OPPO X concept smartphone. If so, the phone will likely feature a motorized component that expands and contracts the roll-up screen based on users’ needs.
Update: Device codenamed “Diamond” may not be foldable
In a recent tweet, DSCC’s Ross Young revealed that Samsung’s next device codenamed “Diamond” is the Galaxy S23 and not a third foldable. Young further claims that Samsung may not release a third foldable device this year.
We hear Samsung’s Project Diamond is the S23… Doesn’t look like a third foldable device this year. But now we know what S23 is called internally…
— Ross Young (@DSCCRoss) March 24, 2022
Featured Image: Samsung Rollable Screen Concept