Skip to main content

Samsung just teased the future of folding smartphones at CES 2023

Samsung is unveiling its next generation of both foldable and slidable products at CES 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. This new technology, dubbed Flex Hybrid, combines two innovative new smartphone display technologies into a single product.

So how would this Flex Hybrid display work? Basically, the left side of the display will feature the foldable aspect, while the slidable technology is on the right side. With both folding and sliding technologies together, users can utilize a 10.5-inch display in a 4:3 aspect ratio or a 12.4-inch larger screen in a 16:10 ratio.

Samsung Flex Hybrid smartphone display open
Samsung

Samsung also has a 17-inch slideable display that was previewed in September at Intel Innovation 2022, which will be making its first public appearance at CES 2023.

There are two concepts for this large-screen slidable display: Flex Slidable Solo and Flex Slidable Duet. The Solo can only expand in one direction, while the Duet can expand the display in both directions. When this display is not expanded, it is about 13 to 14 inches, which is quite portable, but expands all the way out to 17.3 inches — making it a great tool for multitasking, playing games, or watching movies and shows.

Samsung Slidable Flex Duet display
Samsung

It would be interesting to see how Samsung uses this new Flexible Hybrid tech in its current lineup of foldables, including the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold and Galaxy Z Flip series. For the Fold, incorporating the Duet concept and allowing users to expand the display in both directions for an even larger screen would turn it into more of a tablet than before, which could mean one could be even more productive, or see more of a scene at once when watching media or playing games.

As far as the Flip, it could have a smaller, more compact size once folded up or even opened, and users can expand it as they need. I personally wish my Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 was a little shorter so I can use it with one hand (it’s currently too tall and narrow), so perhaps incorporating sliding tech into it can make everyone happy.

Either way, it’s exciting to see this new Flex Hybrid tech make its debut at CES 2023 and how it will affect consumer foldables down the road.

Editors' Recommendations

Christine Romero-Chan
Christine Romero-Chan has been writing about technology, specifically Apple, for over a decade. She graduated from California…
The Galaxy Z Flip 5 may get a feature we’ve never seen before
Render of the Galaxy Z Flip 5 with two cover screens.

As we get closer to the launch of the Galaxy Z Flip 5, details have started surfacing more regularly. In February, we learned that the cover display will be much larger than the one found on the Galaxy Z Flip 4. Now, rumors seem to suggest that the new foldable will be the first of its kind sporting two discrete cover displays.

According to renders shared in a recent video by mobile insider SuperRoader, the Galaxy Z Flip 5's dual cover screens will greatly differentiate the foldable from the rest of its kind. The two screens are vastly different in size, and seem to serve two distinct functions.

Read more
Why the $450 Samsung Galaxy A54 may be 2023’s most savvy smartphone buy
The green and purple Galaxy A54's camera modules.

-Samsung’s Galaxy A Series has long been a great choice for people who want Galaxy S Series style without the S Series price. The Galaxy A54 and Galaxy A34 are the latest, and Samsung isn’t being shy about giving these phones the latest flagship look.

Even better news is that the A54 continues to provide a great screen, long battery life, a decent camera, and solid everyday features you’ll love — all for a value-driven price. Could the new Galaxy A54 phone be 2023’s savviest smartphone buys? I tried it out for a short time to find out.
Getting the Awesome colors right

Read more
It’s finally happening — OnePlus will release a folding phone this year
The Oppo Find N2's open screen.

OnePlus just announced during its “From Fast & Smooth to Beyond” panel at MWC 2023 that it will be launching its first foldable smartphone this year. While OnePlus launched the OnePlus 11 earlier this month, it has revealed plans for its first foldable smartphone in the second half of 2023.

“Our first foldable phone will have the signature OnePlus fast and smooth experience. It must be a flagship phone that doesn’t settle because of its folding form, in terms of industrial design, mechanical technology, and other aspects. We want to launch a device that aims to be at the pinnacle experience of today’s foldable market.” said Kinder Liu, President, and COO of OnePlus, at the event.

Read more