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

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.

Recommended Videos

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

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 has been writing about technology, specifically Apple, for over a decade. She graduated from California…
Samsung’s next folding phone could be cheaper than we thought

the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 (from left) Galaxy Z Fold 5, and Galaxy Z Flip 5 Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

It increasingly seems likely that Samsung’s foldable phone strategy is aiming for a lower price bracket. Right now, a taste of Galaxy foldables will cost you a minimum of $1,000. However, an upcoming entry-level foldable phone might bring that barrier down to just $800.

Read more
These Samsung phones are getting a big update this month

We all love getting a big software update on our phones, and if you bought a Samsung phone within the last year or so, you should have one coming your way very soon.

Last month, Samsung announced plans to release its One UI 6.1 update — which includes its new Galaxy AI features — to a variety of its 2023 smartphones. Samsung said the update was coming in March, but we're close to halfway through the month, and there had been no update on One UI 6.1 since. Thankfully, it looks like the update is still on track for a timely release.

Read more
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6: news, rumored price, release date, and more

In the half-decade we've had folding phones, they have operated at opposite ends of the spectrum. One side wants to maximize power and productivity with tablet-like foldables, while the other wants to make your phone as minimalistic as possible. Samsung caters to both of these groups with its Galaxy Z Fold and Z Flip series, and it’s had five years of experience in that department.

We’re still a few months away from both the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Z Flip 6, but the rumor mill is steadily churning so far. Here’s what we know about the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 so far.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6: release date

Read more