Skip to main content

Samsung trademarks ‘Hideaway Hinge’ — a clue to next-gen foldable

Samsung’s learned a lot of lessons from its first foldable phone, the Galaxy Fold. And some of these improvements are coming down the pipe in the company’s next foldable smartphone, which could have a so-called “Hideaway Hinge.”

LetsGoDigital reports that Samsung Electronics filed a European trademark application on Monday, December 2, for the Hideaway Hinge name. According to LetsGoDigital, the application’s description says, “smartphones; tablet computers’ hung in the form of components for smartphones and tablets.”

Courtesy: Samsung

Critics of Samsung’s Galaxy Fold smartphone who were given the phone to review before the official launch found several hardware issues that caused Samsung to recall the phone and postpone the launch. Digital Trends never had problems with our edition of the phone, but some users were complaining about blacked-out screens.

Recommended Videos

The new Hideaway Hinge could be key to help Samsung avoid similar issues with its next foldable device. It would also further confirm earlier rumors that Samsung’s next foldable phone will fold downward like a clamshell instead of opening up sideways into a larger tablet.

Please enable Javascript to view this content

In September, Bloomberg reported that Samsung was working on a foldable flip phone, in which the screen would be 6.7 inches and would fold into a compact square. The new phone is said to include a selfie camera on the inner display, as well as two cameras on the outside. Since the phone would fold downward instead of inward, it would be the same shape as any other smartphone, which would allow Android apps to run in their normal state instead of following the current Samsung Galaxy Fold’s adapted-dimension displays.

Motorola has already beaten Samsung to the flip phone smartphone design with the new Motorola Razr announced last month. Digital Trends pit Motorola’s flippable smartphone against the Galaxy Fold in a feature comparison, and while full reviews aren’t out yet, as the phone will launch in early January, it’s clear the new Razr is more physically attractive in its design, while the Samsung Galaxy Fold beat out its foldable competitor in display, camera, and special features.

Digital Trends reached out to Samsung to comment on the Hideaway Hinge trademark, and we’ll update this story if we hear back.

Allison Matyus
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Allison Matyus is a general news reporter at Digital Trends. She covers any and all tech news, including issues around social…
5 phones you should buy instead of the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold
A person holding the open Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold.

This was a big year for Google thanks to the arrival of the Pixel 9 lineup. Not only did we get the return of the XL size, but Google also launched the second generation of its foldable, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold.

Though it was late to the foldable game, Google’s second iteration of a folding phone is a huge improvement over the original Google Pixel Fold. It’s thinner, opens flat without issue, is ergonomic, and has a fantastic inner screen and a redesigned camera module. It just feels great overall.

Read more
The Galaxy Z Flip 7’s biggest change may be hidden inside the phone
A person putting the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 in their pocket.

Significant changes may be on the horizon for Samsung’s upcoming foldable handsets next year. Once again, we’re hearing that the company intends to use in-house chips for two foldable devices set to launch in 2025. If this is accurate, it would be groundbreaking news.

Since their initial model launches, Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold and Galaxy Z Flip have included Qualcomm chips. For example, the current Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Galaxy Z Flip 6 have a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. If Samsung stuck with tradition, the 2025 Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Galaxy Z Flip 7 would include a Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset — the chip we expect to see in Samsung’s Galaxy S25 lineup, which should be announced in the coming weeks.

Read more
The Motorola Razr Plus just got a striking new color
The Motorola Razr Plus 2024 in Mocha Mousse.

Are you ready to extend your perception of the color brown? That's exactly what Motorola promises will happen when you lay your eyes on the new color option for the Motorola Razr Plus 2024, now available in the 2025 Pantone Color of the Year. In addition to the Razr Plus 2024, the rich mocha is also available for the Motorola Edge 50 neo in markets where it is available.

"Mocha Mousse reinforces the importance of savoring the moment—a reminder to indulge in life’s simple pleasures. Mocha Mousse also inspired us to create a new soft inlay composed of coffee grounds. Its warm and comforting essence embodied the sensory nature of this shade," said Ruben Castano, VP of customer experience and design at Motorola.

Read more