Samsung Galaxy Z Fold (Tri-fold) with magnetic S Pen

Samsung is strongly committed to its foldable smartphone line-up. In the summer of 2021, both the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 as the Galaxy Z Fold 3 expected. For a moment it was thought that Samsung also had one double foldable phone would release, this so-called tri-fold smartphone would initially be scheduled for the end of 2021. Although the latter model seems to have been postponed, Samsung is still busy developing new foldable phone models in the background.

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You must know the Xiaomi foldable smartphone still that was shown at the beginning of 2019, as the very first smartphone with a double folding line. Not long after that, Samsung issued a similar one foldable phone fixed. The device that Samsung has now patented shows many similarities with this folding phone in terms of design, although Samsung has some extra ideas in store this time.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold with inward or outward folding display

This is a patent that was applied for in September 2020 by Samsung Electronics at the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). The documentation entitled ‘Foldable electronic device including electronic pen’ was approved and released today, April 22, 2021.

In the 52-page documentation, a Samsung foldable smartphone which consists of three display parts – also referred to by Samsung as a ‘multi-foldable device’. The middle part of the screen is twice the size of the other two parts, so you can easily open and close the device.

Samsung may decide to use an outward folding screen, as was the case with Xiaomi’s model. As an alternative, there is also talk of an inwardly folding screen, so that the display remains extra well protected when you carry the device with you. The latter will be more difficult to realize, because the screen will then have to be bent at a much sharper angle. Both design variants are shown in the patent images.

Special is not only the design of this foldable telephone. Samsung has also paid extra attention to the famous S Pen with this model. This stylus pen has been a hallmark of the Galaxy Note series. At the beginning of this year, the Galaxy S21 Ultra equipped with S Pen support, as the first S-series smartphone from Samsung. It is also expected that the Galaxy Z Fold 3 foldable smartphone, which is expected mid-year, will support Samsung’s famous stylus pen.

Samsung Z Fold met S Pen die is magnetically clamped

Some time ago, Samsung already patented one foldable smartphone with S Pen compartment. This time, however, the device is not provided with a compartment. Still, it is possible to store the stylus pen. This can be done by clamping the electronic pen between the two slamming display parts, the stylus is held in place by means of magnets and a small recess on both sides of the device.

The magnets have an additional function, as this allows the device to detect the magnetic force of the S Pen. As soon as the smartphone recognizes that the stylus is properly clamped and the device is fully folded, the High-Speed ​​Charge mode is switched on, after which the pen is automatically charged at a high rate. When the device is not fully folded, but the S Pen does make contact with the smartphone, the standard Charge mode is switched on, after which the pen is charged wirelessly.

This solution has several advantages. Finally, Samsung does not have to reserve valuable space in the housing in this way, while still offering the possibility to safely store the stylus. Don’t want to take the S Pen with you? Thanks to the two unique hinges, which can bend at multiple points, it is also possible to fold the device completely without clamping the S Pen in between – this is illustrated in the image above. Thus, the user retains complete freedom in the use of this smartphone.

For Samsung, it has another advantage, because it allows the manufacturer to choose to offer the stylus exclusively as an optional accessory – just as is the case with the Galaxy S21 Ultra. As a result, a lower suggested retail price can be used and users themselves retain the choice whether or not they see sufficient added value in the S Pen. Those who do not want to invest in an S Pen do not have to look at an empty, aimless compartment.

Remarkably, Samsung has also equipped this folding phone with a double punch-hole selfie camera. Last week, LetsGoDigital reported on a Galaxy Z Flip design, including one dual punch-hole camera was applied. In addition to two cameras, two sensors are also placed under the screen – such as a proximity sensor, a light sensor and / or a fingerprint sensor.

In addition, the patent documentation mentions a piezoelectric speaker, which is placed under the flexible screen. Finally, a horizontally designed dual camera with flash is visible on the back of the device. Samsung could also decide to change the number of lenses.

It will certainly take some time before Samsung will introduce its first tri-fold smartphone. Nevertheless, this patent shows once again how far the company is in developing such foldable models and what solutions Samsung has in mind for the S Pen.

View the documentation of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold (Tri-Fold) met S Pen.

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