Highlights
- Samsung’s new phone display expands vertically from 16:9 to 21:9.
- Samsung’s expandable phone does not use a central hinge.
- The new expandable phone could debut in 2027 or 2028 under the Galaxy Z Slide or Z Roll moniker.
Samsung is reportedly developing a new smartphone with a display that can extend vertically. As per the details from Ice Universe, Samsung is working on a motorised device that extends the screen from a regular 16:9 aspect ratio to a taller 21:9 layout. That means at any time throughout the day you may choose between a broader normal phone format and a taller cinematic screen.
Foldables only have a single central hinge, but this mechanism provides more screen space via internal motors and sliding tracks. However, creating this prototype will be a big challenge for Samsung, especially in terms of internal capacity and battery life. The display requires a lot of power, but the battery can only contain so much, especially with the space taken up by the rolling motors and gear tracks that would otherwise be reserved for a bigger battery.
How Samsung’s Expandable Display Phone Could Work
Samsung’s proposed expandable display
Samsung’s expandable phone is based on a flexible display panel hidden within the body of the device, in comparison to traditional smartphones that have fixed displays. When activated, a motorised sliding track unrolls the hidden part of the display upwards, increasing the physical height of the panel without deploying a hinge.
Samsung Expandable Phone vs Rollable and Foldable Smartphones
Foldable, rollable and expandable screens provide flexible displays, but with different mechanical techniques and user concepts. The central hinge enables foldable screens to open and shut two rigid parts of a device like a book, e.g., the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8. Rollable displays unroll a flexible screen panel housed within the chassis, making the phone bigger or taller. Most rollable proposals, however, include a single, continuous expansion, mainly to turn a phone into a tablet-sized canvas.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8
The expandable display is designed to follow aspect ratios, so it can seamlessly change between certain ratios, like 16:9 for texting or app navigation, and 21:9 for cinematic widescreen viewing.
What to Expect From Samsung’s Expandable Display Technology
Samsung’s expanded display technology promises a crease-free viewing experience, with more screen space only when required. The screen also fits well in your hand while it is closed, so it is easy to do things like send messages or take calls. It’s especially impressive when stretched to 21:9 for ultrawide viewing of widescreen movies, endless social media scrolling or vertical split-screen multitasking.
Samsung Expandable Display Phone: Expected Launch Date
There is no official release date for Samsung’s expandable phone yet, but recent patent filings and reports suggest its release in the next few years, most probably in 2027 or 2028, as the Galaxy Z Slide or Galaxy Z Roll.
