Samsung might release foldable screen device within the year

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A new type of foldable smartphone from Samsung may get revealed before the end of 2018.

The CEO of the Korean manufacturer, DJ Koh, said they plan to reveal a new device with a foldable screen before the year ends, as reported by CNBC.

More than just a tablet-like device, Koh hinted that the new smartphone will have unique features to differentiate itself from standard smartphones and their larger tablet counterparts.

“Every device, every feature, every innovation should have a meaningful message to our end customer. So when the end customer uses it, (they think) ‘wow, this is the reason Samsung made it’,” said Koh at the IFA 2018 consumer electronics and home appliances trade show in Berlin, which started in Aug. 31 and will run until Sept. 5.

The mysterious foldable device, previously codenamed “Valley,” was mentioned on a report by The Wall Street Journal last July. It suggested the company had been working on the OLED-based technology for several years. The advances in OLED technology, which the smartphone giant currently has a lead in terms of maturity, suggest a single-screen device with a flexible and foldable display.

With standard, single-screen smartphone technology coming to a plateau with end-to-end screens, and notch or notchless designs, it would make sense for the Korean manufacturer to introduce a new kind of smartphones for consumers to fawn over. However, it will still come down to whether consumers can afford it and if they think it’s worth the price. Alfred Bayle/JB

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