Samsung Display has reportedly developed a 360-degree rotating display. According to a report, the foldable display prototype, which debuted at the 2023 Consumer Electronics Show (CES), can be folded to a full 360-degree range in either direction. Samsung Display (a Samsung subsidiary that makes its displays) calls it the “flex in and out” display, and while it’s not a new form factor when it comes to foldable devices, it certainly has some interesting use cases. Samsung presented several display prototypes at CES 2023, including a new flex hybrid display that can be folded and moved at the same time.
according to a report Samsung recently showed off this prototype display in The Veranda CES 2023. As the name aptly describes, the “Flex in and out” display can be folded both inwards and outwards. The display can open like a newspaper or fold outwards and wrap around the device like a book cover.
The report claims that the displayed display also uses the waterdrop hinge design, which allows for the fold in and out mechanism. This new hinge, which holds the display in a teardrop shape when folded, is quite different from the one currently in use Samsung‘s outgoing Galaxy Fold models. The brand claims that the new hinge design not only leaves a much less visible crease, but will also help reduce stress on the foldable display, which in theory should help with long-term reliability.
The “Flex in and out” display also seems to be attached to a functional device with a software interface and is very similar in appearance to the Galaxy Fold models currently available. So it’s possible that Samsung will bring it to the upcoming Galaxy Fold model, which traditionally should have been announced in August this year. The Verge mentions that Samsung presented a similar display at a previous event in Korea, but with multiple inner and outer folds.
A dual-function fold-in/out display primarily reduces the need for a second external display, which is often used when the device is folded. This is possible because the internal display can be flipped out to be used as an external display, allowing the device to be placed with one side on a surface such as a table. Although this design has been experimented with in the past, it was shot down mainly because foldable displays at the time weren’t durable once they were exposed. If Samsung continues with this new hinge and foldable display for its next Fold model, it will reduce the need for a secondary external display unless Samsung expects the user to keep the display folded inward and protected by two outer clamshells, when it is in pockets or in storage.
