A recent patent shows how Samsung's long-awaited Galaxy X foldable smartphone might work - and there's even a design that folds into thirds

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A recent patent shows how Samsung's long-awaited Galaxy X foldable smartphone might work - and there's even a design that folds into thirds

samsung foldable galaxy x

US Patent and Trademark Office

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There's long been talk about a foldable smartphone from Samsung, but now there's something tangible that brings a foldable smartphone closer to reality.

On May 2, Samsung was granted multiple patents for its foldable smartphone design and the way it'll work.

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Samsung's latest patents show that the company is experimenting with a smartphone that can fold into thirds - not just a smartphone that can fold in half, as was originally rumored.

Being granted the patents isn't a guarantee that Samsung is making these devices. Many patented devices never see the light of day. Plus, there would surely be several difficulties for Samsung to overcome with a foldable smartphone.

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But Samsung has clearly been thinking about and researching the concept, and there's always the chance the design ends up in a real product.

Check out Samsung's ideas for making foldable smartphones:

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At first glance, Samsung's foldable smartphone will supposedly look like any other smartphone.

At first glance, Samsung's foldable smartphone will supposedly look like any other smartphone.

It'll fold right down the middle of the display.

It'll fold right down the middle of the display.
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You could either have the phone in a split-screen setting, with one app taking up half the display and something else on the other half...

You could either have the phone in a split-screen setting, with one app taking up half the display and something else on the other half...

... Or fill up the entire display with a single app.

... Or fill up the entire display with a single app.
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And once you're done with it, you can fold it up.

And once you're done with it, you can fold it up.

And you're left with a neat, folded smartphone.

And you're left with a neat, folded smartphone.
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A "trifold" smartphone was also detailed in the patents, which looks a lot longer than the regular foldable design.

A "trifold" smartphone was also detailed in the patents, which looks a lot longer than the regular foldable design.

The trifold design can also fold itself.

The trifold design can also fold itself.
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You can open up a single fold of the smartphone to reveal a third of the display, perhaps to quickly check a notification or message.

You can open up a single fold of the smartphone to reveal a third of the display, perhaps to quickly check a notification or message.

The trifold design can be folded so it can support itself and show two of the three display sections.

The trifold design can be folded so it can support itself and show two of the three display sections.
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Or it can be folded into a triangular shape to show you a single section of the foldable display while upright.

Or it can be folded into a triangular shape to show you a single section of the foldable display while upright.

Check out the ZTE Axon M, a real-life foldable smartphone with two full-size screen that you can actually buy today.

Check out the ZTE Axon M, a real-life foldable smartphone with two full-size screen that you can actually buy today.

The ZTE Axon M is a thing of wonder, and you can buy it today if you want. But you might not actually want to buy it, as it is fairly bulky, and it's not the most powerful device.

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