Samsung Galaxy X: What you need to know about Samsung’s foldable phone
Everything you need to know about the Samsung Galaxy X
(Update: July 30, 2017): The Samsung Galaxy Note 8 is nearly upon us, but that doesn’t mean Samsung Galaxy X rumours have dried up.
The latest news is that a mysterious Samsung smartphone – model number SM-G888N0 – has been certified by Bluetooth SIG, a certification body for Bluetooth devices. It’s widely speculated that this phone may in fact be the long-rumoured Samsung Galaxy X.
Rumours of a mysterious foldable smartphone called the Samsung Galaxy X are circulating. But what is it? Is it even real? When might you be able to buy it?
From the latest news and rumours to specs, release date and pricing gossip, our guide reveals all.
Samsung Galaxy X Release Date: What is it, and when does it come out?
For years, we’ve heard talk of a foldable smartphone being built by Samsung. But the past few weeks has seen these rumours up in frequency.
The most recent rumours refer to a device known as the Samsung Galaxy X, although details are still thin on the ground. The working theory is that Samsung has finally managed to manufacture a foldable phone display, and is working on prototype devices to unveil later in 2017.
The story of the Samsung Galaxy X goes back years, so read on for a full account of Samsung’s efforts in the foldable phone space.
Alternatively, here’s a quick breakdown of Galaxy X news and rumours:
- Samsung Galaxy X Release Date: Recent rumours suggest that foldable handsets built by Samsung will be ready by the end of 2017, and that prototypes are already well into development. However, there’s no firm release date for the supposed Galaxy X smartphone.
- Samsung Galaxy X Design and Specs: The main rumour is that the phone will fold in some way, potentially using a flexible OLED panel and some kind of segmented design. This design could allow the handset to switch between smartphone and tablet form factors, and perhaps even a wearable option, too. As far as specs go, rumours are thin on the ground – but we’d expect something akin to what we’ve seen from the Samsung Galaxy S8 in terms of hardware.
- Samsung Galaxy X Price: Considering that Samsung is rumoured to be limiting the initial run of Galaxy X smartphones, it’s likely that the phone would be expensive. That’s almost certainly guaranteed given the likelihood of increased hardware costs, plus the fact that the recently launched Galaxy S8 starts from £689 in the UK. Of course, we’re not even sure the Galaxy X phone exists at this point, so speculating on price is very difficult at this stage.
Samsung Galaxy X History – 2011
An early prototype
On May 12, 2011, researchers from South Korea’s Samsung Advanced Institute of Technology (SAIT) revealed that they had designed and built a prototype foldable device.
This prototype featured a display that could be folded in half without resulting in a visible crease in the middle, by using advanced AMOLED screen technology. During tests, the researchers found that brightness at the hinge decreased by just 6% after 100,000 folding/unfolding cycles.
Speaking to Phys.org at the time, HongShik Shim, a researcher at SAIT, said: “Our method has the advantages that mature, high-quality AMOLED display panels already exist. But for real commercialisation, some new processes and new materials must be developed, which takes about 1-2 years.”
Samsung’s concept revealed
Then in December, a video produced by Samsung was posted to YouTube, which depicted a flexible Samsung AMOLED device.
In the video, the device looks just like a thin film of plastic, but it works like a smartphone or tablet, running apps and making video calls. It’s a great example of just how far back Samsung’s foldable phone ambitions stretch.
Check it out in the video below.
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