Samsung to launch foldable phone 'early next year'

Samsung has been teasing the foldable phone concept for a while (it first revealed a foldable prototype called Youm as far back as 2013) - and it’s not the only one, with Apple and LG also rumoured to be finalising foldable phones.

Samsung had originally hoped to release its first bendy blower this year but now looks set to finally get it onto shelves in 2019, according to unnamed Wall Street Journal sources.

‘People familiar with the matter’ have told the Journal Samsung plans to introduce a foldable-screen smartphone ‘early next year’ - so we may yet see it at MWC.

The handset has been codenamed 'winner' – a good omen, perhaps? – although, as per previous reports, it’ll more likely be called ‘Galaxy X’ on release.

The prototype supposedly has a 7in screen and can fold in half ‘like a wallet’. When folded, the device will also have a smaller visible front display, with cameras on the back. Patents have previously suggested it could be closer to the size of a tablet than a phone, which the reported screen size does nothing to counter.

[Image credit: screenshot from IndVideos]

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Becky Roberts

Becky is the managing editor of What Hi-Fi? and, since her recent move to Melbourne, also the editor of Australian Hi-Fi magazine. During her 10 years in the hi-fi industry, she has been fortunate enough to travel the world to report on the biggest and most exciting brands in hi-fi and consumer tech (and has had the jetlag and hangovers to remember them by). In her spare time, Becky can often be found running, watching Liverpool FC and horror movies, and hunting for gluten-free cake.