Samsung recently launched their new foldable phones, the Samsung Fold5 and the Flip5. In this video, they discuss the importance of the hinge in ensuring the success of these devices. The evolution of hinge design in Samsung’s foldable phones is showcased, highlighting the advancements in reducing the gap between the folded display—the latest Galaxy Z Fold five features three independent hinges, allowing for a seamless and gapless fold. Stay tuned for more updates on Samsung’s future foldable phone innovations.
Samsung has just launched two new foldable phones: the Samsung Fold Five and the Flip Five. Today, we’re going to discuss a crucial aspect often associated with foldable designs – the hinge. Success with these devices hinges on getting this component just right.
To demonstrate the complexities of designing a hinge for a foldable phone, we’ve crafted this super-fancy fold, featuring a foldable display. Here’s the challenge we face: In this example, we have a simple piano-style hinge on the device and a flexible display. When the device is flat and open, all seems well, but what happens when we attempt to close it?
As you can see, the display attempts to fold inward, creating an issue. It’s clear that this configuration won’t work. This “X” represents material that folds inside the phone. The excess display must be accommodated. That’s why, when foldable phone companies design hinges, their strategy involves addressing this issue at the edges by consuming some of the slack created by the display when the phone is folded.
In earlier generations, such as this third-generation Samsung Flip phone, there was always a gap. This gap was a result of the excess display material created during folding. However, in the new generation of these devices, they have managed to eliminate this gap. Now, you get a smooth closure when you fold the phone. Let’s explore how it’s achieved correctly because, as we explained, folding the display in early generations wasn’t straightforward.
This is an X-ray of the Samsung Fold One, the very first foldable phone on the market. It was a groundbreaking development. Samsung used no fewer than seven hinges to make it work. These early-generation phones had a noticeable gap between the two sides when folded. Over time, as technology advanced, Samsung refined their hinge strategy.
As you can see, this tuning strategy allowed for some separation between the two sides of the phone, accounting for the excess material created when the phone is closed. In 2021, with this model, they continued to use two hinges and achieved a good result in folding the screen, but still left a gap. Moving on to 2022, they added a third hinge. This hinge, while stylish, had two fingers that started larger separations in the display, allowing the two sides to come closer together.
Now, in the latest iteration, the 2023 Galaxy Z Fold Five, they have incorporated three independent hinges. What’s noteworthy is that there are actually two hinges, one on each side of the phone, enabling a complete collapse without any gaps.
Thank you for watching, and we look forward to seeing what Samsung has in store for us with the next generation, the Samsung Fold Six. Please click the subscribe button here to watch more of our reviews. Feel free to share any ideas or topics you’d like us to explore. After all, we are the people you can turn to for information. Thanks for watching!
Dr. Bill Cardoso – Founder and CEO of Creative Electron.