Samsung to come up with more resilient foldable devices

Samsung is working on new techniques to make its foldable series of phone-tablet hybrids resilient to shock damage.

The disclosure came out from the US Patent Office, which didn’t mention the upcoming Galaxy Z Fold 3 but it described new additions to the inner structure of the foldable device to improve the phone’s resilience.

The company’s foldable smartphones are genetically more sensitive to taking damage from drops because they have a fairly complex hinge system and two displays, one of which is a softer foldable panel. The Galaxy Z Fold 2 is said to be more repellent to abuse given the form factor, but the upcoming Galaxy Z Fold 3 and/or following models could possess a new design and structural elements that were meant to improve fall resistance.

The patent application doesn’t appear to be going into many design details but the unusual system of rails located inside the phone between the foldable panel and the midframe.

It’s not clear if this new rail system would work and provide additional protection in the event of an accidental drop, but that’s obviously the purpose, according to the source.

According to the patent applications, it isn’t a guarantee that this approach will become a real product, so perhaps this odd rail system won’t make it in the Galaxy Z Fold 3 or any other consumer device.

However, it’s certain that Samsung is working on making its foldable devices more resilient.