Samsung Flip Foldable phone

A while back I brought up the topic of how many smartphones are beginning to look alike. Though many thought it was a petty argument, manufacturers have pushed creativity to the wayside and found themselves digging a rut using the same form factor for everything. It's not a major ordeal; people will still buy phones if manufacturers continue to pump some impressive specifications into the same ol' design. But what if something entirely new was brought to the market?

A while back RIM was granted patents for a dual-screen device , somewhat resembling a Nintendo DS. While that isn't exactly going to appeal to many people, it's the concept behind it that might. Over the past three years – since the launch of the original iPhone – smartphones have taken on a very generic look. A display with a few buttons along the edges of the device and a couple buttons below the display on the face. That was fine for how we used phones then, but we are using our phones less and less for calling and more for text messaging, media consumption, and instant access to information. This basic design still works fine, but it could be much better.

Earlier this morning, Engadget  shed some light on a concept Android phone conjured up by Kristian Larsen . A tri-flipping, glossy masterpiece. Looking at the device face-on, you wouldn't think it had anything special to offer. However, it has three flexible Super AMOLED displays covered in Gorilla Glass, steel mesh hinges, and a physical keyboard all wrapped in an aluminum case.

In the video (found by either source link) there are several different configurations that can be used to your advantage. You can prop the device into a “triangular prism” shape and view videos on both outward facing displays, where more than one person can watch a video at the same time. Keeping the device in the same configuration, rather than panning up and down on a web page by dragging your finger, you can just rotate the device – not sure if that's effective, but it could definitely be useful in various cases.

My initial reaction to this device was that this was way over the top. Three displays, a physical keyboard, and who knows what else this thing would have under the hood. But the more I look at it, the more I watch the video, the more it makes sense. And to be honest, I want this thing...now!

Remember, this is just a concept phone – a render. It's not an actual working model, but it's cool nonetheless. It probably isn't the best implementation either. As of right now, smartphones are still fragile, Gorilla Glass or not. Imagine how much more money is on the line when you add two more displays. Until the price of small, capacitive displays come down, it won't be likely to see a dual- or triple-display on a phone. Regardless, I love this concept.

 

The screen is wrapped around the bottom of the phone, where the notification area is placed, in order to get rid of clutter and keep the notification bar off the main screen. The Samsung Flip becomes an entirely different device when you flip it, depending on what your use for it is. Also, the UI changes depending on the phone positions, so for example there’s a special layout for videocalling, one for listening to music, playing back video or simply using the handset as a watch and photo frame.

You can also personalize the cover of the Samsung concept phone when it’s bended and as you can see this folding aspect allows you to keep the device attached to your belt or to a strap, as shown by the young ladies below. You can also keep recording video even if the phone is folded and it will actually keep it more steady for excellent video capture. Add a dual core 2GHz CPU to this device, Android 4.0, 16GB of memory and an 8MP camera like the one on the Galaxy Note and I’m sold!