Samsung concept phone unfolds to hypnotize onlookers with flexible OLED

Cellphones are caught in this awkward spot where they've got to be small -- like pocketable, doesn't-look-ridiculous-on-your-face small -- and yet somehow big enough to pack an expansive, pretty display that's capable of displaying a lot of stuff at once. That's a paradox that has forced manufacturers into some curious form factors over the years, but ultimately, if you want to somehow cram the desktop viewing experience into a device the size of a pack of cigarettes, you're probably going to need something that projects, rolls, or folds. That's where Samsung's new concept phone shown off at the FPD International show in Yokohama comes into play, opening like a book to reveal a flexible OLED big enough to handle those cute puppy videos that no plain-vanilla, 2.5-inch display can do justice. There's no word on when a so-equipped handset might see production -- but we think it's appropriate that it's being shown off in Japan in all places, if you catch our drift. Follow the break for a video of the display in action.

[Calvin @ Nov 24th 2008 2:05AM]

Want

[Chris @ Nov 24th 2008 4:04AM]

its ugly! Why would you want this?

[johnnyg0 @ Nov 24th 2008 8:41AM]

You're ugly.. why would anybody wants you?

[Tom @ Nov 24th 2008 9:14AM]

He is talking about the concept of foldable screens rather than that actual phone i presume.

[Calvin @ Nov 24th 2008 11:28AM]

Want technology

[Testies, Testies, 1, 2... 3? @ Nov 24th 2008 3:34PM]

Wow! And I though watching Paint Dry was fun!

[Pretol @ Nov 24th 2008 2:07AM]

It's sunday!... I'm so drunk... I'm going to have a hangover at work tomorrow... oh gawd... What is this post about again, engadget?

[lowdef @ Nov 24th 2008 2:11AM]

what was your point of posting then?

[walk @ Nov 24th 2008 4:33PM]

So glad that a few drunk people can correctly use grammar and spell perfectly. the capitalisation of your letters was a personal highlight.

Of course you are so so drunk and really really hard for being so. That is why i am glad you took time out from getting drunk ON YOUR OWN to read engadget and post the most useful post on the article.

Why oh why engadget cant you make a new version of your website for drunk people. one that makes more sense to us lonely freaks of nature that feel compelled to be retards.

[idiot @ Nov 24th 2008 2:09AM]

it still didn't close all the way








i'm such a dick

[Patriks7 @ Nov 24th 2008 4:42AM]

That you are..

[OneLove @ Nov 24th 2008 10:54AM]

now you are a faded dick.

[Ahmed Alzayani @ Nov 24th 2008 2:21AM]

finally!!

...

bring them on.... oops .. i forgot that Bush will leave office ...

...
...
...

Yes we can?

[seriousam @ Nov 24th 2008 2:21AM]

I'd rather it have a 16:9 screen instead of the 4:3 one there. But that's still awesome.

[Matt @ Nov 24th 2008 3:40AM]

That would be an awkward form factor when folded.

[ducky @ Nov 24th 2008 2:26AM]

Look at how bright that screen is. OLED is indeed yummy.

[Othello @ Nov 24th 2008 2:26AM]

I want one like this with an e-ink display in the middle instead. I remember seeing a concept for such a phone here some time ago.

[gad get @ Nov 24th 2008 2:50AM]

Why would you want e-ink over OLED? Are you afflicted with a psychological disorder that renders you incapable of rational thought?! (Are you nuts?)

[Plothole @ Nov 24th 2008 3:10AM]

@gad get
OLED and eInk have different advantages and drawbacks. EInk is far superior though if you like to use your device outside. OLEDs are normally very hard to see in such situations. This can be (partially) overcome by increasing the brightness, but that shortens battery life and potentially the life of the screen itself.

Of course one of the drawbacks is that eInk can't really handle video rate refreshes yet... though it's gotten closer with the latest developer kit. On the other hand with eInk this device would essentially become the most book-like ebook reader yet.

[gad get @ Nov 24th 2008 3:20AM]

I think the idea behind having as large a display as possible in a cellphone is to make the phone better for mobile browsing and media. OLED is therefore the logical choice in a device like this, since e-ink is hardly suitable for anything other than text viewing. An e-ink screen on the front would make more sense.

[Othello @ Nov 24th 2008 3:42AM]

For reading e-books. One of the reasons e-ink is superior for this purpose is the way in which the screen displays data. LCD and OLED emit light from everything, which contributes to eye strain/fatigue. In other words, instead of carrying around a gigantic by comparison Kindle, I could use my phone as an e-reader. Sure, I suppose you could use the external screen for this purpose, but there is a reason most e-book readers are so large.

[Plothole @ Nov 24th 2008 4:21AM]

EInk could at least partially fill the role for mobile browsing. No you wouldn't be able to watch youtube videos, but you could still check you email, surf forums, and all the other web related things that don't demand 30fps.

Now this device can stay as is. It appeals to a certain market, and that's fine. However it would be nice to have something similar, but with eInk, available on the market for customers whose demands it would better appeal to.

[Megarain @ Nov 24th 2008 10:27AM]

WANT! NOW!

But really, can you image if this gets mixed with multi touch. Those concepts for all LED folding laptops are looking more and more real.

[sam arieta @ Nov 24th 2008 2:31AM]

I'm wondering if the crease where the screen folds effects the picture

[gad get @ Nov 24th 2008 2:52AM]

Yeah, this video doesn't really give us a good look at it--too bad the demo was in a darkened room.

[jon @ Nov 24th 2008 12:42PM]

As I understand, there's no crease, the screen folds like a "u" not like a "v".

[PyRo1509 @ Nov 24th 2008 2:38AM]

If its touchscreen it would be awesome!

[iofthestorm @ Nov 24th 2008 2:39AM]

Awesome, Nintendo should use this for the successor to the DS to eliminate the gap between the two screens, and just put in a black bar between.

[AlDeezy @ Nov 24th 2008 2:46AM]

But then it would cost more than ps3, wii, and 360 combined. lol

[PyRo1509 @ Nov 24th 2008 2:54AM]

Everyone knows awesome is in direct proportion to price...

[treyk @ Nov 24th 2008 3:19AM]

...Except when talking about the PS3 ;)

[eydryan @ Nov 24th 2008 3:45AM]

now add a touchscreen to that puppy and i'm sold. in a few years, when it won't cost 3000$

[Chris @ Nov 24th 2008 3:58AM]

hmmm, i'd just buy an iPhone I think -_- it looks more like a desktop only phone!

[Mobius_1 @ Nov 24th 2008 4:29AM]

That is HOT!

[r3n @ Nov 24th 2008 4:58AM]

Nice. Saran-wrap-style OLED rolls anyone?

[Rufus White @ Nov 24th 2008 6:00AM]

that would be one trippy joint right there.

[ace587 @ Nov 24th 2008 7:08AM]

OLED s3x

[Andres @ Nov 24th 2008 7:21AM]

Oh man this will be so crazy. I wish I had money so I could be the first to get this phone at my school. I'll probably be the 3rd.
I can't wait untill something like this is hacked and it runs linux.... -dreams-

[hitsthings @ Nov 24th 2008 7:24AM]

Not without its charm.

And what a massacre at the top of the comments section.

[Stephanie Vasone @ Nov 24th 2008 7:27AM]

I like this idea. In a few years maybe the bugs will be gone and I can afford such a toy.

[ZIG @ Nov 24th 2008 7:42AM]

it's only natural that folding OLED's are the next step in cellphone evolution, never-the-less it's freakin' awesome and i want one!

[SOOPERGOOMAN @ Nov 24th 2008 10:00AM]

Wild!

[Unique Gift Ideas @ Nov 24th 2008 10:14AM]

Doesn't the Nokia morphing concept-phone have a flexible OLED display? I'm probably mistaking it for something else though.

[Hackettman @ Nov 24th 2008 12:19PM]

I havent been this excited about a tech in some time....... What I cant wait for is when this is out and everything that is created in response...... Or 2.0 of this phone...... It really can only get sexier.....

[Jimi @ Nov 24th 2008 12:32PM]

I'll take one with Android on it please. Thanks!!!

[cg200313 @ Nov 24th 2008 1:34PM]

Verrry interesting looking. Of course the technology isn't not cool enough right now. I can't wait to see Apple steal it, call it their own, and everybody think it's soooo cool then. Apple = Least innovative company I've ever seen! They charge a disgusting premium for something they don't even really own. They own what, multi-touch on a handset? Hey everybody let's shake our phones like a bunch of numnuts to find what to eat while watching this amazing disco-ball spin! And lame-o was its name-o. My turds are more innovative. At least they come out with more features each time! Otherwise - cool technology! Can't wait to see it!

[fletchbaby @ Nov 24th 2008 2:44PM]

cg200313, you suck

[Scott @ Nov 24th 2008 2:42PM]

I would DEFINITELY buy a puppy with a touch screen for $3000.

[xichu @ Nov 24th 2008 5:29PM]

watch it in high quality video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qat9FeJ6qIg

There are other AMOLED demo videos posted by the same user