According to a newly published patent, Samsung is working on an expandable phone with a partially transparent screen. In July 2021, Samsung Electronics filed a patent with WIPO (World Intellectual Property Office) for a “slidable electronic device and method of using a transparent display in said electronic device”. The 97-page document was published on March 10, 2022.
It describes a Samsung Galaxy smartphone with a screen that stretches in width. This allows you to expand the display area in an instant, ideal for those who need a large screen. The interface automatically adjusts based on usage. The patent shows that the flexible display extends from the right side to the back of the smartphone.
So in its most compact form, it’s a phone with a double-sided display. A special feature is the ability to detach the display section on the back from the case, so you can place this display section on the front to create a larger screen area.
You can then rotate the screen further so that it stands upright. This creates a laptop-like form factor – for extra versatility. So you can use multiple apps simultaneously without any hassle. This design is ideal for work as well as for entertainment such as mobile gaming or watching multimedia content. When the monitor is held upright, it is supported at the back, preventing it from accidentally falling off. This particular phone also comes with S Pen support.
The documents also show that Samsung wants a transparent screen as part of it. To make this possible, polarizing plates are used. The degree of transparency depends on the application, from fully transparent to partially translucent. Whenever the user wants to take a picture, the display becomes transparent, allowing the camera to take a picture. You can also select filter types such as UV filters, neutral L filters, polarizing filters, and cross filters.
The patented Samsung Galaxy Z Slide is equipped with multiple cameras. The camera system on the back consists of multiple sensors, which are placed under the display. There is talk about wide-angle cameras and telephoto or stitching machines. An infrared projector is also built in to measure the distance to objects. Additionally, an under-display front-facing camera will be integrated for selfies and video calls. There is also an option to use a swivel camera, which can be aimed at both the front and the rear.
Transparent phones have more advantages. As an example, you can place your phone on a document or book, scan it with the camera, and the translation results are displayed on the transparent screen section. Even the slope of the text is adapted from the original text. Transparent smartphones can also be a great solution for augmented reality (AR) applications.