Samsung: we will differentiate premium Galaxies with 'foldable OLED displays' in 2018

We've been hearing it for years, but it may finally be happening - the bendable phone, that is - as Samsung just confirmed officially that it will start mass production of "foldable panels" this year, and we can think of an application or two for them. There is no need to imagine, though, as Samsung itself states the 2018 strategy in its record annual results press release:

AS FOR THE MOBILE BUSINESS, SAMSUNG WILL CONTINUE ITS EFFORTS TO DIFFERENTIATE ITS SMARTPHONES BY ADOPTING CUTTING-EDGE TECHNOLOGIES, SUCH AS FOLDABLE OLED DISPLAYS.

There you have it, Samsung may be prepping for battle this year, as the design of its purported foldable Galaxy X, or Wing, or whatever it names it, is reportedly "almost finished," and it is the interface puzzle that needs polishing now.

Samsung allegedly brought both infolding and outfolding prototypes at a secret meeting around the CES expo earlier this month, and its presentation attracted larger than the usual crowd of investors and carrier reps this year, as the product is finally close to retail release, tipped insiders at the time. The agile Galaxy it outs will likely retail the infolding type, keeping the outfolders for a next generation of bendable handsets due to their higher curvature when folded, hence the need for increased durability.

If you are wondering what "infolding" means, look no further than Samsung's latest patent on the matter in the slides below. As for the actual screen size when unfurled, the sources confirmed that it will be a 7.3" monster, allowing you to watch videos in relative comfort, then simply snap it shut, and tuck in your pocket without a second thought. Unfolding will reportedly be done at the push of a button, if Samsung's numerous patents on the matter become reality in some shape or form.