A new chapter in smartphone innovation may be just around the corner
Smartphones have stuck with their tried-and-tested designs for years without any major innovation — until foldable phones came along. Although they marked a turning point, these devices still lack the finesse and polish of their traditional counterparts. This remains the case, leading to revised sales expectations for the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 and Fold 7 — but phone manufacturers still have a trick up their sleeves.
A recent render of Samsung’s potential rollable phone surfaced, sparking new excitement about the future. While this render is based purely on a patent, meaning it almost certainly doesn’t resemble the final product, it’s a concept grounded in possibility. Similar tech has already been manufactured, as demonstrated by Oppo’s X 2021 rollable phone prototype.
A Vertical Rollable: Samsung's Bold New Direction
Samsung is once again pushing the boundaries of mobile design — this time, with a vertical rollable smartphone. According to a recently uncovered patent spotted by DomoAI in collaboration with tipster David from @xleaks7, the design hints at a future where smartphones can roll upward, rather than fold sideways.
This vertical expansion means the device stays compact in your pocket but can stretch to offer a taller, more immersive screen when needed. The sketches show slim bezels and a slightly pronounced chin. The phone’s body appears thicker than usual. On the back, the camera resembles the dual-lens layout of the Galaxy Z Flip 6.
Although the patent doesn’t show the screen fully unrolled, so the maximum screen size remains unclear, the form factor suggests smoother transitions between compact and expanded use, making it an ideal hybrid for both productivity and entertainment.
What’s a Rollable Smartphone?
A rollable smartphone is designed to provide the same advantage as a foldable: expanding screen real estate. But rather than folding open like a book or flip phone, the screen rolls outward, letting users stretch the display to a desired size. The content adjusts automatically to fit.
Unlike foldables that only support two modes (open and closed), rollables can offer more flexibility. Oppo’s rollable demo proved this was possible — and arguably more elegant — than current foldables on the market.
Foldables haven’t met sales expectations, and some manufacturers are moving on.
When Can We Expect Samsung’s Rollable?
As of now, there’s no official release date. Some enthusiasts believe Samsung might debut the rollable phone in 2025. Given that the company is already busy with the tri-foldable and Galaxy S25 Edge, a rollable debut this year seems unlikely — but never say never.
Although nothing has been officially confirmed yet and we’ve only seen patent sketches so far, this vertical rollable hints at a future where hardware adaptability could transform the way we use smartphones.