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Is the Waterdrop Hinge the Future of Foldable Laptops?

Samsung is working on a new kind of laptop that can fold, like a book. This new laptop is expected to come out in the second half of 2024. It’s going to be very slim, and it will have a special way of folding called a “waterdrop hinge.” This is a bit like the way a water droplet looks when it falls from a leaf.

The waterdrop hinge is not something completely new for Samsung. They’ve used a similar design in their recent foldable smartphones like the Z Flip 5 and Z Fold 5. This hinge allows the laptop to fold in a way that the screens fit together very closely, and it reduces the creases or lines you see when you fold it. This could make the laptop thinner, although there are concerns about whether it will be strong enough.

But some people in the tech industry are wondering if this waterdrop hinge is really necessary for laptops. Unlike smartphones, which you hold close to your eyes, laptops are used differently. They are heavier, and when you fold them, they become thicker. So, some experts think a different type of hinge, like a U-shape, might be more practical for laptops. They say that the benefits of the waterdrop hinge might not be that important for laptop users.

It’s also important to note that LG has already released a foldable laptop called the Gram Fold. So, Samsung is not the first to try this, but they are waiting a bit to launch their product. Some people think this is because the tech industry is facing some challenges right now. They believe that Samsung might not be able to make a lot of money from foldable laptops, especially because they are not as strong in the laptop market as some other companies.

When it comes to the laptop’s screens, Samsung might get them from their own company, Samsung Display, or from another company called BOE Technology Group. By the way, there’s a rumor that Apple is also working on a foldable MacBook, but that’s not expected until 2026.

October 8, 2023
Microsoft’s Future Foldable: A Two-Way Hinge Design

The first-generation Microsoft Surface Duo was released in late 2020 as a foldable phone, but it differed significantly from the innovative design of the Galaxy Fold series. Instead of a flexible OLED panel, the Surface Duo featured two regular screens separated by uneven bezels. Its second-generation model, released the following year, didn’t introduce any physical changes either. While the Surface Duo wasn’t known for its design, it did have a unique feature: the ability to fold in both directions. According to a recent report, Microsoft plans to continue this capability in its future foldable devices.

Detailed design sketches of a purported Microsoft foldable phone have emerged, revealing the inner workings of this clamshell-style flip phone. The patent filing includes outlines of the device, indicating a 360-degree hinge, likely an enhanced version of what we saw on the Surface Duo. This hinge has components that move forward to support the flexible display when the phone is open and retract when it’s closed to reduce pressure on the display.

However, implementing a bi-folding hinge on a flexible display is more challenging than on a device like the Surface Duo with two separate screens. Flexible panels on mainstream foldable phones are delicate and designed to fold in only one direction, with their center curve supported by the hinge. On a 360-degree hinge, the display must fold in both directions, subjecting it to additional stress during everyday use. The hinge itself must handle the display crease and any bulging, depending on the direction of the fold.

It’s essential to keep in mind that patent filings typically don’t reveal the complete picture, so this Microsoft flip phone design should be taken with caution. Nonetheless, it’s intriguing to see what the company has in store for its next foldable device and whether this flip phone design with a two-way hinge will become a reality.

While existing Surface Duo models are nearing the end of their lifecycle, there hasn’t been a solid indication of a new Microsoft foldable device coming anytime soon. However, this patent filing suggests that the company is still exploring foldable technology. In the meantime, if you’re looking for a foldable phone, the Galaxy Fold 5 is currently your best option.

September 22, 2023
Leak Reveals Design Improvements and Hinge Gap Issue in Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip 4 Successor

Samsung’s fans are extremely excited about the upcoming successor to the Galaxy Z Flip 4. The reason for this excitement is the design improvements that this new folding device is expected to have. Recently, dummy units of the device have been leaked, giving users a glimpse of these design improvements.

When it comes to leaks before a device’s launch, Samsung often unintentionally reveals important information. Recent reports have already shown dummy images of the upcoming device, giving users an idea of what to expect. Along with showcasing the device’s design, this leak also highlights a problem that users should anticipate.

The issue at hand is the hinge gap that will be present in the Galaxy Z Flip 4 successor. Over the past few years, users have had to deal with this problem with each new Galaxy Z Flip product launch. Samsung seems to be struggling to minimize the gap in the hinge of their clamshell folding device. As you may already know, foldable devices have a hinge in the middle of the display, allowing the device to fold in half and become more compact for easy portability.

For the upcoming Flip 4 successor, Samsung is introducing a large cover display as a design and practicality improvement. The leaked dummy images show an upgrade from the previous Z Flip model, bringing it in line with competitors. Motorola has already released a clamshell folding device with a sizable 3.6-inch AMOLED cover display.

Samsung is now preparing to launch the Galaxy Z Flip 4 successor with a large cover display as well. However, the Korean tech giant seems to be ignoring the issue of the hinge gap on their forthcoming foldable device. The leaked dummy images clearly reveal a gap between the upper folding half and the bottom part of the device when folded flat.

The hinge gap has been a consistent feature across the previous Galaxy Z Flip devices. Other brands have been actively working on improving their hinge technology for clamshell folding devices, aiming to eliminate the presence of the hinge gap.

Samsung appears to not view the gap as a significant problem, but many tech experts would criticize them for this oversight. The launch of the Galaxy Fold 4 successor is just a few weeks away, scheduled to take place during the Samsung Unpacked event on July 26th.

July 12, 2023