The next generation of Samsung’s flagship tablets, the Galaxy Tab S9 series, is nearing official status amid several leaks. The company may have a surprise in store for us – a foldable tablet, which will be unveiled at the same time as the Tab S9 series, according to a… @employee.
The so-called Galaxy Z Tab will become part of the Z series of foldable devices. Unfortunately, little is known about the device – will it be a triple foldable phone as previous rumors imagined? This is not obvious and probably not likely (having two joints would greatly increase the complexity).
Here’s what this tablet might look like, based on a design sketch from a patent filed by Samsung two years ago. The patent shows dual hinges that allow the tablet to be folded forward or backward depending on whether the user wants to close the screen to protect it or to create a smaller screen with a large aspect ratio.
Samsung patented bi-fold tablet design
Patent sketches don’t always pan out, of course, and a single-hinge design would be easier to make — Samsung already has four generations of Z Folds under its belt, and it’s a matter of expanding that to tablet size.
We should get more reliable information about Samsung’s future line-up of products as the Galaxy Tab S9 approaches. Also, Apple’s first foray into foldable devices is expected to be the iPad instead of the iPhone. Ming-Chi Kuo says it will launch in 2024, so Samsung still has time to beat its main competitor in the market.