Google Has Its Eyes On Foldable Phones, Patent Suggests

Last month, we finally saw the Samsung Galaxy Fold, probably the most impressive foldable phone ever released, at the Unpacked event.

Since the big launch, other smartphone players have also unveiled their own devices in order to catch up with the trend. Google is not an exception, at least that’s what we can tell from a patent application which on Tuesday was spotted by Patently Mobile. Although the patent while doesn’t suggest that Google will release a foldable phone, it’s an obvious proof that the company has an idea about devices of this kind.

Google's patent

Published last December, the patent details the devices as the following:

In the application, there are a lot of sketches which illustrate a device capable of folding like a wallet or a book. There is another sketch that demonstrates a device folding in a “Z” shape.

Google's patent

Google didn’t respond immediately to a comment request.

Recalling some of the foldable phones that have been introduced, first, we have the ZTE Axon M. Rather than a one-piece device, the phone has two separate sides which make it look exactly like a book. While the device can be considered as the first foldable phone, its unbalanced weight between the two sides due to the battery makes it feel not so comfortable in hands.

The ZTE Axon M

Next, we have the FlexPai, whose unveiling was captured and shared through a video that went viral quickly. Even though the phone first impressed with its flexible big screen, the screen was not so responsive to transfer from the larger screen to smaller ones.

The FlexPai

And we’ve got the latest revealed foldable phone, the Samsung Galaxy Fold that we all were looking forward. The phone’s appeared to operate quite seamlessly when it was shown live tested at the Unpacked event last month. The device will start shipping in April.

The Galaxy Fold

And there are and will be more foldable devices to launch in the coming time, let’s just wait and see how far can smartphone players go with this trend.