Summary
Electronics manufacturer Samsung could be working on its own take on a handheld gaming console. A recently discovered patent indicates that this console could include the modern folding screen feature thatSamsunghas utilized in its Galaxy Fold and Flip phones.
While there were once multiple companies with competing handheld gaming consoles, the introduction of technologically advanced smartphones and free apps seemed to make them less popular for a while. The Nintendo Switch was one of the only popular portable gaming devices for a period of time, but it’s since been joined by systems like the Steam Deck, ASUS ROG Ally, and thePlayStation Portal. It seems that Samsung may see a future in handheld gaming, based on this patent.
As initially spotted by91mobiles, Samsung Display Co. filed a patent with the World Intellectual Property Organisation for an “ornamental design for electronic games console.” The patent includes multiple technical drawings of the device’s design, which looks quite similar to a Nintendo Switch when laid flat. However, the unique element here is that the device seems to fold in half. When closed, the device looks very similar to aSamsung Galaxy Z Flip, as it’s not as tall as the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold.
Is Samsung Designing a New Game System or Something Else?
Outside of this patent, Samsung hasn’t given any hints at designing a handheld gaming device. It’s also worth noting that this patent was initially filed back in 2022, so this design could have been reworked, delayed, or even scrapped by this point. While each iteration has arguably improved upon the design, users ofSamsung folding screen phoneshave sometimes reported difficulties with the hinges, which are a major component of the folding screen design. That may impact the company’s interest in developing a game console, which often face abuse in the hands of younger users.
However, there are some significant advantages to the notion of Samsung designing a handheld like this, too. A folding screen would help to protect the device in-transit, helping to ensure that the screen didn’t get scratched. It’d also make it more portable and easier to carry around. While the Nintendo Switch is lightweight and fairly thin, it’s also wide, so one can’t readily pocket it like they could with the DS line of devices.
Fans of Samsung and handheld gaming will have to wait to learn more from the company. It’s also a possibility that Samsung isn’t looking into producing its own handheld, and could instead be designing this screen to work on another company’s device.Samsung allegedly worked with Nintendo to produce OLED screensfor the game giant, so it’s not out of the question.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5
The Galaxy Z Flip5 from Samsung is its clamshell-style folding phone that brings a compact form factor without compromising on performance, it is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 SoC and comes with 8 GB of RAM. There are options for 256 GB or 512 GB storage. The Galaxy Z Flip5 has two 12 MP cameras on the cover display that double as the main cameras when the phone is opened.
