Samsung Display Co. has filed a patent on the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) for a folding device with a detachable keyboard. 91mobiles has got the device’s design sketches from different angles, both with and without the keyboard. Let’s check out this new form factor and its potential use cases.
Samsung foldable with detachable keyboard design
In the images from the filing, we see a big display device with a hinge on the lower part. It can be folded inwards (towards the front).
You can attach the keyboard to the bottom of the device. And fold the entire lower part inwards including the keyboard.
We are not sure how this folding behaviour would impact the screen. Perhaps, Samsung could use a protective film, similar to what it uses on the Galaxy Fold 5 main display.
The good thing is that a folding display and detachable keyboard could make the device more compact and portable.
Here’s how we think the keyboard comes into play:
How a keyboard makes sense for a foldable design
- Portability: When a keyboard is attached to a folding display, the setup not only resembles a laptop but also becomes easier to carry around due to the folding feature.
The Galaxy tablets have had detachable keyboard support for some time now. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra for instance supports a Book Cover Keyboard that attaches magnetically. - Versatility: You could prop and use the device in different forms. For example, you could use it as a tablet for graphic designing and entertainment purposes or as a laptop for writing and using keyboard shortcuts. Using the device the way you want can lead to more productivity.
Furthermore, you could get a PC-like experience thanks to Samsung’s Dex mode and custom shortcuts for quick access to various apps and functions.
