After roughly a decade of developing flexible display technology, Samsung Display finally reached the point where it could commercialize foldable panels. The Galaxy Fold was the first device to adopt this new technology a few years back, and since then, Samsung Display has experimented with all kinds of form factors. Some designs, such as the Flex Hybrid display, we've seen at trade shows. But now, Samsung Display has applied for yet another Flex-related trademark.
A new entry in the KIPRIS database (Korea Intellectual Property Rights Information Service) reveals that Samsung Display is trying to secure the “FlexMirror” brand. For what purpose, exactly, is unknown. Nevertheless, “Flex” is generally associated with Samsung's foldable and rollable displays. Samsung applied for the FlexMirror trademark on February 6, 2023.
FlexMirror may or may not have reflective properties
Beyond flexible displays, the name doesn't say much about what type of product Samsung might be developing under this brand. “FlexMirror” suggests that the display may have some reflective properties, but it might not. And, of course, there's always the possibility that Samsung Display may want to secure this name for safekeeping purposes without actually planning to release a FlexMirror-based product. Only time will tell.
One of the most recent innovations from Samsung was the Flex In & Out, which is a panel that can be folded both ways. It can fold inward as it does on the existing Galaxy Z Fold and Z Flip smartphone lineups, but it can also fold outward as one would find on devices such as the Huawei Mate XS.
Later this year, at the next major Unpacked event, Samsung intends to announce the Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Galaxy Z Flip 5, both of which should retain the form factors established by the series. However, rumors say the upcoming foldable phones will introduce new innovations and better hinge technology.
