Samsung's dual-folding phone might not launch globally

It has been over six years since Samsung launched its first smartphone with a foldable screen. The company has improved and refined its original idea over the past few years, and it looks like Samsung is ready to go one step further. It is expected to launch its first dual-folding phone this year, but it might not launch globally.

An unannounced Samsung device with model number SM-F968 has appeared (via SmartPrix) in the GSM Association database. The supporting document reveals that the device is internally called the Q7M, and two of its variants have been spotted in the database: SM-F9680 and SM-F968N.

The SM-F968 is likely Samsung's dual-folding phone, featuring three distinct parts of a foldable display supported by two hinges. The SM-F9680 model number is likely for the Chinese version of the phone, while the SM-F968N could be the South Korean variant of the device.

Samsung generally uses B, E, U, or U1 in the model number of its phones that are launched in global markets like Asia, Europe, and the USA. Since the variant of its alleged dual-folding phone hasn't been spotted with those alphabets in its model number, it is expected that the dual-folding phone might not launch globally.

Before launching its first dual-folding phone globally, Samsung might want to test its durability and quality in limited markets like China and South Korea. However, the global variant of the device may appear in the GSMA database closer to its announcement.