Samsung Electronics is developing its first commercial rollable smartphone with a planned release in the first half of 2028 [1].
The project represents a significant shift in mobile hardware, aiming to bridge the gap between pocket-sized phones and full-sized tablets. By utilizing a rollable mechanism, Samsung seeks to capture a market segment that was largely abandoned after LG exited the foldable device space [2].
Reports from South Korea indicate that Samsung Display is involved in supplying the necessary flexible OLED screens [3]. The device is tentatively referred to as either the Galaxy Z Slide [1] or the Galaxy Z Roll [4]. According to available specifications, the phone will feature a 10-inch expandable flexible OLED display [1]. Some reports also suggest a pixel density of 440 ppi [4].
While the company has not officially confirmed the naming convention, the device is intended to transform from a standard handset into a tablet-sized screen [2]. This design allows for a wider viewing area without the crease typically associated with current folding technology. Some descriptions categorize the device as a pocket-friendly foldable [5], while others describe it as a rollable, brick-style phone concept [6].
Samsung's strategy involves expanding its foldable portfolio to maintain dominance in the premium handheld market. The development of the rollable screen is a collaborative effort between the electronics division and its display subsidiary to ensure the hardware can withstand repeated expansion and contraction [3].
The company is targeting a launch window within the first half of 2028 [1], though other reports simply state the device could arrive sometime during that year [2, 3].
“Samsung is developing its first commercial rollable smartphone with a planned release in the first half of 2028.”
The move toward rollable displays suggests that Samsung views the current 'fold' as a transitional technology rather than the final form of mobile computing. By targeting a 10-inch screen, Samsung is attempting to merge the smartphone and tablet categories into a single device, potentially disrupting the market for small tablets if the rollable mechanism proves durable and affordable for consumers.
