While Samsung is preparing to release updates to their Galaxy Z Fold devices this summer, rumor has it that they may also introduce their first generation "slidable" display smartphone. Yesterday Ross Young, the co-founder and CEO of DSCC that is widely known in the Apple community as a source for display news, posted a series of tweets regarding Samsung's possible next smartphone form factor as presented below.

Rollable demo from Samsung Display pic.twitter.com/bZxn4KYklM

— Ross Young (@DSCCRoss) May 10, 2022

Rollable demo from Samsung Display pic.twitter.com/dupOspnqok

— Ross Young (@DSCCRoss) May 10, 2022

There appears to be two styles that Samsung is considering. The first will involve the display expanding from the right side of the phone while the second style involves the display expanding from the top of the smartphone.

As noted in the video below, rumor source 'Ice Universe' points out that Samsung may introduce their first slide-out display form factor later this year. Ice Universe believes that the slide-out form factor goes by the code name "diamond." Below is a video clip showing the slide-out form factor.

You could view the entire video on Samsung's Slide-Out from TechTalkTV. The host of the show says in the video that a smartphone that could expand the display closer to an iPad mini would be absolutely amazing.

Back in November 2020 Patently Apple posted a report covering an announcement and video of the OPPO X slidable display form factor that was due to debut in Q4 2021. Instead, OPPO surprised the market with their first Galaxy Z Fold challenger branded the 'OPPO Find N." Another company by the name of TCL was to introduce a slide-out display smartphone form factor for 2020 that never materialized.

Skipping on the slidable display form factor now opens the door for Samsung to be the first-to-market with their Slide-Out design if all goes well.

Samsung has been working on a scrollable, slide-out form factor since at least 2014. Other patent reports on this form factor were posted on Patently Apple and Patently Mobile that you could review here: 01 (2020), 02 (2021), 03 (2020), and 04 (2016).

Like most major Apple inventions, there's a long trail of patents behind the device-in-the-making long before it comes to market and the rumor mill kicks into action. Should this be the year that Samsung finally decides to the pull the trigger, Samsung fans should know that this invention has been in the works for a minimum of eight years and likely longer.

Bringing a first-to-market device could take up to a decade or more to come to market, with a lot of patents to first explore. While rumors get a lot of attention in social media, following patents pointing to possible next-gen devices is satisfying for many engineers and those who love technology innovation in-the-works.

For Samsung, being first-to-market is something that the company strives for and a way for them to keep Apple in the category of a "follower" instead of an innovator.

Of course Apple focuses on delivering a unique blend of quality hardware and software that has made them a leader in smartphones, tablets and smartwatches. Apple's  next-gen HMD is likely to be their next new product focus.

Then again, you can't keep Apple out of the conversation when it comes to a possible slide-out iPhone form factor. It was in the news just yesterday that Apple has begun development of a new thin OLED Panel optimal for foldable devices. Technically, that could apply to a future scrollable or slide-out form factor as well. Apple has a few patents on possible future scrollable, slide-out form factors here: 01 and 02 and more. A set of Apple patent figures on this form factor is presented below.

At the end of the day, will this be the year Samsung introduces the world's first Slide-Out smartphone form factor? Only time will tell.

Is this a form factor that could interest you? Send in your comments below or on our Twitter feed.