The foldable display, which Samsung unveiled in November last year, is intended to open up a wide range of possibilities: "Today, Samsung is writing the next chapter in the history of mobile innovation by pushing the boundaries of the smartphone category and opening up new application possibilities. The Galaxy Fold with our Infinity Flex Display creates a new product category with previously unimaginable features," said DJ Koh, President and CEO of IT & Mobile Communications Division, Samsung Electronics. "We have developed the Galaxy Fold for those who want a premium mobile device that offers many more possibilities than a traditional smartphone."

Users can fold the Galaxy Fold into a compact device and store it in their pocket.

© Samsung

The 'Samsung Galaxy Fold' aims to combine the best of both worlds without being a compromise like a "phablet": the compactness of a smartphone and at the same time the largest smartphone display from Samsung to date - almost like a tablet. According to Samsung, more than eight years of development innovations in the areas of materials, engineering and display technology have been incorporated since the first prototype of a flexible display was presented in 2011. These include:

• New display materials: the inner screen doesn't just bend: it folds. Folding is a more intuitive movement - and a more difficult display innovation to realize. Samsung has invented a new polymer layer and developed a display that is around 50 percent flatter than a typical smartphone display.
• New folding mechanism: According to Samsung, the 'Galaxy Fold' opens smoothly like a book and closes with a click. To achieve this, the company says it has developed an ingenious hinge with several interlocking gears. The entire mechanism is hidden in the housing.
• New design elements: From the screen to the casing to every control element - Samsung has revised the design of the Galaxy Fold. The fingerprint scanner is located on the side where the thumb rests naturally, making it easy to unlock the device. Two batteries and all components are evenly balanced in the housing, making the Galaxy Fold comfortable to hold. The colors "Space Silver", "Cosmos Black", "Martian Green" and "Astro Blue" as well as the engraved hinge with the Samsung logo complete the elegant design.

Flexible user experience

The 'Samsung Galaxy Fold' was developed for demanding users. On request, it can be transformed to provide the screen size that users need. When folded, it fits comfortably in the pocket and can be operated with one hand for calls or text messages. When opened, it offers space for multitasking, presentations, digital magazines, movies or AR content.

The Galaxy Fold is equipped with a specially developed user interface and powerful hardware:

• Multi-Active Window: Users can open and use up to three apps at the same time - whether they want to edit a document, play a game or share photos with friends and family. Samsung has equipped the Galaxy Fold with the latest generation AP chipset and 12 GB RAM to ensure that three apps run smoothly at the same time. The dual battery system is designed to keep up with a demanding lifestyle. Wireless PowerShare1 allows users to charge the Galaxy Fold and a second device simultaneously while connected to a standard charger - no need for a second charger.
• App continuity: When the Galaxy Fold opens and closes, apps are automatically displayed as the user last used them.
• Powerful, versatile camera: With six lenses - three on the back, two on the inside and one on the front - the Galaxy Fold's camera system can be used flexibly. Thanks to the multitasking capabilities, it is also possible, for example, to use other applications in parallel during a video call

Samsung has worked closely with Google and the Android developer community to ensure that the most popular apps and services such as Facebook, WhatsApp and YouTube are compatible with the user interface of the Galaxy Fold.

The mobile device will be available in Germany in the second quarter of 2019 both in the Samsung online store and from the network operators Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone and Telefonica. In the USA, Samsung will launch the device on the market for 1980 dollars (excluding VAT). In London, where the device was unveiled, the company announced the European price of 2,000 euros, which already includes VAT.