Samsung unveils foldable smartphone

Samsung has unveiled a foldable smartphone with a flexible screen at its developer conference.

The Korean company revealed a new device with a tablet-sized screen that can then be folded in half to become similar in dimensions to a mobile phone.

Justin Denison, SVP of Mobile Product Development, showsed off the Infinity Flex Display of a folding smartphone during his keynote address of the Samsung Developer Conference on Wednesday.

The device, which could be called the Galaxy X, was heavily rumoured for some time and the technology giant has given several hints that it will announce the phone – including changing the profile pictures on some social media accounts to show a folded version of the company logo.

In September, Samsung mobile boss DJ Koh said it was "time to deliver" a folding smartphone after the company had carried out market research which suggested there was a public appetite for such a device.

Samsung was not the first to introduce a foldable device however.

US start-up Royole launched its own version last week – the FlexPai, which features a 7.8-inch screen that can be folded down to fit into a pocket.

Flexible displays are not new technology – curved television and smartphone screens have existed for some time – while several high-profile firms including LG and Lenovo have previously demonstrated screens that can be folded or rolled up, but few folding screen mobile products have so far made it to market.