Samsung’s next generation of flagship tablets, the Galaxy Tab S9 series, is inching closer to official status amid numerous leaks. The company may have a surprise in store for us – a foldable tablet, which will be unveiled at the same time as the Tab S9 series, according to @Tech_Reve. The so-called Galaxy Z Tab will become part of the Z-series of foldables. Unfortunately, little else is known about the device – will it be a triple foldable like earlier rumors imagined? That’s unclear and perhaps even unlikely (having two hinges will significantly increase the complexity).
Here’s what such a tablet might look like,
based on design drawing from a patent filed by Samsung a couple of years ago.
The patent shows dual hinges that allow the tablet to be folded forwards or
backwards depending on whether the user wants to close up the display to
protect it or to create a smaller display with a wide aspect ratio.
Patent drawings don’t always turn into
reality, of course, and a single-hinge design will be simpler to make – Samsung
already has four generations of Z Folds under its belt and it’s a matter of
scaling that up to tablet size.
We should get more reliable information on
Samsung’s future product lineup as the Galaxy Tab S9 nears. Also, Apple’s first
foray into foldables is expected to be an iPad rather than an iPhone. Ming-Chi
Kuo says that it will launch in 2024, so Samsung still has time to beat its
main rival to market.
