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At this year’s MWC, Samsung showcased a prototype device called the Flex Gaming—a foldable gaming handheld that resembles a Nintendo Switch and folds in the middle. It seems that Samsung now has broad ambitions for foldable-screen gaming devices. According to TechNews, citing 91mobiles, Samsung recently secured a new patent for a folding handheld, with a design concept that appears to resemble the Nintendo DS or PlayStation Portal.
Details of this new patent have appeared in the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) database, as the report notes. The patent is described as “the ornamental design for a remote controller.”
The report points out that the handheld device appears to adopt a vertically folding screen design. When the rectangular screen is folded, the device becomes more portable and convenient. However, as indicated by the report, most games are typically designed for landscape or horizontal orientation, which raises questions about whether there might be other use scenarios when the screen is folded.
Furthermore, the report notes that unlike previous designs, this handheld features side grips that are split into left and right halves, resembling the configuration of the PlayStation Portal. However, it remains unclear whether these side controllers are detachable—like the Nintendo Joy-Cons, Lenovo Legion Go, or the Razer Backbone, as the report indicates.
Meanwhile, the report also indicates that the two side controllers appear to be equipped with identical D-pads, face buttons, and air triggers. There also seem to be speaker grilles located above and below the screen, which could provide stereo sound. Additionally, the device features a USB-C port that may be used for charging or potentially for headphone connectivity.
Samsung Doubles Down on Foldables Amid Rising Competition
Samsung has shown strong ambition in the foldable device market. According to a report from South Korean media outlet The Elec, the company aims to ship a total of 7 million foldable phones in 2025 and plans to produce approximately 200,000 units of its new tri-fold smartphone, with component production reportedly starting in the second quarter of 2025.
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(Photo credit: Samsung Display)
