Move Over Foldables, Samsung May Be Working On A Phone That Grows Taller When You Want It To

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-Divyanshi Sharma

Published: Thursday,
November 12, 2026, 16:55 [IST]

Foldable smartphones have become one of the biggest talking points in the industry, and the excitement around them has grown ever since Apple launched the iPhone Duo. While smartphone brands are still exploring ways to make phones bigger without making them difficult to carry, Samsung could already be looking beyond foldables. The company is reportedly working on a phone that does not fold in half but rolls outwards when you need more screen space. Let us explain.

Samsung could be working on a phone that expands at the touch of a button

According to well-known tipster Ice Universe, Samsung is developing a smartphone with a vertically rollable display. The device is said to support two aspect ratios, allowing users to switch between 16:9 and 21:9 depending on how they want to use the screen.

Unlike a conventional foldable, the phone would not have a visible hinge or require users to unfold it. Instead, its display is expected to extend upwards through a sliding mechanism. This could give users a more compact phone when they do not need the extra screen space, while allowing them to access a taller display when required.

The concept sounds interesting, especially for people who watch videos, browse social media or read on their smartphones. However, there is no confirmation yet about how the mechanism will work in everyday use or whether users will be able to extend the display manually or through a motorised system.

There may be one problem though, and Samsung will have to solve before bringing such a device to market. Ice Universe suggests that battery capacity could be a major challenge because the sliding mechanism is expected to occupy a considerable amount of space inside the phone.

This is an important consideration. Smartphone makers already have to balance battery capacity, thickness and internal components when designing conventional phones. Adding a display that rolls out could make that task more difficult.

Samsung will also need to ensure that the moving display remains durable after repeated use. A rollable screen introduces a different set of engineering challenges compared to a foldable panel, particularly when it comes to protecting the display and its moving parts.

Samsung has been exploring rollable phones for years

This is not the first time we have heard about Samsung’s plans for a rollable smartphone. A rumour earlier this year said that the company could unveil its first rollable-screen phone in the first half of 2028. The device was tipped to launch under the Galaxy Z Slide name, although Samsung has also trademarked the Galaxy Z Roll branding.

The company’s interest in the technology also extends to its patent filings. A patent published earlier this year reportedly showed Samsung exploring a smartphone with a side-rolling display and a movable camera module. This suggests that the company has been considering different ways to expand a phone’s screen without relying on a traditional foldable design.

For now, Samsung’s alleged rollable phone remains a rumour, and there is no confirmed launch date or official product name. However, the idea points to a possible direction for smartphones beyond foldables. Instead of asking users to open their phones to get a bigger display, manufacturers could soon let them extend the screen whenever they need it. And if that does happen, it will be pretty cool. Right?