Back in 2009, Microsoft was working on Project Courier, the codename of Booklet PC. Microsoft cancelled the device in 2010 and it was one of the big mistakes, the Redmond giant had ever committed. The Booklet PC was the first device with dual-touchscreens, it was a foldable device (sorta) or a booklet form factor device. The Booklet PC had seven-inch screens and it could be closed just like a book.
Microsoft hasn’t given up on the idea of foldable device. Since past 2-3 years, the Redmond-based Microsoft filed patents of a device with a foldable display. Later the reports from multiple sources revealed that the mythical device ‘Surface Phone’ might come with a foldable display.
Lenovo is also working on a device named ‘Folio’ with a foldable display. Just a few days ago, we reported that ZTE is going to launch the world’s first foldable mobile device on October 17. It looks like Samsung is also going to join the club, the South Korean giant might launch a foldable Galaxy device next year.
During the Samsung Media Day conference in Seoul, Samsung confirmed that the company is planning to launch its first foldable device next year. “As the head of the business, I can say our current goal is next year. When we can overcome some problems for sure, we will launch the product,” President of Samsung Mobile Business, Koh Dong-Jin said.
Samsung’s Note series could be part of the foldable device plan as the Galaxy Note comes with a massive 6-inch display. The foldable device from Samsung will be expensive than Note8 or even the iPhone X.
Surface Phone is also rumoured to feature a foldable design but the latest rumours have confirmed that Microsoft has delayed the Surface Phone launch until late 2018 or 2019. Samsung, Lenovo and ZTE’s foldable devices will be powered by Android. Although, the Foldable device with Windows 10 concept sounds more interesting.