Samsung Project Valley foldable smartphone to arrive in January

by Mark Tyson on 28 October 2015, 13:06

Tags: Samsung (005935.KS)

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Samsung looks set to introduce the first truly different new smartphone design since the invention of the rounded rectangle. In January next year Samsung's 'Project Valley' smartphone, featuring a large foldable screen, will launch in a number of countries, including the UK, according to sources speaking to SamMobile.

Samsung's Project Valley smartphone is also known by the model number SM-G929F. SamMobile draws the conclusion that it must therefore sport similar performance hardware to the Galaxy S6 edge+ (SM-G928), differentiated hugely, of course, by the foldable screen. The same source uncovered a Samsung patent last month that showed how Samsung envisioned a foldable display equipped smartphone. The fold is a semi-circular curve, as I would assume a 'V' would be destructive, so it looks like a small wallet, see below.

The new smartphone is expected to be launched by Samsung as early as January. That puts it in line with the annual CES event, rather than a mobile-focussed show like the MWC. Remember Samsung advanced its summer launch schedule by several weeks to avoid the latest Galaxy Note clashing with the Apple iPhone. This might be a similar move to get plenty of coverage ahead of the multitude of smartphone releases around MWC time.

For such a daringly different product Samsung must be feeling pretty confident, as it has quite a large selection of geographical markets lined up for the Project Valley smartphone launch, according to SamMobile's sources. The following are Samsung's launch networks/markets:

  • BTU – United Kingdom
  • CPW – United Kingdom (Carphone Warehouse)
  • XEU – United Kingdom / Ireland
  • DBT – Germany
  • ITV – Italy
  • KOR - South Korea
  • NEE – Nordic countries
  • XEF – France
  • XEO – Poland

The US is conspicuously absent, but they got the Galaxy Note 5 which still isn't available in the UK/Europe as yet.



HEXUS Forums :: 24 Comments

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That's freaky!
So you take something that fits well into a pocket, being about the right length and nice and thin… and make it shorter and thicker?

This seems completely pointless. Want to check your phone quickly? Tough luck, it's folded in half. Want to take a call quickly? Tough luck, you phone is folded in half. Don't want a lump in your trouser or jacket pocket? Tough luck, you've made your phone twice as bulky. Solution? Don't fold the phone in half.

I get the feeling Samsung is doing this for the sake of it. Perhaps the shareholders wanted to see something new.
Bah! Won't catch on before Apple “reveals” a brand new highly innovative foldable iPhone 9.
Froggywoggy
So you take something that fits well into a pocket, being about the right length and nice and thin… and make it shorter and thicker?

This seems completely pointless. Want to check your phone quickly? Tough luck, it's folded in half. Want to take a call quickly? Tough luck, you phone is folded in half. Don't want a lump in your trouser or jacket pocket? Tough luck, you've made your phone twice as bulky. Solution? Don't fold the phone in half.

I get the feeling Samsung is doing this for the sake of it. Perhaps the shareholders wanted to see something new.

People happily bought clamshell phones when candybar designs were available…
kingpotnoodle
People happily bought clamshell phones when candybar designs were available…

I think we can all agree that the main uses of phones has changed considerably since clamshell phones were considered high end.