Samsung appears to be preparing its next major leap in smartphone design. According to a new report from South Korea, the company is accelerating development of its first commercial rollable smartphone, a device that could transform from a compact handset into a tablet-sized screen at the push of a gesture. If everything goes according to plan, the new model could debut during the first half of 2028 as part of the Galaxy S28 generation.
The report, published by Korean outlet Maeil Business, claims that Samsung Display is leading the project, with the device currently expected to launch under the name Galaxy Z Slide. The rollable flagship is rumored to feature a 10-inch display with a 16:9 aspect ratio and a pixel density of roughly 440 PPI, offering a near-tablet experience while remaining pocket-friendly when retracted. Industry insiders also suggest Samsung is already considering a second-generation rollable device for 2030.
Samsung’s timing isn’t accidental. While the company remains one of the biggest players in foldable smartphones, competition has intensified over the past year. Market research from Omdia indicates Samsung’s share of the foldable display panel market declined from 41.8% in Q4 2025 to 27% in Q1 2026, giving the company another reason to push a new form factor that competitors have yet to commercialize at scale.
Unlike foldables, rollable displays introduce a completely different set of engineering challenges. The display has to repeatedly roll in and out without developing permanent creases, ripples or mechanical wear. That requires extremely precise rollers, flexible OLED layers and a durable support structure, all while keeping the device thin enough for everyday use.
Samsung has already showcased several technologies pointing in this direction. At CES 2023, the company introduced the Flex Hybrid concept, combining folding and sliding mechanisms in a single display. Later that year, at SID Display Week, Samsung Display demonstrated the Rollable Flex prototype, capable of expanding from 49 mm to more than 254 mm, increasing its visible screen area by over five times.
If Samsung succeeds in bringing this technology to market, the Galaxy Z Slide could offer one of the biggest advantages over today’s foldables: a tablet-sized display without the visible crease typically found on folding panels. That would make the device particularly attractive for multitasking, media consumption and productivity, while still fitting comfortably inside a pocket.
For now, the project remains firmly in the rumor stage, but Samsung’s continued investment in advanced display technologies suggests rollable smartphones are becoming increasingly realistic. Should the company deliver a premium experience that justifies what will likely be a flagship price tag, 2028 could mark the beginning of the next chapter in smartphone evolution.
via Gizmochina
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