Exclusive: A Peek Inside Samsung’s Secret Display Lab – What’s Next for Smartphones?

Samsung is developing a new generation of flexible smartphone form factors that include rollable, slideable, and expandable displays, according to reporting from CNET on July 14, 2026. These concepts move beyond the existing Galaxy Z Fold series by utilizing mechanisms that allow screens to expand or contract without the traditional hinge-based fold.

The developments were showcased during the first press visit to Samsung’s internal display laboratory. The prototypes demonstrate a shift toward “rollable” technology, where a screen can be motorized to extend its surface area, effectively changing the device’s aspect ratio on demand.

Samsung Rollable and Expandable Display Prototypes

The prototypes seen at the lab differ from the current foldable market by eliminating the permanent crease often found in foldable OLED panels. According to CNET, the rollable concepts use a sliding mechanism that allows the display to wrap around an internal drum or slide beneath a chassis, expanding the screen width without requiring the user to unfold a device.

These devices aim to solve the “compromise” of current foldables, which typically require a choice between a narrow outer screen or a bulky unfolded footprint. A rollable display allows a phone to maintain a standard smartphone width while expanding into a tablet-sized interface through a motorized roll.

Technical Shift from Foldables to Rollables

Samsung’s current foldable strategy relies on a fold, which creates a physical vertex in the display material. The new concepts utilize a different mechanical approach. By sliding the screen, the material maintains a consistent curve, which reduces stress on the organic light-emitting diode (OLED) layers.

The lab demonstrations included devices that can “slide” to reveal more screen real estate, providing a transition between a traditional phone and a larger productivity tool. This approach targets a more seamless user experience compared to the manual opening and closing of the Galaxy Z Fold.

Market Context and Form Factor Competition

The move toward rollables follows a broader industry trend of experimenting with “stretchable” and “slidable” screens. While Samsung has dominated the foldable market with the Z Fold and Z Flip lines, the company is now exploring ways to reduce the device thickness and improve durability by moving away from complex hinges.

Industry analysts have noted that rollable screens could potentially allow for larger displays in smaller chassis, a critical goal for manufacturers attempting to integrate tablet-level multitasking into a pocketable device. By utilizing a rollable mechanism, Samsung can theoretically increase the screen-to-body ratio beyond what is possible with static or folded glass.

These prototypes remain in the conceptual phase. Samsung has not provided a specific release date or pricing for a commercial rollable smartphone, but the press access to the secret display lab indicates a move toward finalizing these technologies for future hardware cycles.