Samsung was instrumental in making foldables mainstream as we know them, with the original Galaxy Z Fold launched in 2019. Then the company started the compact, wide trend with this year’s Galaxy Z Fold 8, and now it seems to be taking its first steps to kick off another category. Samsung could be exploring another way to make smartphone screens larger without making the device bulkier. A new leak suggests the company is developing a phone with a vertically sliding display that changes from a 16:9 aspect ratio to 21:9 when extended. The design would be different from the sideways-expanding rollable phones demonstrated by several manufacturers so far.
Samsung slidable phone
The information comes from tipster Ice Universe, who has shared concept images of the alleged device. Samsung hasn’t confirmed the project, so everything should be treated as leaks for now. However, there’s some history behind the idea. At MWC 2026, Samsung Display showcased a Mobile Slidable concept that expanded upwards, taking its screen from 5.1 inches to 6.7 inches. The panel moved from a 16:9 format to 22:9 when extended. However, the prototype was still under development and didn’t have a motorised mechanism.
Samsung is developing a phone with a display that can extend from 16:9 to 21:9. Some people prefer a wider screen, while others like a taller form factor. This design could accommodate both, letting users adjust the proportions to suit what they’re doing. If Samsung can make it work, it could be a very appealing solution. Battery capacity is the big challenge, though. The sliding mechanism would take up a considerable amount of internal space, leaving less room for the battery. How much capacity could Samsung fit inside? And would it deliver enough battery life with the screen fully extended? Those are questions it needs to answer before this becomes a practical everyday device.
— Ice Universe (@UniverseIce) November 11, 2026
A Samsung patent published in October offers another clue. It describes a device made up of two housing sections that slide relative to each other, with a flexible display connecting them. The arrangement is broadly in line with the latest leak, although a patent doesn’t mean Samsung intends to sell a phone based on it. The 16:9 and 21:9 figures may also have been inferred from the leaked concept images.
Samsung has experimented with expandable displays for years. Its earlier Flex Hybrid concept combined folding and sliding technology, while the Rollable Flex prototype demonstrated how an OLED panel could expand considerably beyond its original size. These were Samsung Display demonstrations, however, and not commercial smartphones.
A sliding screen could give users a more compact phone for everyday use and additional display space when needed. The shorter format may suit basic tasks, while the extended screen could be useful for reading, browsing and watching widescreen content. Getting that mechanism into a phone is another matter, of course. Motors, rails and the flexible display would take up internal space that could otherwise accommodate a larger battery or other components. The mechanism would also need to withstand repeated movement without damaging the panel. Samsung would have to address these concerns before the design could become a practical alternative to conventional foldables. Motorola and OPPO have also demonstrated rollable phone concepts, including designs that expand sideways. However, these experiments have not resulted in widely available commercial smartphones.
Separately, reports have suggested Samsung is targeting the first half of 2028 for its first commercial rollable smartphone. The device could be marketed as the Galaxy Z Roll, though Samsung has not confirmed the name or launch timeline. It’s not clear whether the phone in Ice Universe’s latest leak is this same project or a separate design. There’s no confirmed price, launch date or India availability for either device. Anyone considering a premium Samsung phone today would be better served by looking at the existing Galaxy Z Fold lineup rather than waiting for a concept that may still be years away.
