Samsung may be setting its sights on the handheld gaming market, as indicated by a recently uncovered patent document. Should such a device be introduced, it would enter a competitive landscape alongside established products like the Nintendo Switch, Asus ROG Ally X, and Steam Deck. Notably, Samsung’s proposed gaming console could feature a foldable design, enhancing portability compared to current offerings.
Overview of Samsung’s Proposed Gaming Console
A patent document (via 91Mobiles) describing an “electronic games console” has been assigned to Samsung Display. This document includes illustrations showcasing various angles of the potential device alongside its proposed features.
Illustrations within the patent (Fig. 8) suggest that the handheld gaming console could mimic the form factor of Samsung’s existing Galaxy Z Flip series. The foldable design may provide significant advantages over other devices currently on the market.
Illustrations for the “Electronic games console”
Photo Credit: WIPO/ Samsung
Although it resembles a clamshell-style foldable phone, additional images (Fig. 1) indicate that the device may be equipped with components like joysticks. Figures 2 and 3 illustrate the positioning of these raised elements, necessary for the two halves to close properly.
Clearly, the patent details a foldable gaming console, which necessitates the inclusion of protective technologies to safeguard the display during use. Fig. 3 reveals a potential crease on the display, hinting at design considerations for durability.
In its folded state (Fig. 11 and Fig. 12), some controls may be accessible from the sides of the device, based on the images in the patent. Meanwhile, Fig. 13 provides insight into the hinge mechanism connecting the device’s two halves.
While the filing of a patent does not guarantee that Samsung will bring such a product to market, it raises intriguing possibilities for how a foldable gaming console might perform within the highly competitive gaming industry.
