Rollable-display smartphones have been a futuristic dream for years, but we still don’t have a single model available for purchase. That could finally change in a few years, if a new report out of Korea is to be believed.
According to unnamed industry sources, Samsung Display is determined to dominate the rollable display market. The company is reportedly feeling significant pressure from Chinese panel makers in the foldable space, which has pushed it to accelerate its rollable technology development.
As a result, Samsung Display is said to be in discussions with Samsung Electronics to supply rollable screens for a smartphone targeting a release in the first half of 2028. This information has reportedly been confirmed by a Samsung Electronics official.
Today’s report suggests the smartphone could be called the Galaxy Z Trot, though Samsung has also trademarked the name Galaxy Z Roll, so either name might end up being used. A market research firm has predicted the device could feature a 10-inch display with a 16:9 aspect ratio and 440.6 ppi. A successor is expected to launch in 2030.
Of course, all of this sounds great in theory, but rollable screens are still far more complex to manufacture than foldable ones due to their added structural requirements. Even so, Samsung Display has been working on this technology for years — back in 2023 it showed off its first concepts, and it has since been supplying panels for Lenovo’s rollable laptops.
Unlike the foldable market — where BOE caught up with Samsung Display and even managed to lead the market in the first quarter of this year — Samsung Display is reportedly far ahead in rollables. This means it could essentially have the market to itself, at least for the first few years. That’s precisely why it’s crucial for Samsung Electronics to get on board and start making rollable-screen smartphones a reality.
Source (in Korean)
