Jenith
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Samsung Display has countless ambitious ideas regarding all the possible use cases for its foldable display technology. It's trying to attract clients through various bold concepts. We've seen many at trade shows, such as CES, and let's just say that some concepts look more feasible than others.
In the not-so-feasible category, I must say I have almost no hope for Samsung to develop a foldable gaming console or find clients for a foldable screen that would fit a handheld gaming console. And yes, Samsung Display has entertained this idea a couple of times already.
Earlier this year, the company revealed a new Flex Gaming concept device. It's a foldable handheld gaming console with a 7.2-inch OLED panel that folds like a book.
https://www.imeisource.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Samsung-Display-Flex-Gaming-At-MWC-2025.jpg
Image credit: Samsung
This version of Flex Gaming wasn't the first. Two years ago, Samsung Display also demonstrated a concept that folds on the other axis, similar to a Nintendo DS.
Although these concepts can attract visitors at trade shows, I strongly doubt they can become a reality anytime soon. Why? I believe handheld gaming consoles are fundamentally different than foldable phones, and each of these product categories has a different core audience.
The problems I see boil down to foldable screen durability and different upgrade cycles for these two very different market segments, i.e., mobile devices and gaming consoles.
Although Samsung Display and the MX Division have improved the durability of foldable screens and Galaxy Z devices, they're not made from Nintendium. Foldable displays have a higher rate of failure than rigid ones, but many foldable phone fans are willing to overlook this shortcoming because they know they will upgrade to the next model next year or the year after that.
Unless addressed at some point in the future, this inherent durability problem of foldable display technology would stand in the way of foldable handheld gaming consoles gaining any real traction. Especially since handheld gaming consoles usually take a beating. They're exposed to backpacks, dust, and carelessness from younger gamers.
Not for nothing, handheld gaming consoles are usually made to last and are cheaper than foldable phones. Besides, consoles in general, regardless of whether or not they are portable, have a much longer upgrade cycle than phones. Gaming consoles are usually expected to stay relevant for up to ten years.
Speaking as someone who has used the original Nintendo Game Boy and owns a Nintendo Switch and an Xbox Series S, I can tell you would not be happy with a yearly upgrade cycle for my gaming devices. And I think the majority of console gamers are in the same boat. Game developers would probably frown at the idea also.
As cool as Samsung Display's foldable handheld gaming console concepts might seem, I see no reason to hope for such devices becoming real in the foreseeable future. I don't believe foldable display technology is compatible with the handheld console market. Not yet. And it may take years or a foldable display tech revolution to change that.
Some brand could eventually be brave enough to manufacture a glorified Android mobile gaming console equipped with an expensive Samsung foldable display, but that's as far as I can see this journey going. Call me a pessimist, but I don't see such a device succeeding in the current climate.
The post Why I have almost no hope for a Samsung foldable gaming console appeared first on imeisource.
In the not-so-feasible category, I must say I have almost no hope for Samsung to develop a foldable gaming console or find clients for a foldable screen that would fit a handheld gaming console. And yes, Samsung Display has entertained this idea a couple of times already.
Earlier this year, the company revealed a new Flex Gaming concept device. It's a foldable handheld gaming console with a 7.2-inch OLED panel that folds like a book.
https://www.imeisource.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Samsung-Display-Flex-Gaming-At-MWC-2025.jpg
Image credit: Samsung
This version of Flex Gaming wasn't the first. Two years ago, Samsung Display also demonstrated a concept that folds on the other axis, similar to a Nintendo DS.
Although these concepts can attract visitors at trade shows, I strongly doubt they can become a reality anytime soon. Why? I believe handheld gaming consoles are fundamentally different than foldable phones, and each of these product categories has a different core audience.
Different expectations and vastly different upgrade cycles
The problems I see boil down to foldable screen durability and different upgrade cycles for these two very different market segments, i.e., mobile devices and gaming consoles.
Although Samsung Display and the MX Division have improved the durability of foldable screens and Galaxy Z devices, they're not made from Nintendium. Foldable displays have a higher rate of failure than rigid ones, but many foldable phone fans are willing to overlook this shortcoming because they know they will upgrade to the next model next year or the year after that.
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Samsung e-shopUnless addressed at some point in the future, this inherent durability problem of foldable display technology would stand in the way of foldable handheld gaming consoles gaining any real traction. Especially since handheld gaming consoles usually take a beating. They're exposed to backpacks, dust, and carelessness from younger gamers.
Not for nothing, handheld gaming consoles are usually made to last and are cheaper than foldable phones. Besides, consoles in general, regardless of whether or not they are portable, have a much longer upgrade cycle than phones. Gaming consoles are usually expected to stay relevant for up to ten years.
Speaking as someone who has used the original Nintendo Game Boy and owns a Nintendo Switch and an Xbox Series S, I can tell you would not be happy with a yearly upgrade cycle for my gaming devices. And I think the majority of console gamers are in the same boat. Game developers would probably frown at the idea also.
As cool as Samsung Display's foldable handheld gaming console concepts might seem, I see no reason to hope for such devices becoming real in the foreseeable future. I don't believe foldable display technology is compatible with the handheld console market. Not yet. And it may take years or a foldable display tech revolution to change that.
Some brand could eventually be brave enough to manufacture a glorified Android mobile gaming console equipped with an expensive Samsung foldable display, but that's as far as I can see this journey going. Call me a pessimist, but I don't see such a device succeeding in the current climate.
The post Why I have almost no hope for a Samsung foldable gaming console appeared first on imeisource.