Samsung Develops Vertically Rollable Smartphone Display
Reports say the device would extend its screen from 16:9 to 21:9 using an upward sliding mechanism.
Updated on Nov. 11, 2026 in Consumer Electronics
Samsung is reportedly developing a smartphone with a vertically rollable display that extends from a 16:9 to a 21:9 aspect ratio. The company has also trademarked the Galaxy Z Roll name, and a patent published earlier this year describes a related side-rolling design.
Why it matters
The reported design reflects a broader push by major manufacturers, including Motorola and Vivo, to move beyond fixed-size phone screens. For buyers worldwide, a phone that can switch between a compact and a wider display could change how people use the same device for media, multitasking and everyday apps.
The reported sliding mechanism would extend the display upward, shifting the screen from a 16:9 to a 21:9 aspect ratio. Samsung has not confirmed the specifications, and the tipster's report that battery capacity may be the main obstacle remains unverified.
The players
Samsung
Samsung is a South Korean electronics company known for its Galaxy smartphone line and its wide range of display and semiconductor products.
Motorola
Motorola is a smartphone brand owned by Lenovo that has experimented with foldable and rollable concept designs.
Vivo
Vivo is a Chinese smartphone manufacturer that competes with Samsung and other major brands in global mobile markets.
The details
The reported device uses a sliding mechanism that extends the display upwards, switching between a wider screen and a taller form factor. A Samsung patent published earlier this year describes a related side-rolling display, while Vivo is reportedly developing vertically rolling smartphones.
Timeline
Motorola showcased its Rizr concept phone with a rollable display at MWC 2023.
A Samsung patent describing a side-rolling display was published earlier this year.
Samsung would unveil its first rollable smartphone in the first half of 2028, possibly under the Galaxy Z Slide moniker.
The Tech Race
Samsung's reported design follows the rollable-display concept Motorola previewed at MWC 2023, signaling that rivals are converging on the same form factor. The move positions Samsung against Motorola and Vivo in a race to commercialize screens that change size.
A phone that switches between a standard and a wider screen could let users watch video and multitask without carrying a separate tablet. Any launch would still depend on battery performance, which the tipster flags as a key challenge.
The takeaway
Rollable screens are moving from concept to product planning across several brands. Readers should watch for official Samsung confirmation before assuming a launch date or final specifications.
Further reading
For more on how new screen designs reach buyers, explore our Consumer Electronics coverage.
