Samsung Patent Shows Possible Notched Device Plans

Samsung fans may find themselves included in the latest screen notch trends following the discovery of at least two new patents filed by the company in late March. However, as is always the case with patents, it may be a good idea not to jump to conclusions just yet. Of those two patents, reportedly filed with the State Intellectual Property Office (SIPO), only one showed a smartphone with the now infamous iPhone X-like feature. In the first patent, the notch is of course used to house the camera, sensors, and earpiece. In the other, those are noticeably absent and could be embedded in the screen itself. The rest of the device design shown, meanwhile, appears to be a huge step in the right direction.

Not least of all, that’s because both patents show a device which features a display stretching from edge to edge in both vertical and horizontal directions. In either device, any bezels that are included are nearly non-existent. Although it’s hard to say if these would be used in a flagship or not, the other design cues are those commonly seen in most of Samsung’s devices. The volume rockers in either design are located along the left-hand edge, while the power button is located along the right. In both designs, a USB Type-C port is clearly visible. Of course, not everything is the same between the two either. The notched design shows Samsung’s trademark single bottom-firing speaker and a headphone jack on either side of the charging port. The second device shows only the USB plug and two bottom-firing speakers. On the rear panel, there’s no indication of a fingerprint scanner at all for either device. Although iris or face scanning can be used instead, it could be considered sacrilege for any modern handset to omit fingerprint security. So if that is present in these designs, it is likely embedded in the screen. Meanwhile, the notched design shows a dual main camera array while the second patent touts a single primary snapper.

As is always the case, whether or not either design survives through to the final cut remains to be seen. Samsung is among the most prominent smartphone manufacturers with regard to sales, design, performance, and patent filings. So it’s important to bear in mind that not every patent will ever be put to use.