Samsung may launch a rollable smartphone, tentatively called the “Z Slide,” during the first half of 2028, according to a report from the Korean outlet Money Today. The device is expected to feature a 10-inch panel with a 16:9 aspect ratio and 440.6 ppi, utilizing motorized internal tracks to slide out a hidden portion of the screen.
How does a rollable screen differ from a foldable?
Rollable smartphones use flexible OLED displays that slide out like a scroll rather than folding over a hinge. According to Money Today, this creates “structural complexity” and “technical difficulty” that exceeds the requirements of foldable devices.
The primary engineering hurdle involves tensile stress. The display must withstand repetitive bending and rolling without losing image quality uniformity or flatness. While foldable phones like the Galaxy Z Fold are mentioned, rollables must maintain a consistent surface as the panel expands and retracts.
What other rollable devices currently exist?
While a mass-market rollable phone hasn’t arrived, the technology exists in larger formats. LG released the Signature OLED R, a rollable smart TV, though it carried a prohibitive $100,000 price tag.
In the computing space, Lenovo released the ThinkBook Plus Gen 6 Rollable in June 2025. This laptop uses a rollable mechanism activated by a button or hand gestures, allowing a 14-inch display to extend vertically to 16.7 inches.
Comparison: Current Rollable Implementations
| Device | Form Factor | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|
| LG Signature OLED R | Television | Retractable screen; $100k price |
| Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 6 | Laptop | 14″ to 16.7″ vertical extension |
| Samsung Z Slide (Projected) | Smartphone | 10-inch panel; 440.6 ppi |
Why haven’t we seen these phones in stores yet?
Multiple companies have demoed rollable phones since 2021, including Motorola, Oppo, Tecno, and LG. However, moving from a prototype to a retail product is difficult. LG exited the smartphone business entirely before its rollable attempts reached mainstream production.
Despite the exit, LG’s prototypes were widely documented. Tech reviewer Marques Brownlee shared videos of these devices, showing that the hardware was largely functional, even if not commercially viable at the time.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will the Samsung Z Slide be released?
According to Money Today, Samsung could potentially launch the device during the first half of 2028.
What is the screen size of the rollable Samsung phone?
The Z Slide is expected to feature a 10-inch panel with a 16:9 aspect ratio.
Is a rollable phone better than a foldable phone?
Rollables feature flexible OLED displays and motorized internal tracks, which present greater structural complexity than foldable displays.
What do you think? Would you trade the durability of a standard slab phone for a 10-inch rolling screen? Let us know in the comments or subscribe to our newsletter for more hardware updates.
