The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 is on its way, and there’s a small chance it may not include physical buttons. This information is based on a new Samsung patent that surfaced on WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organization), and was relayed by LetsGoDigital.
New patent suggests that the Galaxy Z Fold 3 may not include physical buttons, but that’s unlikely
In that patent, a foldable smartphone is shown, without physical buttons. Now, there’s always a slight chance this could be the Z Fold 3, as it does resemble it in regards to the design, but it probably is not.
Samsung does submit quite a few such design patents per year, and not many of them come to fruition. The timing of this patent also suggests that such tech probably won’t be a part of the Galaxy Z Fold 3.
An upcoming Samsung foldable may ditch physical buttons, though, there’s always a chance for that. Now, these new buttons are detailed in this patent, as they do have some interesting functionality.
These digital buttons rely heavily on gestures
These new sensors / digital buttons, which are expected to replace physical buttons, are expected to rely heavily on gestures. You can operate them by tapping them, or by using swipes. Gesture actions can also be assigned by the user, well, some of them.
Some actions can be activated by a simple tap, such as triggering the power button, for example. You can raise or lower the volume by using swipes, however. The squeeze functionality is also detailed. One of those squeeze gestures activates the Edge window, for example.
As a reminder, Samsung patented something similar for its flip foldable smartphone lineup as well. That patent surfaced last month. So, Samsung may implement such technology in its future foldables.
The Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Z Flip 3 are expected to launch in August. Both devices did surface in images, but those two leaks are kind of sketchy. We’ll have to wait for more information in order to be sure. Chances are that both phones will include physical buttons, though.
