Photo credit: X/@HDblogThe South Korean electronics giant may be getting ready to launch more than just foldable smartphones very soon. According to a recent report, Samsung is apparently planning on releasing the world's first rollable smartphone. The phone would essentially offer a tablet-sized screen that could expand from the dimensions of a normal smartphone.Despite the fact that Samsung hasn't confirmed the development yet, reports say that development of the rollable screen technology has picked up pace recently, and the company plans to commercially release the product sometime during the first half of 2028. If things go according to plan, the smartphone would mark Samsung's next big innovation in the premium smartphone space after years of working on foldable displays.Key Takeaways Samsung is planning to launch its first rollable smartphone in the first half of 2028. The smartphone is expected to have an expandable 10-inch screen with a 16:9 aspect ratio. Currently, it is believed that the rollable smartphone will make its debut as the Galaxy Z Slide. Samsung is also reportedly working on another rollable smartphone that could see the light of day by 2030. The company hasn't confirmed the rollable smartphone yet.Samsung may be preparing its first rollable smartphoneBased on information provided by a report in South Korean magazine Maeil Business, Samsung Display is ramping up the development process of its rollable display technology to launch its first rollable smartphone in the first six months of 2028. In the report, the project has been described as the next big display breakthrough for Samsung, hinting at the possibility of the next-generation smartphone replacing foldable smartphones.Though the exact name of the gadget has yet to be finalised, the rumoured name of the phone is Galaxy Z Slide. Moreover, in another interesting piece of information, it was revealed that Samsung has also begun thinking about its next rollable smartphone that may hit the market by 2030.Expandable display could transform from phone to tabletThe standout feature everyone’s talking about is the display. Instead of relying on hinges like most foldable phones out there, Samsung’s rollable phone is set to actually expand its screen when you want more space. Reports say you’ll be able to stretch it out to a full 10-inch display with a 16:9 aspect ratio - that’s basically in tablet territory.It’s also supposed to pack about 440ppi, so everything from reading to watching movies should look crisp and sharp. When it’s not rolled out, the device fits right in your pocket like any other phone. But when you need more room, it transforms, and you don’t have to deal with those distracting creases you see on current foldables. That’s the appeal here: a sleek phone that quickly turns into a much bigger screen, clean and seamless.Growing competition could be driving Samsung's strategyIn addition, the report points out that Samsung's move to concentrate more on developing rollable smartphones has come in light of growing competition within the foldable market segment.Based on the statistics provided by Omdia, a market research company, Samsung's market share of the foldable display panels fell from 41.8 per cent in the last quarter of 2025 to 27 per cent in the first quarter of 2026. It appears that Samsung is exploring the possibility of producing rollable smartphones to make its presence felt in the premium smartphone segment.A successful rollable smartphone can enable Samsung to stand apart from its competitors as well as carve out a niche for itself in the luxury smartphone market.Engineering challenges remain before commercial launchWhile the concept of a rollable smartphone sounds promising, bringing such a device to consumers is expected to be far more challenging than developing conventional foldable phones.According to the report, engineers need to ensure that both the flexible display and the internal rolling mechanism can withstand repeated expansion and retraction without affecting durability or performance. At the same time, Samsung is also expected to maintain a slim profile so that the device remains practical for everyday use.These engineering hurdles explain why commercial rollable smartphones have taken longer to reach the market compared to foldable devices.Samsung has already showcased similar display conceptsThough no commercial rollable smartphones have been revealed by Samsung till now, the South Korean tech giant has revealed many concepts in recent years which give an indication about where the technology is headed.At CES 2023, Samsung introduced the Flex Hybrid concept that had both foldable as well as sliding technology within one screen. After this, at SID Display Week, Samsung displayed the Rollable Flex concept, which could expand itself from 49mm to 254mm and more. Through these concepts, it can be seen that Samsung has been working on developing displays that can alter their size based on the use.Though concepts don't always turn into commercial products, they clearly show that Samsung has been developing this technology.Commercial launch still awaits official confirmationNevertheless, no official statement has been released by Samsung concerning their plans for a rollable phone or any possible release date.If the latest report proves accurate, the company's first rollable handset could arrive in 2028, offering users a device that expands from a conventional smartphone into a tablet-sized display for activities such as multitasking, productivity and video playback.Until Samsung makes an official announcement, however, details surrounding the device - including its specifications, branding and launch timeline - should be treated as reports rather than confirmed information.Frequently Asked QuestionsQ1. In what year does Samsung plan to release the company’s first rollable smartphone?As per the report, Samsung is looking to commercially release the first rollable smartphone by Samsung in the first half of 2028, despite no confirmation from the company.Q2. What might be the name of the rollable smartphone that Samsung is developing?Currently, rumours suggest that the device may be released under the name Galaxy Z Slide; however, there is no confirmation on that matter yet.Q3. What is Samsung’s motivation behind developing rollable phones?Samsung is allegedly interested in developing rollable phones as a way to establish itself in the premium smartphone market while the competition in the foldable market keeps rising.Q4. Has Samsung revealed anything related to rollable displays in the past?Yes, Samsung has introduced some rollable displays in the form of Flex Hybrid at CES 2023 and Rollable Flex at SID Display Week.end of article