New renderings of the Samsung Galaxy Fold 2, purportedly based on patents, have been released on the web courtesy of @xleaks7 and Pigtou.

If these renderings are accurate, the Fold 2 could have an even worse exterior display than the original model, looking more like a strip than a full touchscreen. [This would definitely be a controversial design decision, especially since display analyst Ross Young tweeted in April that the Fold 2's exterior screen would grow from 4.6 inches to 6.2 inches The Galaxy Fold 2's main display is 7.7 inches which is rumored to be so huge that it would be awkward to allow users to use such a large panel just to reply to a text, for example.

If the strip were to function like the small exterior display of the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip, it would be used primarily for notifications, or at least to provide the ability to receive and reject calls. It would use the main display almost all the time.

On the plus side, this design could reduce the cost of Samsung's second-generation foldable. It also definitely brings a more attractive aesthetic than last year's Fold's outer screen.

Notable screen differences aside, the next Galaxy Fold is also said to incorporate a redesigned hinge that will allow the device to fold flat on both sides, much like the Z Flip. [When the original Galaxy Fold was closed, there was an unsightly gap that allowed dust and debris to get inside the device and behind the flexible display, pushing it up from the inside and damaging the expensive plastic panel.

Inside, the primary screen of the Galaxy Fold 2 looks almost identical. This is not particularly surprising given that we have heard that Samsung intends to use the same basic casing for this upcoming model; Pigtou notes that there is what appears to be an alert slider on the left side of the phone, similar to the one on the OnePlus device. This is a handy feature that allows one to easily turn off the phone without having to unlock it, something all manufacturers should emulate.

Interestingly, the only thing on the back of this rendered image of the Fold 2 is the dual-lens camera module. It looks rather plain compared to the quad-optical systems that Samsung has been incorporating in its flagship products of late, but it is defensible here. Foldable devices like this are, after all, more about design and productivity than photography, and a four-camera stack may not fit Samsung's priority of shipping the Fold 2 at a relatively affordable price.

Looking at this render, we have to wonder if what we are looking at is the cheaper Galaxy Fold Lite, which is rumored to be released at some point. Perhaps Samsung will take the cheaper Galaxy Fold with a narrow strip for the external display and fewer camera lenses, along with a more premium model with a panel that fills most of the front of the device and optics taken from the likes of Samsung's Galaxy S20 Ultra would be offered.

Overall, this rendering is an attractive potential variation of the Lite, and Samsung would be well advised to ship it. Nevertheless, this is only a mockup based on a combination of patents and leaks, and hardly supports the company's future plans; with an Unpacked event reportedly scheduled for August 5, it remains to be seen how much of this design will make it into Samsung's final foldable device. we may have to wait a month or more to find out.