Samsung has also patented a cell phone design, which appears to be an exciting hybrid of the versatility of the current Galaxy Z device and the convenient productivity of the Galaxy Note phone. This concept could eventually become the Galaxy Z Fold 4, but it is too early to tell.

The original patent, filed with China's CNIPA, was discovered by LetsGoDigital last month. And now, courtesy of Technizo Concepts and LGD, we have a delicious rendering of the original illustration to help us imagine how this phone might look and function.

This concept could eventually become the Galaxy Z Fold 4, but it is too early to tell. The design and features based on the patent are as follows.

LGD describes the phone as the "Galaxy Flex Notebook." This is based on a Samsung trademark filed earlier this year. The patent itself does not mention this name.

The design uses a folding method that can be described as "wardrobe-style," with the large fixed portion of the display on one side, while the smaller display and camera array can be folded to fit on the back. When both sides of the device are unfolded, the full width of the wraparound display is revealed, as well as the camera in case you want to take a selfie.

This makes the screen much less protected than the inner panel of the Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Galaxy Z Flip 3, but it matches other foldable devices with different styles, such as the original Huawei Mate X. There is also a cutout near the center of the back of the device that allows the stylus to stay in place when the entire device is folded.

The Galaxy Z Fold 3 can already use one of two different S-Pens, the first Samsung foldable to do so. However, neither version features a pen holster, and Samsung only offers a case that can hold the smaller S Pen Fold Edition. This patent, if it is brought to future phones, would greatly enhance their functionality.

Samsung's illustration shows two variations of the in-display camera: one shows a blank screen, possibly an under-display camera as seen on the Galaxy Z Fold 3 inner display. The other is a twin-punch hole cutout, something Samsung has never used on a cell phone before.

Interestingly, according to Samsung's patent, this will be the only camera array in the entire phone. The triple camera array on the back seen in the rendered image is an embellishment added by Technizo Concept. Given the poor quality of Samsung's current under-display cameras, and the general nature of ultra-wide-angle and telephoto cameras on flagship phones, it would be an odd decision if Samsung actually made a foldable without a dedicated rear camera array.

Of course, since this is a patent, there is no guarantee that this idea will become an actual product. Samsung Display supplies flexible screen components to other companies, so it may not even make it into Samsung phones at first.

Samsung's next phone may be the Galaxy S21 FE, but it is still unclear if this phone will actually appear. The next certainty is the Galaxy S22, which is expected to appear in January of next year; the S22 Ultra has also been the subject of S Pen-related rumors, which claim that it will replace the cancelled Galaxy Note 21 phone by offering built-in storage for the stylus It is claimed to be a replacement for the cancelled Galaxy Note 21 by offering built-in storage for the stylus.