Samsung's Slap Bracelet folding phone patent brings the tall iPhone 5 meme to life

Flexible screens allow for all kinds of bizarre form factors, but one of the most hilarious tends to be the slap bracelet smartphone, where a flexible phone wraps around your wrist, but then unfolds for full functionality when you need it.

It seems Samsung was not going to leave that form factor alone and has applied for a patent at the WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organization) for a “Shape retaining structure of electronic device and electronic device including same” which was published on March 7, 2019.

The design features a slider (at the arrow above) which would lock the bracelet in phone mode so it does not curl up spontaneously.

It also features a magnet system to keep the two ends connected in phone mode, and the patent notes that the links can be made of stainless steel and be designed to feel smooth and comfortable.

LetsGoDigital has posted some renders of what such a device should look like, which can be seen below:

The design however reminds me of another render from a few years ago, when Apple added an extra row of icons to the iPhone 5.

Apple was of course also first with a bendable phone proving that Apple is once again out-innovating everyone else.

See the patent here.