Samsung’s Next Galaxy Z Flip Foldable Could Have a Display With a Speaker Built Into It: Report

Another type of ear speaker on the rumored Samsung Z Flip clamshell style foldable will enable one to answer calls in a more discreet manner, even folded. So far, users only get to answer calls on the Galaxy Z Flip 6 by using the speaker on the phone when it’s closed, thereby not providing a means of having a private call and thus has to flip open the foldable in order to answer the call privately. Samsung and LG are rumored to be developing a new solution that would potentially overcome this restriction, giving more space in the smartphone for other components.

The South Korean electronics giants are reported by Sisa Journal to now be teaming up in the development of a brand-new type of display that will replace the standard ear speaker found on most smartphones. It is mainly developed for foldable devices, especially clamshell models, which currently require being opened fully in order to make private calls.

As an example, a fresh screen display already under development will employ piezoelectric technology wherein an earpiece’s function is purportedly simulated by vibrating the screen to produce sound. It should really be able enough to replace the ear speaker found in the back of all hole punch displays on all modern smartphones.

Embedded within the layer of a fresh display piezoelectric speaker, according to a report, this would not need any additional equipment. It is said to help reduce the need for dedicated ear speakers which will rob some space behind the display at the top of the smartphone. This would then make room for other components which is always good to have given the space restrictions inside most clamshell foldables.

According to researchers, the ability to integrate this speaker technology with a cover display has opened the possibility to have two audio sources, and for the first time, users can place their ear directly onto the cover display and answer calls in private.

The use of piezoelectric technology is not new. In fact, it was Xiaomi’s Mi Mix that was the first brand to introduce the technology in a production smartphone way back in 2016. The device (that only went on sale in China) featured a piezoelectric acoustic ceramic earpiece speaker, as well as the ultrasonic proximity sensor instead of the traditional front-facing infrared sensor in its efforts to go bezel-less (at least around the top of the smartphone).

The selfie camera found a rather awkward place for itself in a thick bezel at the bottom, leaving the top distraction-free for viewing. The phone further boasted of a ceramic rear panel. The phone finally arrived in the nation as the Mi Mix 2, skipping the latest speaker technology in place of an old one.

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