Samsung patents foldable gaming handheld with Nintendo DS spirit

There has been speculation about a Samsung gaming handheld for some time now. A patent from last year helped fuel the rumors and indicated that Samsung has been considering the idea for some time. Lately, Samsung has been exploring new market segments, and portable consoles could be quite interesting. Now, another Samsung patent shows a new possible design for a gaming handheld.

Interestingly, all of Samsung’s gaming handheld patents discovered so far have one thing in common: a foldable screen. So, the company appears to be entering the market with a unique device that stands out from competitors. Samsung already showed a prototype of a foldable gaming handheld at the latest MWC 2025.

In both the 2024 patent and the “Flex Gaming” MWC 2025 prototype, the console featured a horizontal form factor, like most similar products (Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck, etc.). However, a new patent spotted by 91mobiles shows that Samsung has also been experimenting with a vertical gaming handheld.

Samsung’s patent shows a gaming handheld screen that partially folds while playing.

In some ways, Samsung’s new patent is reminiscent of a Nintendo DS. This is because the vertical screen converts into two smaller horizontal screens when partially folded. This could result in games with mechanics similar to those of the Nintendo DS. This means displaying a main section on the top half of the screen and another section with secondary controls or additional data (such as a map) on the bottom half.

Using the unfolded screen might be impractical for modern games. After all, most are designed to be played horizontally. That said, potential support for mobile games could make the vertical form factor useful. The Samsung gaming handheld shown in the patent can also be completely folded to improve its portability, like last year’s design.

On the other hand, the console’s controls are reminiscent of those of a PlayStation Portal. The patent doesn’t specify whether these controllers are detachable, but if they are, the device could become a tablet.

Like any patent, it’s not 100% certain that a similar product will ever reach the market. However, it reflects some very interesting ideas that could make it to other devices. Samsung seems intent on using foldable displays for a handheld gaming device. It remains to be seen whether the company will implement this idea in the near future.

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