Samsung is reportedly accelerating the development of a rollable smartphone that can expand from a compact device into an almost tablet-sized screen, but by sliding instead of folding.
According to South Korean outlet Maeil Business, Samsung Display is working toward launching the first commercial rollable Galaxy phone during the first half of 2028.
The device could debut alongside the Galaxy S28 series or become part of the lineup.
We have seen several rollable phone concepts from other companies before, but this would be the first time a rollable phone becomes commercially available to customers.
The upcoming device is reportedly expected to use the Galaxy Z Slide name, although Samsung has not officially confirmed it.
Rumours suggest it could feature a 10-inch display with a 16:9 aspect ratio and a pixel density of about 440 pixels per inch.
A second rollable model could follow in 2030.
Samsung remains a dominant name in foldable devices, but Samsung Display has lost part of its share of the foldable smartphone panel market.
According to Omdia, its shipment share fell from 41.8 percent in the fourth quarter of 2025 to 27 percent in the first quarter of 2026.
Increasing competition in the foldable market may be pushing Samsung toward rollable devices as it looks to raise the technical barrier for rivals.
Rollable displays are more difficult to produce than conventional foldable screens.
The panel must repeatedly roll and unroll without developing waves, creases, or uneven areas.
The internal rollers, display layers, and supporting structure must operate with high precision while keeping the phone thin and light enough for daily use.
The screen must also remain flat and maintain consistent image quality after it has fully expanded.
Samsung Display has been developing foldable, slidable, and rollable screen technologies for several years.
At CES 2023, it introduced the Flex Hybrid, a prototype that combined folding and sliding display systems.
Later that year, Samsung Display showed the Rollable Flex prototype at SID Display Week.
The screen expanded from 49mm to more than 254mm, increasing its length by more than five times.
A commercial rollable phone could remain compact while closed and expand into a near-tablet-sized device when needed.
The larger screen could be used for watching videos, multitasking, and productivity work.
The rollable mechanism could also avoid the visible crease found on current foldable smartphones.
The device is expected to carry a high price, meaning Samsung would need to deliver a premium design and reliable rolling mechanism to justify its cost.
Samsung has not officially announced the Galaxy Z Slide or confirmed its launch date.
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