Samsung Galaxy Note 3 Rumored To Have Flexible OLED Display, Unbreakable Wrap-Around Screen

The Galaxy Note 3 is the latest device churning the Samsung rumor mill and it seems to be picking up right where the Galaxy S4 left off by way of fanciful suggested specs.

Sources in Korea report that Samsung is gearing up to outfit its next “phablet” with a flexible OLED display that will essentially equip the device with an “unbreakable” screen, according to European retailer 3G.

Projected to use the same Samsung Youm technology the electronics giant showcased at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, such a display would likely wrap around the chassis of the Galaxy Note 3 rather than be implemented within it. Many have already considered the possibility that with such a technology, devices may not have to be made wider in order to have larger screens.

The flexible, wafer-thin component also reportedly absorbs force when dropped or mishandled, which would likely do away with the need to reinforce glass or plastic to resist impact, according to industry experts.

Samsung isn’t the only company experimenting with the idea of a flexible display. Apple Insider reported that Apple filed a patent Thursday for a device that looks eerily like a fourth or fifth generation iPod Nano, and features a wrap-around AMOLED display that can be rolled on or from the device at will, as well as stored within its chassis. The device does not seem to be a phone, tablet or phablet however, so there likely won’t be immediate competition surrounding this technology.

Many expected Samsung to use some version of Gorilla Glass as it usually does for its devices for the Galaxy Note 3. Gorilla Glass3, which was introduced in January, will soon be seen on the Galaxy S4 that will release in the coming weeks and months and notably boasts a massive five-inch display.

The Galaxy Note 3 is most commonly projected to have a 5.9-inch OLED display with full HD resolution; however, rumors are also playing around with the idea of a 6.3-inch screen, according to 3G; though rumors surrounding the Galaxy Note 3 are still in the very early stages. The device likely won’t be unveiled until September at the IFA Expo in Germany, where it is expected to debut alongside the Galaxy Tab 3 tablet.

The Note 3 is also expected to feature Samsung’s famous Exynos 5 Octa quad-core processor as well as its Smart Scroll and Smart Pause eye-tracking technology. The latter rumor seems likely as its predecessor; the Galaxy Note 2 was equipped with the Smart Stay feature that prompts a device’s screen to remain on as long as its user is looking at it. Just as the Galaxy S3 has this feature, the upcoming Galaxy S4 is equipped with Smart Scroll and Smart Pause as well as Smart Stay.

The device will also likely run Android 5.0 Key Lime Pie natively, as Google’s upcoming operating system will likely be unveiled at the Google I/O conference in May, with a release date projected for June or July.

The idea of an “unbreakable” display is really tantalizing, especially when you consider that such devices are pretty much rendered useless with broken screens. If true, this will likely be a major selling point as Samsung continues to up the ante with every device it releases.