Samsung to release dual-screen phone as part of project Valley, bringing us one step closer to the Galaxy X

Have you ever used two screens on your computer? It’s hard to go back to one right? Well Samsung are looking to bring dual-screens to your smartphone. According to Korean publications ET News and the investor Samsung are about to carry out pilot production of a dual-screen smartphone that has two displays side by side. The company has plans to release these prototypes as part of project valley this year. They expect to make between 2,000 and 3,000 units for testing in the first half of 2017. These phones are likely a prototype for Samsung’s much anticipated Galaxy X phone.

Before you get too excited it should be emphasized that these kind of numbers are no where near sufficient for the consumer market and it is doubtful the the dual-screen Galaxy X will be coming to a store near you any time soon. Samsung seems to be releasing the prototype to allow them to better understand the challenges that a foldable smart-phone presents . It will also let them dip their toes in the water and get an idea of the potential that a foldable smartphone represents.

Rumors point to the prototype featuring two rigid 5-inch OLED displays held together by a hinge. This is a design that has been seen in other consumer devices. This is pretty cool but it still a far-cry from the end goal of Project Valley, which is to have single bendable display that can be folded in half.

The idea of a dual-screen smartphone has been around for some time and it is Samsung has long toyed with the idea. Sadly it seems we will be forced to wait for a little while yet. Kim Tae-Woong, Samsung display’s principle engineer has said that It seems unlikely that we will see bendable displays until 2019 at the earliest.

While it is doubtful that any of us will be able to get our hands on any of the Project Valley prototypes it is a big step towards foldable smartphones and the Galaxy X.