Samsung has showed off its new flip phone with a foldable screen in an advert two days before the device is due to be officially announced.
The Galaxy Z Flip, which is rumoured to have a 6.7-inch foldable display made of ‘ultra-thin’ glass, was revealed in an advert during Sunday’s Academy Awards ceremony.
The ad shows the phone, which comes in black or purple, relaying video calls while folded at various angles.
The device appears to stay open as it sits on a flat surface, suggesting users will be able to video chat hands-free.
The phone folds up to reveal a compact square, while the back of the hinge shows the embossed Samsung logo.
The tech giant is due to officially reveal both the Galaxy Z Flip and the Galaxy S20 at its Unpacked 2020 media event in San Francisco on Tuesday from 19:00 GMT.
Scroll down for video
The new phone comes in black and purple and can sit open on a flat surface so users can get a good angle will making video calls hands-free
There are two displays on the new device – one on the inside that folds on top of itself and a second outer screen that shows time, notifications and caller ID when the device is folded up.
In small print during the ad, Samsung warns: ‘You may notice a small crease in the centre of the main screen, which is a natural characteristic of the screen.’
Once unfolded, the main screen appears to separate into a video display section and a control panel
The very same warning can also be found on the marketing webpage for Samsung’s first foldable device, the Galaxy Fold smartphone, which was withdrawn after initial release last year due to susceptibility to screen damage.
Eagle-eyed viewers of the ad will also notice the text in the bottom right-hand corner that reads: ‘Google Duo is a trademark of Google LLC’ – showing the device will support Google’s video calling app for Android.
Earlier leaks of the Galaxy Z Flip suggest the new device will come with a 6.7-inch OLED screen and ‘ultra-thin glass’ screen and a metal case.
Small print in the ad warns viewers: ‘You may notice a small crease in the centre of the main screen, which is a natural characteristic of the screen.’ The warning follows complaints directed at the Galaxy Fold smartphone, released last year, which can pick creases and blemishes after a few folds
The ad shows the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip and its ability to stay open at a variety of angles
The base of the phone once folded shows the Samsung logo embossed in the metallic base
The phone will use USB-C and will not come with a physical headphone jack, the leak suggests, and will support wireless charging.
The Galaxy Z Flip is also expected to support 5G, the next-generation communications standard that allows super-fast internet speeds and downloads.
The Galaxy Z Flip will enter a the nascent market for foldable smartphones, which also includes the Huawei Mate X, the Motorola Razr and Samsung’s own £1,800 Galaxy Fold.
Also to be revealed on Tuesday evening, the Galaxy S20 will be the Korean tech giant’s next flagship and a follow-up to last year’s Galaxy S10 series.
The S20 line will include the standard S20, the slightly larger S20 Plus and the high-end S20 Ultra, which is rumoured to come with more advanced camera technology including ultra-wide, telephoto and macro lenses.
Leaked images of the Galaxy S20 Plus also show that the handset will feature a four-camera setup on the back, along with a flat screen and thin bezels.
It is believed that the S20 line will include both 4G and 5G variants of the S20 and S20 Plus handsets – meaning there could be at least four S20 devices revealed.
While the main 6.7-inch screen divides up for video calls, the Galaxy Z Flip forms a single display much like any other smartphone
Leaked photos appear to have confirmed that Samsung’s next flagship phone will indeed be called the Galaxy S20 as had previously been speculated. Pictured, a leaked image of the Galaxy S20 Plus
Samsung is also expected to announce more details regarding its first smart speaker, the Galaxy Home Mini.
In a now-deleted press release, Samsung revealed the new smart speaker will cost $83 (about £140) and will be equipped with its digital assistant Bixby.
Galaxy Home Mini will also come with 360-degree surround sound to play music and send and receive messages by voice command.
The Galaxy Home Mini (rendered above) will also likely be revealed tomorrow during Unpacked event, a major press event by Samsung
Samsung revealed what was originally planned to be its entry into the smart speaker market back in August 2018 – but the ‘Galaxy Home’ was never commercially released.
With the Galaxy Home Mini, Samsung will likely bypass the original Galaxy Home, which was mocked for its weird, cauldron-shaped design with tripod legs.
The homepage for the original Galaxy Home also now redirects to tomorrow’s Unpacked event.
The original design for Samsung’s first smart speaker resembled more of a cauldron or a rocket ship – and was never released