SlashGear

Samsung has combined two popular cell phone form factors into one design, inventing the sliding-clamshell.

Having advantages of both sliding and folding phones, the new form is built from a soft cover, allowing the body to slide lengthwise as well as become extended and folded.

According to the patent application, clamshell phones have an advantage in portability due to their compact size; however the screen is typically very small. By contrast, sliding phones have large screens, but are often large. Additionally, LCDs on sliders are typically exposed without a protective cover, making them more susceptible to damage. Samsung’s sliding-clamshell invention attempts to solve these problems by having a large, protected display while keeping a compact size.