Samsung may release two smartphones with bendable OLED screens in 2017, according to a new report from Bloomberg Technology. "People familiar with the matter" claim that one model is a flip phone that folds in half, not unlike Samsung's China-only SM-W2016, while the second will feature a 5-inch display that "unfurls" into a tablet-sized 8-inch panel. The devices could appear as soon as February, when Mobile World Congress takes place in Barcelona.

While the report may seem a little far-fetched, this is not the first time Samsung has been linked to flexible displays. Reports on "Project Valley"—the apparent codename for the devices—date back as far as early 2015, although those reports initially claimed Samsung was aiming for a 2016 release. Moreover, Samsung thenceforth released the well-received Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge, with the latter featuring a curved AMOLED display.

Samsung did, however, showcase its foldable display technology at SID Display Week 2016, with Slashgear capturing the display in action. According to the site, when fully opened the 5.7-inch 1080p display is just 0.3mm thin, and can be rolled into a tube with a 10mm radius. The display shown didn't feature a touch layer, which would likely add to the overall thickness and reduce the display's flexibility.

Samsung has also filed numerous patents for foldable devices and flexible screens over the past few years. The latest, revealed just over a week ago by Patently Mobile, shows what looks like a standard Galaxy phone with a charge port-hiding hinge in the middle that allows the phone to fold in half. While patents of this type don't necessarily mean Samsung will release such a device, they do indicate the company is at least actively researching along these lines.

While flip phones remain extremely popular in places like Japan and China, the demand for the once-dominant form factor in Western markets is low. However, there are signs that flip phones are due a comeback. Flat or falling smartphone sales are encouraging manufacturers to come up with more differentiated form factors in order to drum up interest—see, for example, the likes of the LG G5 with its modular expansion slot—while some reports whisper that Apple might be switching from LCD to OLED in order to make a bezel-free device.

Motorola was even said to be bringing back its iconic Razr flip phone thanks to an advert it released for its upcoming Lenovo Tech World conference in San Francisco. Unfortunately, the company has since denied the return of the Razr, saying instead: "We love how the throwback video has been embraced and the excitement it has generated. The Razr was one of the most iconic phones ever designed and redefined how stylish a mobile phone can be. While Moto is not re-releasing the RAZR, we will transform mobile again on June 9."