Samsung says it aims to launch a foldable smartphone next year under its Galaxy Note brand.
Koh Dong-jin, president of mobile business at Samsung Electronics, said the company is setting its eyes on 2018 to release a smartphone with a bendable display but there are several hurdles it has to overcome.
He did not elaborate. Analysts said mass-producing a foldable phone with top tech features and a thin body will take time.
When Samsung will release its first foldable phone has been a perennial question in the market since Samsung first showcased a flexible display prototype called Youm in 2013.
For at least the past two years, there have been rumours that Samsung is close to showing off its first smartphones that can be folded.