It looks like Samsung is now taking the first steps to introduce its first-ever foldable smartphone, a handset informally dubbed as the Galaxy X. According to the latest reports, the initial production phase of the Samsung Galaxy X will start sometime this year, however, instead of a 2018 release, the device is now expected to hit the shelves in early 2019.

According to the South Korean online publication ETNews, the manufacturing of the Samsung Galaxy X's foldable displays will commence this March. By September, the tech giant is expected to start producing the panels to be used in the Galaxy X units, while the manufacturing of the actual phone will begin in November. Assuming that the last stage of production will take several weeks, the Galaxy X will be ready in 2019, which is a little bit behind schedule.

Prior to the early 2019 release date rumor for the Samsung Galaxy X, several patent drawings have already surfaced online, giving the public an idea on what the fabled Galaxy device would look like. The latest patent render obatined by the Dutch tech website LetsGoDigital shows a mobile device similar to a notebook, which can be opened to become a widescreen tablet. The handset is composed of two identical screen displays that are hinged together, allowing the users to fold the device inwards or outwards. The Galaxy X device described in the patent is similar to Nintendo DS handheld, in which a secondary display can also serve as a touchpad.

As of now, it is believed that the Samsung Galaxy X will sport a 7.3-inch flexible OLED display that can fold inward. If the rumors are anything to go by, this Galaxy X set-up has already been previewed to selected particpants of the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2018. The Investor claims that the Samsung Galaxy X prototypes were secretly present during the tech expo, including an in-folding device. 

It is not expected that Samsung's first foldable Galaxy handset will actually be called the Galaxy X. Although, the company revealed that the Galaxy X will fall under the company's Galaxy Note series, and was given a 2018 target release date.