Samsung patents phone frame that acts as an antenna
Samsung has filed a patent for a smartphone design where the metal frame doubles as part of the wireless antenna. The design uses a flexible circuit board with a specific conductive section to connect the frame to the phone's main circuit board, allowing the housing to help transmit signals.
In the filing’s own words
An electronic device including an antenna is provided. The electronic device includes an outer housing including the side surface of the electronic device, a display device of which at least a portion is exposed through a first surface of the outer housing, the display device including a plurality of layers, which includes a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) layer, the FPCB layer including a first portion and a second portion divided from the first portion, and the second portion including a conductive member formed in a partial area of an edge of the FPCB layer, a printed circuit board disposed between a second surface of the outer housing and the display device, a feeding line for connecting a communication circuit on the printed circuit board to the outer housing to feed power to the outer housing, and a ground line for connecting the conductive member to the printed circuit board.
What exactly they claim (claim 1)
1. An electronic device comprising: an outer housing including a first surface oriented in a first direction, a second surface oriented in a second direction opposite to the first direction, and a side surface surrounding a space between the first surface and the second surface; a display device which is exposed, at least in part, through the first surface of the outer housing, the display device including a plurality of layers including an flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) layer, the FPCB layer including a first portion and a second portion separated from the first portion, and the second portion including a conductive member formed in a portion of an edge of the FPCB layer; a printed circuit board disposed between the second surface of the outer housing and the display device; a feeding line connecting a communication circuit on the printed circuit board to the outer housing so as to feed power to the outer housing; and a grounding line connecting the conductive member to the printed circuit board, wherein the grounding line is included in a connector that connects the printed circuit board to the display device.
Facts
- Company
- Samsung (Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.)
- Official title
- ELECTRONIC DEVICE COMPRISING ANTENNA
- Publication number
- US20260321966A1
- Application number
- 19465078
- Filed
- Jan 30, 2026
- Published
- Oct 15, 2026
- Inventors
- 6
- Claims
- 18
Classified under
H01Q 1/273 Electricity & electronicsH01Q 1/42 Electricity & electronicsMore from Samsung in Phones & computers
- Samsung patents phone that slides open to enlarge screen Sep 10, 2026
- Samsung patents folding phone that splits app windows when folded Sep 1, 2026
- Samsung patents slider phone with flexible screen that slides out Sep 8, 2026
- Samsung patents phone that shrinks screen when it gets hot Sep 8, 2026
- Samsung patents screen that narrows viewing angle for privacy Sep 15, 2026
Summaries are simplified from the filing’s own abstract and first claim. A patent filing is not a product announcement.
Patent data and drawings: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Nebula is not affiliated with or endorsed by the USPTO.