Kris Carlon / Android Authority
TL; DR
- A detailed patent for Huawei’s retractable phones has emerged.
- The patent describes an intelligent way of unfolding the display of a roll-up phone and keeping it wrinkle-free.
- A patent revealing Huawei’s retractable phone plans was first brought to light last year.
A handful of companies are officially working on rollable phones. Now that LG has put its promising device in the can, Oppo is arguably the leader in the segment. But it could face stiff competition from Huawei. According to a new patent, the company is working on a roll-up phone with some nifty features.
Seen from LetsGoDigital, the patent was filed in January 2021, but was published that month. While it shows similar designs first discovered in an April 2020 patent, it incorporates a variety of new concepts.
Huawei’s roll-up phone will apparently wrap a large plastic OLED screen around its front, which also covers about four-fifths of its back. The part on the back that is not occupied by the display should provide enough space for a camera array.
The real interest, however, lies in the rollable system itself. The screen is drawn taut around the edge of the phone. If the user wants more display, it slides from behind along a motorized roller system. Interestingly, Huawei’s main goal is to soften wrinkles and this is achieved by placing magnets inside the roller mechanism. This should lock the screen in place as well.
There are also three display size settings available. The rollable Huawei phone houses a 6.5-inch display in its standard form, but expands to 11-inch when the entire display is rolled out. Carrying around a large tablet in a device barely the size of a regular smartphone is an exciting prospect.
Is Huawei Bringing a Rollable Phone?
We haven’t seen a rollable phone in the mass market yet, but they are fascinating alternatives to foldable devices. Again, the Oppo X 2021 concept comes closest to a consumer-grade rollable that we have, but it still has its shortcomings.
Granted, there may be issues with durability and practicality, but it’s a nifty way to incorporate tablet-like functionality into a smartphone shell. However, Huawei has, to a certain extent, done just that with its foldable Mate X series.
Given that Huawei is still working on plans from last year, chances are the company hasn’t yet tinned its rollable phone ambitions. While foldable objects remain their immediate focus, this could change in the future.
But what do you think of Huawei’s patent for retractable phones? Let us know in the comments below.
