Patents hint at future Huawei phone with wrap-around display
- Huawei has filed patents for a phone with a wraparound display.
- Engineering drawings indicate similar aesthetics to the folded Mate X.
- The theoretical device also has a triple rear view camera.
According to patents pending in China, Huawei is reportedly working on a smartphone design with a wraparound display.
Speckled by LetsGoDigitalThe patents came to light this week, painting a picture of a device that resembles the foldable Huawei Mate XS when it’s closed. A key difference is that this phone doesn’t work, it is similar to the Xiaomi Mi Mix Alpha.
Technical drawings suggest that the device is located almost entirely on the screen in advance, with the exception of a bezel that covers the screen and extends along its right flank. This edge also houses an on / off switch and a volume rocker. The left side tapers backwards with the screen, while the display is only interrupted by a triple camera array mounted on a vertical column. It also has a speaker grille, SIM tray, and a USB-C port at the bottom.
Huawei wrap-around display patent
The jury is not yet sure whether wraparound screens are useful. They’re ripe for attracting gawking viewers, but they don’t offer the versatility of folding papers and dual-screen phones. Huawei took advantage of the Mate XS ‘wraparound display to show selfies and other snippets of information while idling, and we envision this device could use something similar too.
However, there are technical and financial challenges. The Mi Mix Alpha is said to have cost ~ $ 2,800 in China, more expensive than Huawei’s current leaflets. Designing a case for this phone would also be a nightmare, and without protection, dropping it would certainly mean an instant trip to the Panelbeater.
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That said, this patent application could just be another flagpole planted by a large tech company. There is no guarantee that such a thing will be used on any mainstream device. This year we’ve seen Samsung patents for transparent smartphones and Xiaomi bookmarks for several crazy camera designs. Both seem barely making headlines on their next flagship.
Huawei probably has more important concerns than fancy concepts. The US ban is expected to be tightened on September 15, potentially reducing Huawei’s supply of chipsets and smartphone displays.
