Xiaomi Reveals Dual-Folding Flexible Phone in Teaser Video

[MacRumors]

Amidst increasing hype about foldable displays, Xiaomi has revealed that it is also working on its own flexible phone.

The Chinese mobile maker broke the news with a teaser video posted on Weibo that shows Xiaomi president and co-founder Lin Bin using what at first looks like a normal tablet device, until he folds back both sides of the display so that it resembles a distinctly phone-like form factor.

The physical power button is side-mounted on the device when in landscape orientation, which places it in a top-center location when in phone mode. In a neat touch, the size and orientation of the user interface also automatically adjusts in order to conform to the new dimensions of the display.

In a message accompanying the post, Bin wrote that the device is the result of the company overcoming technical challenges relating to folding displays, foldable hinges, flexible covers, and UI adaptation.

Bin admitted that what he hopes will become "the world's first dual-folding phone" is still just a prototype at this stage, but said that the company will consider mass producing it if the response from consumers is positive. Bin floated two possible names for the phone - the Mi Dual Flex and the Mi MIX Flex - although he said Xiaomi is open to suggestions from the public.

Last year, Samsung showed off its new Infinity Flex display technology in a device that features a 7.3-inch flexible display that can be folded in half. The company said it had developed an advanced composite polymer that's "flexible and tough" to replace the glass that's usually used as a display cover in smartphones.

Samsung is expected to formally announce its first commercially available foldable phone during its Galaxy S10 event on February 20 in San Francisco, California.

Rumors that Apple is developing an iPhone with a foldable display stretch back to December 2016, when it was reported that LG's display division would begin mass-producing foldable displays for smartphones as early as 2018. Apple was said to have chosen to work with LG Display and not Samsung out of fears that Samsung could get ahold of the sensitive tech.

LG is said to have created a dedicated task force to start developing a foldable OLED display for a future iPhone, while its siser company LG Innotek has a team developing a rigid flexible printed circuit board or (RFPCB) to go along with it.

LG has shown off several foldable display prototypes over recent years, including one that folds over like a book and a second that rolls up much like a newspaper.

Article Link: Xiaomi Reveals Dual-Folding Flexible Phone in Teaser Video

 

[WilliamG]

I’m just going to go ahead and say just this: yes please.

 

[chatin]

Apple should be all over this technology but will most likely not have the cojones.

 

[iPhysicist]

I wonder how what Apple has to show us? Maybe 2020?

 

[Lazy]

Looks cool, and bonus points for thinking of making a trifold.

With any folding screen though, I’d want to wait and see how durable they turn out to be before considering a purchase.

 

[Pim]

Glad to see Apple isn't the only one with rotation issues

 

[44267547]

Ok, as a ‘heavy tech enthusiast’, that’s awesome and props to Xiaomi. The practicality to use the device enlarged and then have the capability to minimize it, that would be perfect in Lots of scenarios. I would want to have ‘Hands on’ before any judgment calls, but still refreshing to see tech evolve.

 

[MALmen]

Wonder how that plastic screen would look after a couple of months, probably full och scratches due to the soft material.

 

[x-evil-x]

I mean if that isn’t innovative I don’t know what is. Looks pretty good to me and will only get better as years go on. We need something new after these last 5 years of basically speed increases to the point it doesn’t matter anymore and some decent camera upgrades.

 

[44267547]

Wonder how that plastic screen would look after a couple of months, probably full och scratches due to the soft material.

I would also add, it’s just like any other tech product, it depends how you take care of it.

 

[Malcster]

Love this, extremely good attempt for a prototype/first go. Hopefully Apple has all this kind of stuff in the lab already.

Exciting times ahead as this technology matures.

 

[Lazy]

Apple should be all over this technology but will most likely not have the cojones.

No, but they’ll wait a couple of years to see what works and what doesn’t, and figure out what they can do to improve on the concept before releasing their own.

Or not release one at all if it turns out to be more of a gimmick than something useful.

 

[44267547]

No, but they’ll wait a couple of years to see what works and what doesn’t, and figure out what they can do to improve on the concept before releasing their own.

Or not release one at all if it turns out to be more of a gimmick than something useful.

All products have to start somewhere, and even though we as consumers always don’t see the benefit right away of how this will be useful in our daily lives, it takes time for things to evolve. I think foldable displays will be a part of the ‘tech future’ one way or the other. The question is, does Apple conjoin the likes of what Samsung and Xiaomi are already in progress developing.

 

[Substance90]

That is courage! Not removing a hardware feature most people in the world still use.

 

[downpour]

Why waste the space on the back? If there was just one fold you could use both sides.

The problem with all these designs is there has to be some movement in the screen to allow for the fold or you get a crease - think of the dust jacket on a book. This means the screen is never going to look or feel as good as a normal touchscreen. While I'm sure there will be some applications for this tech, solid screen devices are going to remain the most practical for everyday use.

If you've ever used a phone with a plastic screen you'll understand why all modern phones are covered in glass.

 

[ValO]

I think all this folding of oled screens is not what apple is after ... yet.
That plastic makes it look very cheap , and not durable.
My guess is that apple is betting on micro led displays, they have been researching this tech for 3 to 4 years now, since they took over luxvue.
And judging Samsung’s demo of microled at CES , they will be able to seamlessly make 1 screen out of more screens, since it is bezelles. So you can make a more solid and premium device without the plastic, glare, etc.

 

[Glockworkorange]

Too thick as a phone for Apple to consider.

 

[alien3dx]

miau... the most practical i see.. then other vendor.

 

[Glockworkorange]

And boy would that thing get scratched in a pocket...

 

[ka-spot]

"teaser" here is more like a "Apple will lower prices of all it's products by $500"

 

[NightFox]

My new iPad Pro does that already

 

[mi7chy]

Maybe you might get used to it coming from bent iPad Pro but it looks bent in several places when unfolded and has dimples when folded. Unfortunately, if you're OCD about details the cons outweigh whatever pro.

 

[recoil80]

Looks more interesting than other foldable prototypes in my opinion, as it doesn't just split the screen in two but folds in two parts.
I'm not sure I'd buy something like that, but at least they're trying to innovate

 

[and 1989 others]

I predict that foldable display phones/tablets will go the same way as 3D TVs and Curved TVs. They'll be around for a while but will fizzle out of existence in a couple of years. It's a gimmick.

 

[44267547]

My new iPad Pro does that already

Maybe you might get used to it coming from bent iPad Pro.

Highly unrelated, nor amusing. A foldable display seems to be more of the upcoming era for tech. Smart phones and tablets have somewhat peaked, thus allowing for a greater transition to something else that might lead the way for consumers to find a median for having a smaller transforming into a larger display when they want it. One way or the other, I foresee Apple adapting this technology in the future.