FlexPai introduces ‘world’s first’ foldable screen phone
It’s been talked about for years, but now a California-based start claims to have beaten rival manufacturers to market by introducing ‘Flexpai’, the world’s first foldable smartphone.
Currently only available in China, it offers a 7.8-inch display when unfolded. At full screen size, the screen resolution is 1920 x 1440pixels and the pixel density 308ppi. The different aspect ratios of the screens will be 4:3, 16:9 and 18:9.
The device runs the company’s own version of Android, called Water OS, and claims the CPU is a Qualcomm next-gen Snapdragon 8 series. It offers 8GB RAM and 256GB of internal storage.
When folded, the phone has three smaller screens with even the hinge acting as a screen. The dual screens can carry out separate but simultaneous tasks, and can also be used at multiple viewing angles for different purposes such as a bedside alarm clock or video screen.
The manufacturer, Royole Corporation, claims that the phone’s folding mechanism is durable having been put through the folding and opening process 200,000 times to test if bears the pressure.
Says the firm’s founder and chief executive Bill Liu:
“The Royole FlexPai foldable smartphone provides mobile phone users with a revolutionary, different experience compared to traditional phones.
“It perfectly solves the contradiction between the high-definition large-screen experience and portability, which introduces a whole new dimension to the human-machine interface.
“The phone’s inherent design will forever change the consumer electronics industry, as well as the way people interact with and perceive their world.”
The company has started selling a developer model of the phone globally as well as a consumer model in China, with orders expected to begin late December.
Although a number of high profile tech firms, including Huawei, Samsung and Lenovo, are working on flexible display devices, Royole claims its device is first to market.
