Recently, more and more companies have started creating their own foldable and rollable smartphones, but never have we seen one that can do both. Now, for the first time ever, TCL is developing a phone that can unfold into a phablet and roll out into a tablet; and we get a first look at how the device might work because a prototype was seen during DTC 2021 in Shenzhen, China.
Here is the concept video along with its prototype:
This FOLD ‘n ROLL device will make use of TCL’s next-generation hinges and mechanics so that it can fold and extend its display whenever the user wants. As seen in the concept video, it will start off with a standard 6.87-inch display which can then be unfolded to become a 8.85-inch phablet; and if that’s not enough for you, it can further extend to boast a 10-inch display tablet. The device is still in early development so the user interface does lag when trying to adapt to an extended display but it’s a promising start.
Reports mention that rather than presenting a new smartphone that will launch in the future, this prototype was meant to showcase new display capabilities by TCL and its subsidiary CSOT but TCL does have plans on releasing its own foldable phone by the end of this year so we’ll be sure to keep you updated.