TCL foldable smartphone

2019: Announcement

In October 2019, TCL introduced a smartphone that, thanks to a flexible display, can fold three times.

When unfolded, the device is a tablet computer with a 10-inch display. Having folded, the gadget turns into a smartphone with a screen of about 6 inches diagonally. His aspect ratio is 22:9. When closed, the tube fits easily in the pocket, the manufacturer notes.

TCL introduced a smartphone that, thanks to a flexible display, can fold three times

The screen bends twice and folds like an accordion. Since the display folds both inside and outside, loops of different designs are used in the device: much more elements are visible in the loop at the bend outside than in the second loop. At the same time, the loops of the Z-shaped screen move in different directions, which creates the impression that the user is unfolding an advertising booklet.

The TCL device will be quite thick when folded, which is not surprising, since the three parts will overlap.

At the time of the demonstration of the novelty, the manufacturer did not disclose either the name of the product, or its future price and the timing of the start of sale.

Detailed technical specifications also remained secret, but it is known that the device is equipped with four digital cameras at the back and one front camera, a USB-C connector. There is no 3.5 mm headphone jack.

The main reason many smartphone manufacturers have begun experimenting with flexible screens is because it makes devices with large screens more compact. For example, this potentially allows you to carry a device in your pocket, which, when unfolded, turns into a full-size tablet.

Earlier in 2019, sales of the foldable Samsung Galaxy Fold and Huawei Mate X smartphones began. However, they differ from the TCL device, since their displays bend in one place, in the product of the Chinese company - in two.^[1]

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