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Though multiple OEMs have tried their hands at flexible phones, Samsung is the only company that’s been able to establish any sort of footing in the market. Regardless, according to Let’s Go Digital, Chinese OEM Oppo has just filed a new patent for a rollable phone. It looks like it’d be the rollable equivalent to the Galaxy Z Flip.
This Oppo Rollable phone will extend vertically
We’ve seen rollable phone concepts before, and most of them have the phone rolling out width-wise, but the patent for this Oppo rollable phone shows us the opposite. Based on the patent images, we see a rather square phone when in its rolled state. However, when unrolled, it extends to match the profile of a typical slab phone.
When rolled, it looks like you might be able to do some of the basic tasks and some media consumption. It will be more than good enough to check/reply to messages, navigate the UI, and maybe watch some videos. When unrolled, you’ll then have full access to all of your phone’s functions (that’s just speculation, however).
How could this design be useful?
There are two different types of flexible screen phones: those that make themselves smaller and those that make themselves bigger; this Oppo rollable phone is one of the latter. It looks like it’s designed to give you just enough functionality to get some work and play done when it’s rolled up, but a full phone when unrolled.
It’s a bit different from both of Samsung’s foldable phone philosophies. While the Galaxy Z Flip 3 is the closest comparison, you will most likely be able to do a lot more when the device is rolled. Having a good amount of functionality when the device is rolled might play in its favor.
Imagine being able to check your notifications, scroll your social media feed, take a quick photo, or watch a video without having to even unroll the phone. This should more than appeal to the market who like the clamshell design.
Take this with a grain of salt
These are only patent images at this point, so there’s no telling if this phone will be completely different when it launches or if it will even launch. We just got word that Google has canceled its foldable phone, and we haven’t heard anything from Motorola, Huawei, Xiaomi, or TCL regarding their foldable phones.
Only time will tell if we will see this interesting device actually hit the market. Oppo is working on its own foldable phone, as we might see that first.
