When it comes to smartphone innovation, OPPO has been at the forefront with a bunch of new introductions and patents from the Chinese brand. And the patents and announcements don’t seem to stop. We have already seen OPPO X 2021, OPPO rollable concept phone, and now, the company has filed a new patent for a dual-sided smartphone with a Wrap-Around display. 

OPPO has filed a patent with the World Intellectual Property Office (WIPO) with documentation called ‘Method for assembling and disassembling electronic equipment’. It elaborates on the assembling and disassembling methods of such dual-sided flexible screens. 

A quick look at the patent, and we can see the schematics of the phone, with thin bezels and sharp corners. The schematics do give us an idea of how it might look, but the concept images shared by LetsGoDigital give us a better idea of how the design would look when materialized.  

Jermaine Smit, the guy behind Concept Creator has collaborated with the folks at LetsGoDigital. The concept renders by him looks very interesting. As mentioned earlier, the device has super-thin bezels and the left side has the display flowing towards the back. Although the display is extended and wrapped around it isn’t curved, rather it is sharp and has a cutting edge design.

OPPO is said to be using an ultra-thin steel plate between the display and the frame which allows them to place relatively thin screens.  

Moving to the rear, the renders show the rear camera setup. It has four sensors and an LED flash beneath the lenses. As it is a full-screen phone with a display wrapped around it, we can say that the rear camera can be used as a selfie sensor by looking at the extended display as a viewfinder.  

With only the screen on one side, the volume rockers have been placed on the very right edge if you have a look at the phone from the front.  

Other than this, we have also seen something similar from Huawei in the past. The Chinese smartphone giant had patented a dual-sided phone with a similar wrap-around display back in 2020. The one major difference in Huawei’s patent was it had curved edges instead of sharp ones like this OPPO patent. In case you missed it, we’ve already seen a device in real life with a wrap-around display — the Xiaomi Mi Mix Alpha. 

As it is just in the patent stage, we have to wait and see if this design materializes into a real smartphone in the coming years.

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(Source)

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Chinese tech giant and one of BBK subsidiaries OPPO last year announced what should be the world’s first rollable smartphone, aptly referred to as OPPO X 2021 ‘concept’ device. The company went on to state that the product was no vapourware and that the device is more durable than could be imagined. It even backed that up with a durability test. Well, looks like the X 2021 will be commercialized soon. OPPO has given out some units of the concept rollable to Youtubers. We have now come across a couple of review videos of the OPPO X 2021.

The videos give us our first look at the device in real skin showing us all the externals from the front and rear designs to the rollable mechanism and the user interface. In one of the videos by French YouTuber Brandon LeProktor, the Oppo rollable phone can be seen in all its glory with a spectacular and impressive look.

The video which is in French gives us an idea of how the phone retracts and rolls out at the press of a button. One aspect that would be of concern to many is how the interface is adapted to intuitively transition between the entended and contracted form-factor of the device. The video shows the software changes seamlessly.

A second video by Youtuber Sami Tech Tips provides a hands-on review of the device in English even though it may not the best of accents we’ve heard. The Youtuber gave answers to some burning questions about the Find X 2021 such as the selfie camera and what happens when you accidentally open it inside your pocket.

Interestingly, there is no selfie camera. Even more interesting is the discovery that the phone will open if the screen is left unlocked inside the pocket and the slide is accidentally triggered. In this situation, it will keep trying to expand even when the space is not wide enough. We believe this is still a work in progress and OPPO will modify that to retract if an obstacle is met.

You can check out both videos from above to get more insight into the OPPO X 2021.

RELATED;

• OPPO X 2021 withstood 100,000 rigorous curls without hassle during test – OPPO
• Oppo X 2021 unveiled as the world’s first smartphone concept with an extending display
• Oppo X 2021’s rollable OLED panel is made by BOE

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We, have already compiled a list of the Best 2020 Smartphones and Best 2020 Wearables. Among this, I am privileged to cover the most exciting topic that one could wait for – Concept Smartphones. Despite the rollercoaster ride the industry had, we saw some cool concepts of Smartphones in 2020. From the retracting cameras to rollable displays, companies have come a long way in experimenting with new technologies.

Although many of these concepts never see the light of the day, they do give a glimpse at what’s in store in our future. One such example would be foldable displays which, in 2021, is definitely going mainstream across different price points. That said, let’s look at some of the best concepts that came out this year.

Xiaomi Retractable Camera concept

At the MIDC 2020, Xiaomi unveiled a concept by which a Telescopic Camera physically retracts (when not in use) inside a smartphone. This wide-aperture lens technology is inspired by conventional cameras in the market. This mechanism has two major advantages- more light, and videos without shake.

Precisely, such a wider aperture increases the amount of light by 300%(better for night mode) and produces a 20% crispier and stable image using the anti-shake feature. As you can see above, the retractable optical structure allows the lens to lodge in just like any point-shoot camera, and its response time is supposed to be quicker as well.

OnePlus McLaren (Concept One) / 8T Concept

Back in January, OnePlus showcased it’s Concept One smartphone at CES 2020. This product is developed in collaboration with McLaren. It’s typically an OnePlus 7T Pro but has color shifting glass technology on the camera layout which is an Electrochromic Glass. Simply put, the glass changes from transparent to translucent (here it occurs in 0.7sec) if you vary the current/light through it.

You can spot these glasses on the sunroofs of some premium cars, Aeroplanes and buildings’ windows, etc. However, the significance of using it here is, it acts as a neutral density filter to capture the best shots in bright light scenarios.

Recently, OnePlus also revealed what could have been a cool addition to the tally of the OnePlus 8T models. This concept phone has a rear glass with a metal oxide film underneath. Similar to the concept above, the glass changes color (dark blue to light silver) as you vary the voltage across it.

Inspired by the hot springs of Pamukkale in Turkey, the concept, when paired with a radar module (based on mmWave) on the camera housing, responds to gestures like waving hands (for call accept/reject), sense breathing, etc. Precisely, it transmits/receives EM waves and works in conjunction with CPU, DSP to locate and track objects.

EDITOR’S PICK: Gizmochina’s Best Android Smartphones of 2020 / Best Mid-Range smartphones of 2020 (India)

Vivo Apex 2020 / Color Changing panel concept

After the cancellation of MWC 2020, Vivo showcased its Apex 2020 Concept in February. The portless-smartphone has a 6.45-inch FullView Edgeless Waterfall display. Precisely, the display has a whopping 120° curved edges. The device also features an under-display 16MP selfie camera by increasing light-transmittance to that portion of the display by 6x times.

Vivo didn’t skimp on the cameras either. The rear layout has a 16MP active moving lens which Vivo coined as the “continuous optical zoom”(5x to 7.5x Optical) feature. Additionally, the device has a 48MP Gimbal-like camera (200% more stability than OIS), 60W wireless charging.

Just like OnePlus, Vivo also tapped into the peculiar property of the Electrochromic Glass tech in a color-changing panel concept. That is, the rear panel adopts the concept of Electrochromism where the color/opacity of material changes when the voltage is varied.

As you can see in the video below, the color changes from Blue to Silver to a Gradient of Purple colors. This is made possible by sandwiching two transparent electrodes and Glass sheets with an Electrochromic film in the middle. Nevertheless, this tech has all the possibilities to make it to commercial devices in the form of dynamic rear panels.

TCL rollable/ tri-fold concept

TCL, a brand famous for Smart TVs, out of nowhere, showed two Concept renders of smartphones in March 2020. One has a rollable screen and the other is a tri-foldable display design. The displays, which are from the in-house TCL-CSOT, feature a flexible AMOLED technology.

Further, the tri-fold device helps a 10-inch tablet contract into a smartphone with a 6.65-inch screen. It has an aspect ratio of 20.8:9 and a 3K resolution. The company also had two types of hinges- DragonHinge and ButterflyHinge. The former is like Galaxy Fold while the latter resembles Huawei Mate X.

Besides, the highlight of the two concepts was the rollable display. Accordingly, the AMOLED display extends sideways to a 7.8-inch screen and retracts to a 6.75-inch display on pushing a button. However, unlike the tri-fold above, it uses a motorized mechanism so you don’t have to push it manually.

TCL, in a video(as shown below), showcased that the display adapts to either of the given screen real estates in real-time. This makes additional features like multi-tasking, split-screen windows a joy to use.

OPPO X 2021 Concept

Last, but not least, and my personal favorite, is the OPPO X 2021 extending display Concept. Although TCL was like a front-runner of sorts, OPPO unveiled a working prototype of the tech making it a first of its kind. At the INNO DAY 2020, OPPO showcased a device whose display extends from 6.7 to 7.4-inches.

The display is obviously an OLED screen and it rolls into the frame via a 6.8mm Roll Motor and a proprietary rollable concept design. Additionally, you can also see a 2-in-1 support frame plate inside for taking care of the rolled-up screen. Apart from this, OPPO also used a 0.1mm Warp Track laminate to protect the screen.

That’s it! Those were some of the coolest smartphone concepts of 2020. Heading into next year, we expect some of these ideas to evolve into a whole new array of explosive out-of-the-box products from the brands. And we are as excited as you are.

Perhaps, if we ask you whether you would’ve imagined the feasibility of these at the beginning of this decade, what would have been your answer? Let us know down in the comments below!

UP NEXT: The Best Smartwatches and Fitness Trackers of 2020

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The year 2020 lived up to expectations as the year of 5G with 5G phones proliferating beyond flagship models into the affordable mid-range segment. Also, most of the processors released this year by the major chip makers were integrated with a 5G modem. However foldable phones did not experience the same level of proliferation, mainly due to the fact that it is still an expensive venture and the durability is still not awesome. However, OEMs seem to be progressing to another foldable form factor – Rollable displays.

Recently, OPPO unveiled the X 2021, its first and indeed the world’s first concept phone with a rollable display. The company even released a demo video of the device while in use and it looks amazing. It was later revealed that the display was manufactured by Chinese display maker BOE and that it was able to withstand 100,000 rigorous curls when tested.

Looks like we’ll be seeing more rollable display packing phones in 2021 even though we can’t say if they will progress beyond concept phones. An LG rollable phone has reportedly been listed on the database of South Korea’s carrier Intranet. According to the Twitter leaker @Cozyplanes, the device is currently registered in the Korean operator’s internal database. The model of the device is LM-RN910N, while the unlocked model carries the model number OMD-LM-R910N.

Earlier rumors reveal that the specifications of LG’s rollable phone include a 7.4-inch expandable screen with a resolution of 2428×1080 pixels (20:9), a video mode of 2428×1366 pixels (16:9), and a productivity mode of 2428×1600 pixels (3: 2).

EXCLUSIVE#LG #Rollable has been registered in South Korea's carrier intranet (database)

Carrier Model Number
LM-R910N

Unlocked Model Number
OMD-LM-R910N pic.twitter.com/KQUm2L0UQ8

— Tron (@cozyplanes) December 5, 2020

Further, the LG Rollable is rumored to pack a 4200mAh battery and will be powered by Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 888 processor paired with 16GB of RAM. So don’t expect it to be a cheap phone.

The Twitter tipster @Cozyplanes also revealed details about how the device works. The device will expand on both sides, increasing the screen size by up to 100%. However, the top frame will not expand with the device. According to reports, LG will add a flexible frame that can be expanded to cover the exposed edge of the screen, and then retracted when the phone is closed. The phone will also have a locking device to prevent accidental deployment and prevent the screen from scrolling too fast, which can cause wrinkles on the screen.

LG is not the only company that is developing a mobile phone with a scrollable display. Samsung and TCL join OPPO on the list of OEMs that have applied for patents for smartphones with a scrolling display. Thus, we may certainly see a few more designs from others soon.

UP NEXT: JD.com becomes the first online retailer to accept China’s digital currency

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Rising Chinese tech brand OPPO recently announced what looks to be the world’s first rollable smartphone, aptly referred to as OPPO X 2021 ‘concept’ device. The company has also stated that the device is more durable than could be imagined.

A few visuals of the OPPO concept device shows that it is an amazing device that phone lovers will find intriguing and the reviews have been impressive. The device works fine and is a reflection of the creative team at OPPO. During the unveiling event, the company’s hardware structural engineer, Jin Xiang, provided some exciting perspectives on the OPPO X 2021, stating that the smartphone has been extensively tested and performed admirably.

He states that the phone has been put through 100,000 curls/rolls testing without any damage. The test involves expanding and retracting the display 100,000 times. The OPPO hardware executive also said the limit was even not breached with this test. It is therefore indicative of the power of the smartphone to withstand consistent rollings for several years, without any damage.

This is quite an impressive milestone for the OPPO brand. The OPPO X 2021, however, is yet to go on sale, as there are still several hurdles before it is passed for production. A recent report hinted that the expected launch date is 2022, as the display is being fine-tuned.

OPPO hardware structural engineer Jin Xiang at a recent press conference said, OPPO X 2021 has been tested rigourously for 100,000 curls. 50 times a day shouldn't be a problem. It can be used for five years, and 100,000 times is not the limit. pic.twitter.com/OYMvRZJZEq

— Abdul Q. (@AndroidSaint) November 20, 2020

That display’s manufacturer is BOE, and a tipster has pointed out that it may not be ready for mass production until 2022. That’s quite a long wait that could tip the scales away from OPPO, as LG is planning to release a rollable smartphone within the first half of 2021. Samsung is also known to be working on this concept as well.

OPPO, however, is the first manufacturer that presented watchers with a view of a working unit of the device. They may as well pip others to the record of the first rollable smartphone if it is released earlier than the projected 2022 release date.

UP NEXT: Oppo X 2021 unveiled as the world’s first smartphone concept with an extending display

 
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