Vivo and Transsion Holdings are reportedly working on rollable phones, with plans to launch them as early as the end of 2024. This would make them the first companies to launch rollable phones commercially, beating Samsung to the punch.
Rollable phones are a new type of smartphone that uses a display that can be rolled out or in to change its size. This allows for a more flexible and versatile form factor, as users can choose to have a larger screen for watching videos or playing games, or a smaller screen for portability.
Vivo and Transsion Holdings are not the only companies working on rollable phones. Samsung, Motorola, LG, and TCL have all announced similar concepts in recent years. However, Vivo and Transsion Holdings appear to be the closest to bringing rollable phones to market.
Transsion Holdings, which owns brands including Itel, Tecno, and Infinix, showcased its Phantom Ultimate prototype with a rollable display in September 2022. At the tap of a button, the phone’s 6.55-inch display starts to expand to 7.11 inches, with a form factor of a small tablet. The Tecno Phantom Ultimate packs a low-temperature polycrystalline oxide (LTPO) thin-film transistor (TFT) rollable display made by CSOT. The 7.11-inch display claimed to have a 1,596×2,296 resolution and a pixel density of 388ppi.
Vivo has not yet released any details about its rollable phone, but it is rumored to be similar to the Tecno Phantom Ultimate in design. Vivo is also expected to use a LTPO TFT rollable display from CSOT.
The launch of rollable phones from Vivo and Transsion Holdings would be a significant milestone for the smartphone industry. Rollable phones have the potential to revolutionize the way we use our smartphones, offering a more flexible and versatile form factor that can adapt to different needs.
What are the benefits of rollable phones?
Rollable phones offer a number of benefits over traditional smartphones, including:
- Increased screen size:Rollable phones can have screens that are much larger than traditional smartphones, without sacrificing portability. This is because the screen can be rolled up when not in use, and unrolled when needed. This is ideal for watching videos, playing games, or multitasking.
- Reduced bezel size:Rollable phones can have much smaller bezels than traditional smartphones, as there is no need for a hinge or other mechanisms to fold the screen. This results in a more immersive viewing experience.
- Increased durability:Rollable phones are less likely to break than foldable phones, as there is no need to fold the screen repeatedly. This makes them more durable and suitable for everyday use.
What are the challenges of rollable phones?
There are a few challenges that need to be addressed before rollable phones can be widely adopted. These include:
- Cost:Rollable phones are likely to be more expensive than traditional smartphones due to the complex technology involved.
- Battery life:Rollable phones may have shorter battery life than traditional smartphones, as they need to power a larger display.
- Durability:Rollable phones need to be durable enough to withstand everyday use, including being rolled up and unrolled repeatedly.