Foldable smartphone: Royole overtakes Samsung

At the Samsung Developer Conference, the South Korean group unveiled its new prototype: a foldable smartphone that allows several applications to be used simultaneously. However, Chinese manufacturer Royole had already presented a model of this type at the end of October.
Samsung foldable smartphone
Samsung has presented a prototype foldable smartphone at a conference.

With the smartphone FlexPai signed Royole and the Infinity Flex Display unveiled by SamsungBusiness travellers should no longer find it difficult to work from their smartphones. On 31 October, Royole launched the first foldable mobile phone. According to the Chinese manufacturer, FlexPai can fold and unfold more than 200,000 times without any deterioration.

The first foldable smartphone has been available for pre-order on the Royole website since 31 October.

Samsung strikes back with Infinity Flex Display

Only a few days after the launch of FlexPai, Samsung responded by presenting the Infinity Flex Display, which can be adapted to a variety of uses. Folded, the smartphone slips into a trouser pocket. Unfolded, it allows users to browse three applications at once on a screen of 7.3 inches.

To make this prototypeSamsung has developed a flexible material to cover the phone's screen, as well as an adhesive to improve its elasticity. What's more, according to Justin Denison, vice-president of mobile strategy at Samsung US, the screen is foldable thanks to the polariser created by Samsung engineers, which is 45 % thinner than those normally used.

The brand is already working with Google and Android on the development of the Infinity Flex Display, and mass production of a smartphone with this screen is expected to begin in the coming months.

Justin Denison, vice-president of mobile strategy at Samsung US, has presented the prototype of a foldable smartphone.