Previously unknown businesses have now revealed the release of a foldable smartphone. In the middle of this year, Samsung unveiled the Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Galaxy Z Flip 3. This year, Xiaomi unveiled its first foldable phone, the Xiaomi Mi Mix Fold, which is exclusively available in China.
Although Oppo has filed several patents over time for foldable smartphone models, this does not apply to its sister company OnePlus. However, it is expected that once a foldable Oppo is announced, it won’t be long before a OnePlus foldable phone appears as well.
With a second hinge, OnePlus has created a foldable phone.
Meanwhile, LetsGoDigital discovered a Shenzhen OnePlus technology patent for the foldable phone with three display parts invented by Gao Yang. This is the first folding smartphone patent from OnePlus that LetsGoDigital talks about. This is remarkable because other big phone brands have already registered dozens of foldable models. Documentation titled “Mobile Terminal” was requested by OnePlus in China at the end of 2020, after which the publication took place on July 20, 2021. Subsequently, the Chinese documentation was also included in the World Office database. of Intellectual Property (WIPO) for the world’s patented technology protection.
To get a better idea of this tri-fold OnePlus smartphone, Parvez Khan aka Technizo Concept created a series of renderings for LetsGoDigital based on the images in the patent. is a foldable phone consisting of three screen parts and a double hinge, which can be folded in different ways. Therefore, more user applications are created and the user can benefit from an extremely versatile device. When open, you have a large tablet to work more productively. In its most compact form, the device is about the size of a regular phone model – obviously, the device is a bit thicker. However, the device seems thinner than most of the tri-fold smartphones we’ve reported so far. The flexible screen sits inside, so it remains well protected from scratches and bumps when folded.
The usage of several folding methods expands the user’s possibilities.
As an extension of the first part of the screen, OnePlus has integrated a turntable, which can be clicked on the third part of the screen, so that the device can remain in a triangular position. For example, a YouTube video can be displayed on one side of the screen. displayed, while the other side can display, for example, an email application or an internet browser. In addition, OnePlus saw the opportunity to apply a magnetic sliding system.
This is not the signature of the alert cursor. In this case, the circular sliding button is used to lock the folding position of the device. This prevents the device from unintentionally folding or unfolding during use. The cursor is embedded in the bezel of the thick part of the screen. In this way, it remains easily accessible no matter how the phone is folded. Optionally, a double-sided screen can be applied, so that the front and back of the screen are equipped with touch functionality. Handy, because in this way OnePlus can add a cover screen – as we are already used to from the current Fold models.
OnePlus’s foldable smartphone has high expectations.
It is not known when OnePlus will present its first foldable. Maybe the “OnePlus Fold” will arrive in 2022. In any case, it goes without saying that the company will first introduce a foldable phone with two display parts – after all, it will be cheaper and easier to use. produce a tri-fold model. OnePlus has been relatively quiet on foldable models for now. In the middle of this year, we were a little surprised when the company posted a teaser for a foldable dual-screen smartphone during the Samsung Unpacked era. It was surprising timing, as all the attention was focused on Samsung.
Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Z Flip 3 were introduced during Galaxy Unpacked. It later turned out to be just a clever publicity stunt for OnePlus. It was a promotional deal in the US, where you can buy the OnePlus 9 series at a 50% discount – “because 2 devices are better than 1”, was the statement. Before the Chinese manufacturer releases a foldable phone, the high-end OnePlus 10 series is expected, of which the OnePlus 10 Pro will be the new flagship model. The global release of these models is scheduled for late March / early April 2022. In China, the new flagship models will arrive a month or two earlier. It’s possible the company will present its first foldable phone later in 2022.
Finally, sister company Oppo appears to be planning to release its first foldable phone next month. two companies are merging more and more, it is certainly not inconceivable that OnePlus is following in Oppo’s footsteps. As we have also seen with smartwatches. After the introduction of the Oppo Watch in March 2020, OnePlus has followed suit this year with its OnePlus Watch.
Documentation : OnePlus tri-fold smartphone .
