At this week’s Mobile
World Congress in Barcelona, Spain, it became clear that 2019 is going
to be the year of the foldable phone.
Several major phone makers showcased new flexible handpieces at the massive trade show that visits the city each year.
Hinges and special, bendable screens allow the devices to switch between smartphone and tablet.
Two telecommunications
heavyweights – Huawei from China, and Samsung from South Korea – went
head-to-head at the event, which is also known as MWC, this year,
showing off their flexible offerings in pavilions directly across from
each another.
Huawei’s foldable phone
– the Mate X – was unveiled a few days before the MWC kicked off, and
the phone has drawn a steady stream of visitors to the company’s
pavilion.
The Mate X is an
impressive feat of engineering. The hinge alone took three years to
develop. The phone combines a foldable screen, artificial intelligence,
and a new interface. It is also compatible with 5G networks.
Huawei believes the
Mate X will be the phone to carry people into the 5G era. And it will be
in direct competition with its flexible rival, the Galaxy Fold, by
Samsung.
The Fold comes out this
spring, though curiously no-one was allowed to get their hands on one
at the MWC this week, where the device remained behind glass.
Conversely, journalists and industry players were allowed to make an
appointment to check out the Mate X.
“They heard we were
launching, so they hurried to launch,” Yu Chengdong, CEO of Huawei
consumer business group, told media at the tradeshow. “You can see this
is a real phone. I’ve been using it for many days. The others? I don’t
know, because they are not ready.”
Several other companies
showcased foldable devices at MWC. Chinese electronics manufacturer
Royole seemed to be having the most fun at the conference. The company
slotted curved screens into top hats, T-shirts, and handbags, provoking a
vision of the future where our accessories double as electronic
billboards.
Royole allowed visitors to handle its foldable phone, which has been on the market for several months.
“We launched the
world’s first commercial foldable smartphone last October,” said company
co-founder Peng Wei. “This is the first commercially available foldable
phone. We have already shipped orders.
“This flexible-screen
technology enables innovation. Phones are no longer limited by a rigid
screen. It’s a combination of phone and a tablet, so you can combine the
large screen experience with the portability.”
Guangzhou-based
electronics company TCL unveiled its DragonHinge technology at the MWC.
The multi-gear hinge features in five new foldable devices from TCL,
some of which will be available next year.
“We see the opportunity
to really shape and bring something fresh to market,” Stefan Streit,
TCL’s global marketing manager, said of the array of foldable devices
the company will offer. “There’s so many different ways you can do
them.”
Several other major
phone makers have plans to make foldable phones, including LG, Xiaomi,
and Lenovo. So far, iPhone manufacturer Apple has kept its cards close
to its chest on the matter.
What is known is that
the company has filed patents related to foldable technology, which
suggests it is at least exploring the idea. In any case, if the
technology is welcomed by consumers, Huawei and Samsung will have a
significant headstart, and Apple will be in the uncommon position of
playing catch-up.
5G has been another dominant theme at this year’s MWC and almost all of the vendors were plugging some aspect of 5G innovation.
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