TCL is Working on a Foldable Phone that Bends Into a Smartwatch

Foldable phones are slated to be the focus point of the smartphone industry, as most major OEMs would try their hands at this evolving technology. Samsung is expected to show off its foldable phone at the Galaxy Unpacked event on February 20 and Huawei is expected to show one off at MWC 2019. Other OEMs like Xiaomi, Oppo and Motorolahave their own plans for this technology for the near future. Even television maker TCL is getting in on the game.

The Chinese company, best known for budget televisions, but also phones through its BlackBerry Mobile and Alcatel brands, is working on at least five devices employing flexible displays, including two tablets, two smartphones and a flexible phone that could curve into a smartwatch, according to company renderings and patent image filings obtained by CNET.
The company is said to be working on five new foldable devices. These include two smartphones, two tablets, and a flexible phone that can bend and form a smartwatch. All these devices will feature flexible displays.

One of these smartphones can fold around your wrist like a bracelet. This is similar to a concept Lenovo had shown off back in 2016. The devices are expected to be in production, but a company representative told CNET that TCL plans to release its first foldable device next year.
TCL is also reportedly working on a foldable tablet that resembles the Royole FlexPai. There are two smartphone variants that are expected to bend like traditional flip phones. CNET's report is primarily based on the company's patent images and renders, and therefore reveals nothing significant like specifications or how these devices may actually work.

Foldable smartphones are the smartphone industry's hot new idea to get people excited all over again. Samsung and Xiaomi have already teased their own version of foldable smartphones while Apple has filed a patent for what looks like a foldable smartphone. Intel is also expected to be working on a 3-display foldable phone while Huawei, Nubia, and Energizer are expected to reveal their foldable phones at MWC 2019 next week.

February 18, 2019