TCL is one of China’s leading tech giants. The latest release from the company could be the most innovative yet. TCL was not known for its smartphones until now. They released a pair of concept devices that use next-gen flexible display technologies which could be a game-changer for future mobile devices. TCL recently became one of the top TV manufacturers in North America with Roku as a major partner but the company is eager to expand its horizons and to push deeper into the smartphone realm.
TCL debuted three devices at CES 2020 in Las Vegas. The devices included a 5G smartphone and a foldable phone. These seem to deliver great functionality. It is not available to the public yet. In the meantime, the company is giving the public a taste of a rollable smartphone. The device does not yet have a name or a price. It does shows off different types of technology. It uses AMOLED technology for a display that slides out which turns the phone into something that resembles a very slim tablet. It is 9mm thick and uses an internal motor to expand the 6.75 screens by an extra inch.
According to the company, this feature opens the door for entirely new user experience and it includes a split-screen for multitasking. TCL also teased the public with a device that has the form of a concertina. The prototype had a trifold table concept and it is said to spearhead a new product category. This particular model uses DragonHinge and ButterflyHinge technologies It allows the prototype to go from a 10-inch tablet to a 6.65-inch device. When folded it resembles a very thick smartphone but TLC will probably not market it as such.
Many companies have started playing around with form to see what works and what customers are drawn to. This probably why we are seeing sliders more often. Fully flexible displays promise to change the landscape of technology in the next few years. The Chinese-based company, Royale, raised just over billion in the past 7 years to develop & market flexible screens & sensors. The company showcased many uses for these thin displays that stretch way beyond smartphones. Speakers might be released with a wrap-around screen and curved displays might just decorate your car’s steering wheel. The possibilities are interesting.
TCL is not divulging the price or release date of its trifold tablet but the company used these prototypes to show that they are taking the world by storm and planning on changing the way we look at technology. TCL believes that there is still a lot of room for more ideas and innovations to be released into the world. The company stated that it is critical for developers and consumers to think outside of the box and lead with innovation. They know that the world is changing. The only way to keep up is to change along with it.
5 March 2020
