Wraparound screens could be the future of folding phones if cellphone maker Vivo has something to do with it.
A patent identified by LetsGoDigital suggests that the Chinese technology company may add a foldable phone to its reach in the near future. However, it is unlike any device we’ve seen before.
Most foldable phones have a very practical shell design, which makes the device more compact while offering a very substantial screen. The Samsung Galaxy Fold 2 is a good example of this. And the supposed Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3, could also offer an evolved approach to this design.
But Vivo’s patent takes a different approach to folding with a phone that has a screen that wraps around the device itself.
Almost like folding a piece of paper, the bottom third of the screen would be foldable and stored on the back of the phone. The screen can then be stretched to its full length when in use. Or the folded part of the screen may even act as a second screen when placed on the back of the device.
The Huawei Mate X does something similar just with its screen folding horizontally around itself, a bit like folding a book about itself.
Thanks to 91mobiles we have a pretty solid idea of what the phone would really be Although the images left us a little confused about how usable the phone can really be.
It doesn’t seem like the most practical design to us, not to mention it raises the question of whether anyone really needs a super long phone display in the first place.
A screen with a unique ability to unwrap is not the only information contained in the patent. The document also gives us a clear indication of what the set of cameras would look like in this concept phone.
The phone would have five diamond-shaped rear cameras, one of which would probably be a periscope lens. There is no suggestion of front cameras in the patent and it appears that a headphone jack has also been omitted. The USB-C port for charging is visible in the designs.
Of course, just because Vivo decided to patent this design does not necessarily mean that the phone is guaranteed to be launched at some point in the future. Often, companies patent projects or products that have never seen the light of day for one reason or another.
However, we expect Vivo to launch a foldable phone at some point. If you can’t wait until then, why not check out our summary of the best foldable phones currently available.