GSMArena.com GSMArena.com

Tip us

1.5m
109k
RSS

EV

Merch

Log in

Login

I forgot my password
Sign up
  • Home
  • News
  • Reviews
  • Videos
  • Featured
  • Phone Finder
  • Deals
  • MerchNew
  • Coverage
  • Contact
ADVERTISEMENTS

LG patents a three-piece, two-display foldable screen phone design with no ports

  • Post your comment
  • Comments (33)

Victor 10 August 2019

LG Android Rumors

Foldable display smartphones might have been rushed yet again judging by the rocky lifecycle of both the Samsung Galaxy Fold and Huawei Mate X, neither of which is still available for purchase. Even so, the tech is definitely there and it's mostly a matter of time and refinement at this point. And actually few players have been working on foldable displays longer than LG. This might sound a bit surprising, given that the Korean giant still doesn’t have any concrete foldable smartphone offer, but it is a fact that as early as 2014 and even 2013 LG was spearheading the foldable revolution. Since then there have been more than a few foldable and rollable design patents from LG. Also rumors of some major partnerships. Most notably an alleged one for flexible OLED displays to be incorporated in Apple's 2020 iPhones. LG Display even has actual rollable TVs. So, its definitely more that a pipe dream.

LG patent shows a three-piece, two-display foldable screen phone design with no ports

That being said, the latest LG smartphone design to surface, incorporating a foldable display appears still firmly anchored in the realm of future possibilities. Not that the tech itself isn't already there, but with word of a much simpler dual-display LG design coming to IFA 2019, this sort of foldable LG phone is still probably some way away. But, we digress. The designs are very interesting and could offer potential hints as to the direction LG is planning to take its foldable smartphone panel tech once it finally becomes reality.

Z-FOLD TYPE FOLDABLE SMARTPHONE Z-FOLD TYPE FOLDABLE SMARTPHONE Z-FOLD TYPE FOLDABLE SMARTPHONE Z-FOLD TYPE FOLDABLE SMARTPHONE Z-FOLD TYPE FOLDABLE SMARTPHONE Z-FOLD TYPE FOLDABLE SMARTPHONE Z-FOLD TYPE FOLDABLE SMARTPHONE Z-FOLD TYPE FOLDABLE SMARTPHONE
Z-FOLD TYPE FOLDABLE SMARTPHONE

The document in question details the "Z-FOLD TYPE FOLDABLE SMARTPHONE", was just recently published in the WIPO (World Intellectual Property Office) database and contains a surprisingly large quantity of sketches. The pictured device combines a foldable display, bending inward with a separate second display, also mounted on a hinge in a rather clever way. The two outer segments appear to fold in on the middle one, positioning the separate display on the front of the folded-in device. In this state all the typical features of a smartphone are just where one would expect - main camera on the back, power button and volume rockers (presumably) on the side and speakers on the bottom.

Z-FOLD TYPE FOLDABLE SMARTPHONE Z-FOLD TYPE FOLDABLE SMARTPHONE Z-FOLD TYPE FOLDABLE SMARTPHONE Z-FOLD TYPE FOLDABLE SMARTPHONE Z-FOLD TYPE FOLDABLE SMARTPHONE Z-FOLD TYPE FOLDABLE SMARTPHONE Z-FOLD TYPE FOLDABLE SMARTPHONE Z-FOLD TYPE FOLDABLE SMARTPHONE
Z-FOLD TYPE FOLDABLE SMARTPHONE

It is worth noting that some traditional controls are clearly absent though, like a USB Type-C port, likely hinting at a wireless-only charging scheme. There also appears to be no selfie camera and no visible fingerprint reader. Likely both are fitted underneath one of the displays in this futuristic design.

LG patent shows a three-piece, two-display foldable screen phone design with no ports

Seeing something even remotely similar to the Z-FOLD in actual physical form from LG is pretty unlikely in the near future. Still, there are plenty of great ideas to improve on contemporary foldable display smartphones worth exploring here.

LG patent shows a three-piece, two-display foldable screen phone design with no ports

Source | Via 1 | Via 2

Related articles
  • LG teases dual screen phone ahead of IFA 2019 LG teases dual screen phone ahead of IFA 2019
  • 2020 iPhones to have flexible OLED panels from LG, rumor claims 2020 iPhones to have flexible OLED panels from LG, rumor claims
  • LG trademarks names for its rollable smartphone? LG trademarks names for its rollable smartphone?
  • LG announces another decline in smartphone sales LG announces another decline in smartphone sales

Reader comments

?
  • Anonymous
  • yfr
  • 28 Aug 2019

Actually it's a pretty good idea. If it works like is suposse to work...

  • Reply
?
  • Anonymous
  • 3EW
  • 13 Aug 2019

yeah, yeah, because it did not come from Xiaomi copycats..... Don't worry, they will copy it sooner or later... It is actually a fantastic idea. Proper tablet "real estate" whenever needed, from a proper phone size.

  • Reply
  • Kangal
  • RN8
  • 13 Aug 2019

So following your logic, this phone didn't fold at all so there's no concern about weakness: https://thydzik.com/images/motorola-razr-v3-repair-my-broken-motorola-razr-v3-th.jpg As opposed to damage on this: https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/GJ...

  • Reply
  • Read all comments
  • Post your comment
Total reader comments: 33

ADVERTISEMENTS

Phone finder

  • Samsung
  • Apple
  • Huawei
  • Nokia
  • Sony
  • LG
  • HTC
  • Motorola
  • Lenovo
  • Xiaomi
  • Google
  • Honor
  • Oppo
  • Realme
  • OnePlus
  • vivo
  • Meizu
  • BlackBerry
  • Asus
  • Alcatel
  • ZTE
  • Microsoft
  • Vodafone
  • Energizer
  • Cat
  • Sharp
  • Micromax
  • Infinix
  • TCL
  • Ulefone
  • Tecno
  • BLU
  • Blackview
  • Acer
  • Panasonic
  • Plum

All brands Rumor mill

ADVERTISEMENTS

Top 10 by daily interest

  Device Daily hits  
1.Samsung Galaxy A53 5G23,554
2.Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G22,654
3.Xiaomi Redmi Note 1121,383
4.Oppo Reno8 Pro+20,405
5.Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max17,542
6.Samsung Galaxy A73 5G16,488
7.Sony Xperia 1 IV15,309
8.Samsung Galaxy A1315,256
9.vivo X80 Pro14,425
10.Infinix Note 12 VIP13,724

ELECTRIC VEHICLES

2025 VW ID.1 is a €19,900 replacement for VW e-UP with more room, power and range 2025 VW ID.1 is a €19,900 replacement for VW e-UP with more room, power and range
ADVERTISEMENTS

Home News Reviews Compare Coverage Glossary FAQ RSS feed Youtube Facebook Twitter Instagram

© 2000-2022 GSMArena.com Mobile version Android app Tools Contact us Merch store Privacy Terms of use Change Ad Consent Do not sell my data