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TCL unveils the Fold 'n Roll concept device: the first phone that's both foldable and rollable phone

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Peter 14 April 2021

TCL Android

TCL unveiled the Fold ‘n Roll – no, those aren’t two different phones, it’s one device with two different ways to extend the display. It’s a prototype for now, TCL’s first device with a flexible screen will arrive later this year (and probably won't be this one).

TCL Fold 'n Roll: smartphone mode (6.87\ TCL Fold 'n Roll: phablet mode (8.85\ TCL Fold 'n Roll: tablet mode (10\
TCL Fold 'n Roll: smartphone mode (6.87") • phablet mode (8.85") • tablet mode (10")

The TCL Fold ‘n Roll is an outward folder (i.e. the screen remains on the outside) and has a rollable mechanism that extends the unfolded screen. The company combined next-gen hinges and mechanics to support both actions.

It starts off with a 6.87” screen, which can unfold to 8.85” (which will make it the largest foldable screen yet). The rollable mechanism extends that to 10”. Importantly, this changes the aspect ratio, which makes it better-suited for multimedia than the typical squarish foldable.

Here's the phone in action:

TCL has a vested interest in advanced screen technologies – it’s the parent company of CSOT, a large display maker from China that covers everything from small phone screens to large TV screens. It first started making flexible OLED panels back in Q4 2019.

The company has also reached out to partners to try and figure out a way to use glass to make the screen more durable (it’s outward position makes it more vulnerable). The prototype uses plastic for now.

And this is just a prototype – TCL cautions that it will take some time before 3-in-1 devices like the Fold ‘n Roll arrive in stores. We will see a simpler device with a flexible screen later this year, but the company has not revealed anything about its form factor (foldable and rollable phones both use flexible screens).

Related articles
  • Watch the TCL 20L, 20S, and 20 Pro announcement live here Watch the TCL 20L, 20S, and 20 Pro announcement live here
  • TCL to showcase its mini-LED TVs at CES 2021 TCL to showcase its mini-LED TVs at CES 2021
  • TCL starts flexible OLED production in Q4 2019 TCL starts flexible OLED production in Q4 2019
  • Samsung sells its LCD plant in China to TCL for $1.8 billion Samsung sells its LCD plant in China to TCL for $1.8 billion

Reader comments

?
  • Anonymous
  • m5$
  • 17 Apr 2021

Great idea! The future is very bright.

  • Reply
M
  • MUAD
  • 3DR
  • 16 Apr 2021

TCL are doing this and Apple move cameras around for the iPhone 13... Jarring

  • Reply
D
  • Dora
  • S1Z
  • 16 Apr 2021

I agree. There is total silence around the product.

  • Reply
  • Read all comments
  • Post your comment
Total reader comments: 59

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