Oppo annually releases a large number of smartphone models within the budget A series, the mid-range Reno series and the high-end Find line-up. In addition, the Chinese manufacturer is experimenting with folding models. In 2019, Oppo already showed a prototype foldable phone, which had many similarities with the Huawei Mate X. However, Oppo’s folding device has never been released. Despite this, the development of folding and sliding models is steadily advancing.
A year ago, the Oppo x 2021 concept phone was introduced, a rollable smartphone that can be pulled out in width. The company is developing a similar type of smartphone with a screen that can be extended in height. It is kind of an alternative to the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 clamshell.
Oppo smartphone with pull-out display
Last year, Oppo already registered two design patents for a slider phone with a vertically expandable screen. This time, the Chinese manufacturer has registered the same type of rollable smartphone in a utility patent. Meaning, the focus is not on the design, but on the operation of the rollable display.
The 33-page documentation titled “Display device” was filed by Guangdong Oppo Mobile Telecommunications on March 2, 2021 and was published by the World Intellectual Property Office (WIPO) on November 4, 2021, for worldwide protection of the patented technology.
The documentation mainly focuses on all internal components and improving the operation of the sliding mechanism. A rail system with gears and rollers is used for this. In combination with the rigid support plate, these ensure that the device can be pulled in and out smoothly. This obviously benefits the user experience.
To better visualize the patented technology, graphic designer Parvez Khan, aka Technizo Concept, has created a series of product renders of Oppo’s slider smartphone based on the patent. The camera system has been designed according to your own insight, as it is not shown on the patent images.
For the horizontally designed triple camera on the back, Technizo Concept was inspired by the slider smartphone that Oppo patented last year. In addition, an under-display selfie camera has been chosen. This new selfie camera technology has already been demonstrated several times by the company.
Nevertheless, at the time of writing there are no Oppo phones available with an under-screen camera. There is a good chance that this will change in 2022. After all, the first folding phone with an under-display camera is already available; the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3.
The YouTube video below was also made by Technizo Concept, based on Oppo’s patent.
The patented Oppo smartphone is very compact in its most compact position. It’s an ideal form factor to carry with you, in a pocket or handbag. As soon as you want a larger display surface, you can extend the screen upwards. This creates a relatively elongated display, as we already know from clamshell models.
The upper part of the housing moves with it when the rollable screen is reduced and/or enlarged. Where the screen is pulled out, the housing is slightly thinner. This has to do with the rail system – which should ensure that the device can be smoothly retracted, even after frequent use. In addition, the roller ensures that the bending ratio of the flexible screen does not become too large, in order for the screen to stay wrinkle-free.
In relation to the design patent that Oppo filed last year, the new model has significantly larger screen edges, especially at the top and bottom of the device, the frame is fairly thick. This will undoubtedly facilitate the manufacturing process.
In addition, this reduces the chance of damage to the rollable screen. As the housing will offer good protection to the fragile screen. The more so because it also serves as a kind of bracket for the rigid support plate. This is necessary to prevent friction during the movement process.
Advantages of a rollable smartphone
Of course, proper functioning of the rollable display is essential. Several review copies of the Oppo x 2021 have been made available. Many came to the conclusion that the rollable screen moves very smoothly and also works silently. The pull-out process is initiated with a simple push of a button. The screen looks relatively sleek and flat, without a folding seam.
This is also an important advantage compared to foldable smartphone models. After all, all folding phones that are available to date show a clear folding seam. Aside from being visible, the seam can also be felt. This is not a problem with a rollable phone because a rollable smartphone does not fold at one fixed point, therefore no folding seam is formed.
Another advantage of a rollable smartphone is the lack of a hinge. Although Samsung has improved the hide-away hinge several times, this remains the weakest part of a folding phone.
In addition, the smartphone is significantly thinner in its most compact position. As you don’t fold the phone in half, making it just as thin as a regular smartphone – regardless of whether you use the device in its most compact position.
Oppo’s first rollable smartphone was showcased last year, in mid-November, during the annual INNO Day 2020. Perhaps Oppo will schedule another event sometime in the near future to demonstrate the latest groundbreaking technologies. Whether a vertical slider will also be included is unknown for the time being.
Before Oppo will release a rollable smartphone, the company seems to have a foldable smartphone on the schedule. It has been speculated for some time that Oppo’s first folding smartphone will be introduced by the end of 2021. The device is being developed under code name ‘Peacock’ and will possibly retail under the name Oppo Find Fold.
It seems to be a folding phone with an 8” flexible screen that folds inwards – similar to the Galaxy Z Fold 3. It is said to be an LTPO display with a 120Hz refresh rate. The Oppo Fold is expected to be driven by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 processor.
The mobile phone may feature a 32MP front camera and a 50MP main camera. There is also talk of a 4,500 mAh battery that supports 65W fast charging. It remains unknown for the time being how much the folding phone from Oppo will cost and whether the device will be released worldwide.
Download official documentation: Oppo rollable smartphone
Note to publishers : The 3D product renders of the Oppo slider smartphone are created by Parvez Khan, aka Technizo Concept in collaboration with LetsGoDigital. The images are based on a patent of Guangdong Oppo Mobile Telecommunications. This product is not for sale. You can use the copyrighted images for your own website, YouTube and/or social media channels, please be so respectful to include a clickable source link into your publication.
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