Table of contents:
- Stylus or S Pen
- Modules for productivity
- And for games
- More ranges with different prices
- Other display formats
- The good thing about flexible mobiles
Mobile phones with a folding or flexible screen are here. Samsung and Huawei have been the first to announce a terminal with a screen that folds, and they will soon go on sale. Of course, at exorbitant prices. This mobile format may seem very interesting, especially for the future, to be able to have a tablet and a mobile in the same device. But folding mobiles are missing some features. These 5 are the ones you should have. Will we see them soon?
Stylus or S Pen
Manufacturers like Apple or Samsung have proven that a Stylus, also called an S Pen or digital pen, is a very good accessory for a device with a large screen. IPads pair very well with the Apple Pencil. So do the Galaxy Note with the S Pen. Of course, in a folding mobile it would also be a very good combination. Having a compatible digital pen increases the possibilities, both in productivity and in entertainment. We are talking about a folding screen, which gets bigger. Of course, with compatible applications.
Modules for productivity
We return to a feature that has worked very well on tablets and that could also work well on devices with a folding screen. I am referring to modules dedicated to productivity, accessories that can be attached to the smartphone, such as a keyboard in the purest style of the Apple Smart Keyborad. Or, a module similar to Samsung Del that allows us to turn the terminal into a desktop computer. This type of accessories would be highly recommended for those looking for a mobile for productivity. We must not forget that the main advantage of having a mobile with a folding screen is that we can also use it as a tablet, why not as a computer?
And for games
Of course, also modules for the games, controllers or controls to increase the experience. There are many smartphones that already have these accessories. Above all, those dedicated to Gaming. On more than one occasion we have seen how a mobile with a folding screen can run games. A very practical case is this video of the Huawei Mate X running a video game. The flip-down screen enhances the experience, and a control that docks on the sides or under the device would make this experience even greater.
In fact, a Samsung patent unveiled by LetsGo Digital, showed a flexible mobile gaming concept, with controls on the sides. It is a patent, and it is very likely that this device will not go on the market. But without a doubt, it would be a very good alternative.
More ranges with different prices
Flexible terminals are currently in the high-end range. This is normal, especially since they are products with a very premium manufacture, and even if they incorporate mid-range specifications, their price would also be very high. However, it does not mean that in the future we want to see cheaper mobile phones with a folding screen. It seems that Xiaomi is already thinking about it.
Other display formats
A concept mobile with a folding screen from Sharp.
Current flexible mobiles have a very similar screen format. It is as if they were two panels in one, which inevitably makes it a kind of tablet. Fortunately, some manufacturers are working on other display formats. This is what the last feature is about, including other different formats. For example, a 6.4-inch screen that folds up to make it more compact.
Another practical example would be a terminal very similar to the 'shell type'. In this case, the flexible panel would not serve to increase the experience with multimedia content, but would be used to improve the handling of the terminal, making it much more compact. For what type of users would this type of device be intended? For the elderly, since they would have a compact terminal with a large screen to be able to view larger content.
The good thing about flexible mobiles
Although I have detailed 5 characteristics that would be missing in a flexible mobile, this type of terminal has features that are very practical and differential. A great example is optimization in software. We have seen how Samsung or Huawei optimize their interface to bring it to these screens. Not only because of the size (although some features are not even in their tablets) but because of the possibilities of a moldable panel.
Three apps on the Samsung Galaxy Fold.
For example. Samsung allows you to launch up to three applications on a split screen. In this way we can use WhatsApp on one side, Facebook on the other and below, view a YouTube video. Huawei has demonstrated another very cool camera-related feature. The flexible screen can make users see what the camera is capturing, perfect for self photos.
At the moment there are very few flexible terminals . There are many manufacturers that are working with this type of device and this technology, which unfortunately cannot start. The concept of folding mobiles is very premature, but they are necessary functions for a terminal where productivity, multimedia experience and user-friendliness must reign.
