Huawei, as we know has joined the bandwagon of building a foldable smartphone, but now it seems it will be the first launch one. According to a new report from ET Times, the company is aiming to unveil the new device in November. The report also adds that Huawei has opted for an "inward" folding mechanism, unlike Samsung who is said to be working on a "fold back" design.
The report further states that LG Display will be supplying the display panels to Huawei, instead of the biggest OLED player Samsung Display. It is still unclear whether the device will be available in big quantity, as Huawei might take cues from initial user feedback to shape up the production of the device.
This isn't the first time a company has been ambitious about a foldable smartphone design. Earlier ZTE unveiled its Axon M which comprised of two screens. Besides, other major OEMs such as Samsung, OPPO, and others have been working on the new form factor.
LG also recently won a new patent for a foldable smartphone that has two batteries. What's more surprising, in a time where major OEMs are cutting ties with the 3.5mm audio jack and turning to Lightning and Type-C ports for audio, LG's new patent has room for two audio jacks. The patent was published by the World Intellectual Property Organization.
The new patent has an uncanny resemblance with the ZTE Axon M going by the fact that the design revolves around two display panels connected through a hinge. The new patent also envisions what is essentially a combination of two standalone displays that have their own battery reservoir and separate 3.5mm audio ports for audio accessories.
One of the two screens appears to feature an optical fingerprint sensor placed underneath the display, with the same side also housing a dual camera setup. It's unclear whether both the batteries will be used simultaneously, well that could be the case to balance the battery life of both the cells.
Well, this goes without saying that not all patents make it to the production stage, and get scrapped due to the technical constraints. But it will be interesting to see how companies develop these smartphones that offer functionality and looks at the same time.
