SoylentNews is people
SoylentNews
A closer look at Royole's foldable display
The FlexPai's anticipated December release seemingly came out of nowhere. Like competitors, Royole had shown off its proprietary folding technology as part of a standalone demos, but it hadn't teased the arrival of a smartphone until the device was ready to ship. It's a far cry, certainly, from the not ready for prime time prototype Samsung marched out on stage last month.
At an event in Shenzhen, CEO Bill Liu told TechCrunch that the company was built around the desire to bring the technology to market. "We started from the flexible displays and flexible sensors," he explained. "We started the company with a focus on the flexible displays and sensors. And then along the way, we realized this could be a huge application for the technology."
[...] It's a difficult problem and Royole solved it with in-house technologies. No one can take that away from the company. I can't say my initial apprehensions were ultimately dissuaded, however. The FlexPai mostly works as desired, but the execution isn't what ultimately the kind of premium product one would expect, given the ultra-premium price tag (around $1,300 American).
Liu happily dropped the phone a couple of times on stage, in an attempt to put to rest any durability question. While the display ultimately didn't crack or scratch, the flexible material looks almost like cellophane and sports crinkles that catch the light — the clarity also leaves something to be desire.
As far as portability, it's true that you can fold it up and stuff it in your pocket, though it's pretty chunky when you do so. Ultimately, these are first generation products — and likely a result of a company pushing to be first to market, knowing full well that companies like Samsung were breathing down its neck.
Don't be an early adopter.
Previously: Royole Beats Samsung and Others in Race to Create the First Foldable Smartphone
Google Will Support Foldable Devices; Samsung Announces 2019 Foldable Phone
(Score: 2) by PartTimeZombie on Monday November 19 2018, @08:01PM (6 children)
I use both a phone and a tablet for various content consuming activities, and having one device able to be both things would be great.
I won't be buying the Royale however, or the Samsung device as it is going to take several years for manufacturers to figure out how to make it all work, then figure out the little wrinkles that actually make a usable device.
I might wind up getting a Samsung X-4 (or 5 maybe).
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday November 19 2018, @08:19PM
I'll consider getting a flexible phone once Apple "invents" it in 5 years or so.
(Score: 3, Interesting) by takyon on Monday November 19 2018, @08:26PM (4 children)
In some cases, literal wrinkles.
I don't think we'll need to wait "several years" though. Flexible OLEDs are probably going to be made in the hundreds of millions by Samsung and LG, and will even be added to non-flexible devices due to their shatterproof nature. They may not command a price premium for very long, so we could see them in the $100-200 devices. I would revisit this 2 years after the Samsung Flexiwhatever debut.
[SIG] 10/28/2017: Soylent Upgrade v14 [soylentnews.org]
(Score: 2) by PartTimeZombie on Monday November 19 2018, @09:07PM (3 children)
Two years might be a little optimistic, but you might be right.
I wonder what Apple is making of this? Have they the courage to make a foldable phone?
(Score: 4, Funny) by takyon on Monday November 19 2018, @09:21PM (1 child)
Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts. [9to5mac.com]
[SIG] 10/28/2017: Soylent Upgrade v14 [soylentnews.org]
(Score: 2) by PartTimeZombie on Monday November 19 2018, @09:33PM
Oh yes. I had forgotten they were first to market with a bending phone.
(Score: 3, Funny) by c0lo on Monday November 19 2018, @09:26PM
A self-driving car.
With Jobs no more, it will be a concrete example of reality distortion.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoFiw2jMy-0 https://soylentnews.org/~MichaelDavidCrawford