TMTPost -- Huawei ’ s new patent showed off a breakthrough in foldable phone screen, which could be leveraged to used the company ’ s upcoming triple-folding smartphone.
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Huawei obtained a patent for its invention called folding-screened device, according to a recent publication of the China National Intellectual Property Administration ( CNIPA ) . The patent, which Huawei applied for on February 18, aims to make the device thinner through multiple housings whose thicknesses are different from each other. Such design reduces the overall thickness of the folding screen device in the folded state and also makes the device lighter, providing users with a better grip. The patent provides a folding-screen mechanism consists of the first, second, and third housing, the first and second hinge and flexible screen. Each housing is connected to the flexible screen by ends, and the first and second hinge ensures strong holding between the connected components.The first hinge can twist itself to allow the fold and unfold mechanics of the first housing component, connected to the second housing. The same applies to the second hinge and linked components.
The patent marks Huawei achieved another technology breakthrough in folding screen. "For this patented technology, ( Huawei ’ s ) research and development ( R&D ) has started a few years ago, and related patents in 2022 has made new progress in it," a Huawei insider confirmed to Securities Daily, a state-backed Chinese securities newspaper. The insider said the timetable of mass production and launch still depends on the progress Huawei is making. "According to our research, the tri-folding screen mobile phone developed by Huawei is currently well under progress, and test for the maturity of projects such as related flexible ultra-thin glass ( UTG ) cover has started months ago," Wang Haoyu, CEO at Hong Kong-based Merit Asset Management, told Securities Daily. The paer cited Chen Jun, vice general manager and chief analyst at research and consulting firm Sigmaintell, that the tri-folding screen product is expected to go on sale this year as all the leading flexible OLED panel manufacturers at home and abroad currently are conducting pre-R&D for such offerings.
Earlier this year, Huawei was reported to launch its triple-folding smartphone as soon as the second quarter of this year. Production of the brand new handset is said to make steady progress as Huawei is testing new components and ultra-thin flexible glass screens. While Huawei didn ’ t confirm the report yet, Taiwan-based newspaper Economic Daily News noted in February that two Taiwanese hinge suppliers --Jarllytec Co., Ltd. and Fositek Corp have received more orders from the company for it is preparing for components of the foldable mobile.
The paper learned 40% of Jarllytech ’ s overall revenue now comes from foldable smartphones and all of them are Huawei ’ s orders. It reported Jarllytech is striving to meet major client ’ s demand. The biggest difference between existing foldable handsets and Huawei ’ s triple-folding offering is the latter has three display panels, instead of two, and will be equipped with two sets of hinges, doubling from the existing ones, the paper cited industry insiders. It also cited sources from supply chain that Huawei recently placed big orders for its new foldable handset and its purchase of display panel has exceeded Samsung, though Huawei ’ s major display suppliers are Samsung and BOE and hasn ’ t included any Taiwanese manufacturers.
Other sources suggested Huawei has started large scale purchase for its triple foldable smartphone as it is ready for the mass production. The new phone is likely to have an S or Z-shaped folding design, and its screen size will to be around 6.4 inches, similar to other standard smartphones. Unlike the current foldables using a 16:9 or 18:9 ratio aspect, Huawei ’ s new tri-folding mobile might feature a 28:9 or 18:9 design, providing users with an innovative transformation from phone to tablet.
