Vivo and Transsion Set to Launch Slide-Able Phone Next Year
The world’s first slideable phone is reportedly in development by Chinese companies Vivo and Transsion. Last September, Transsion revealed its first slideable phone prototype which gathered a lot of hype. Chinese companies have realized that surpassing Samsung in the foldable market is not possible and henceforth adopting new design techniques to pass the leading mobile manufacturer. The slideable panel for this device is being developed by CSOT, a Chinese display company.
According to industry reports on the 9th, Vivo and Transsion are aiming to launch this design by the end of next year. The device will be able to provide an extendable display that can be utilized for many purposes e.g: gaming, productivity etc.
The primary concept behind the slideable phones has already been tried by LG just before it pulled out of the smartphone market, though it was called rollable phones at that time. Those “rollable” panels were provided by BOE at that time.
Tecno Phantom Ultimate
Transsion’s “Tecno Phantom Ultimate” slide phone was introduced as a concept device in September of Last Year. This product was first shown off by Transsion as a rollable smartphone. Transsion states that pressing the product’s top button causes the 6.55-inch display to expand to the full 7.11-inch size in 1.2–1.3 seconds.
Transsion claims that its product uses power-efficient thin-film transsistors made from low-temperature polycrystalline oxide (LTPO). Displayed on a 7.11-inch screen at a resolution of 2296×1596 with a pixel density of 388PPI (Pixels Per Inch), etc. Samsung Electronics’ Galaxy Z Fold 5 folding phone, which debuted in the second half of 2023, features a 7.6-inch infinity display with a resolution of 2176×1812 and a pixel density of 373PPI.
CSOT designed the new product panel concept for the Transsion slideable phone. It has been stated that Transsion is working on a product (Tecno Phantom Ultimate) with the intention of releasing it before the end of 2024. The interior structure of the slideable phone needs to be made in such a way that the extended screen can endure external shocks without causing any damage. The hinge used in foldable smartphones serves a distinct purpose here as well.
Vivo is also working on a sliding phone for a possible parallel release. The panel for Vivo’s sliding phone is rumoured to come from either CSOT or Samsung Display. Compared to Samsung Display, CSOT is thought to be less affected by the production yield of innovative form factor products, thus it may be more involved in the supply of Vivo slideable phone panels.
As it seems unlikely that they would be able to compete with Samsung Electronics in the foldable phone market, Chinese smartphone manufacturers are reportedly working hard on slideable phones. Samsung Electronics is working on a wide range of form factor devices, including slideable phones, but right now it needs to concentrate on growing the market for foldable phones. Delivering the world’s first mass-produced slideable phone panels could give the Chinese government the image that they are at the forefront of inventing innovative form factor products, and CSOT and other Chinese panel makers could benefit from this perception.
Further details are unknown as of yet, however, we will make sure to update you in case of any progression.
Source: The Elec
