LG Is Developing An Outward Folding Smartphone
LG seems to be gearing up for an exciting 2019. Ever since the inception of smartphones, the form factor has largely remained the same. The year 2019 is expected to showcase smartphones with new form factors. A patent assigned to LG states that the company is developing a unique looking foldable smartphone.
Foldable LG Smartphone
LG had filed a patent for a foldable smartphone with WIPO (World Intellectual Property Office) and USPTO (United States Patent and Trademark Office) that has now been granted. In the past, several LG foldable smartphone patents have leaked but the latest patent has a totally different folding style. The new patent reveals an LG smartphone that folds on the outwards vs inwards or rolling.
Samsung has also showcased the Galaxy F smartphone that has an inward folding display. It seems LG wants to leave no stone unturned and is trying to experiment with as many types of foldable devices. The LG patent is detailed enough and clearly explains how LG conceptualises an outward folding smartphone
Patent Revelations
The outward folding LG device looks like two symmetrically stacked smartphones that have been consolidated by a flexible touchscreen display. The left part of the device conceals a spring operated mechanism that elongates when the smartphone is unfolded outwards. This elongation of the left part allows the foldable display to stay tight and wrinkle-free.
The device when unfolded transforms into a tablet with a widescreen display. When in tablet mode the UI of the device also adjusts automatically for easy operability. The middle of the display acts as the main navigation bar that has a swipeable list of icons for applications. The device can simultaneously display two different applications on either halves or a single application as per the need.
Launch Date
Also Read: LG Will Launch A Smartwatch With An Inband Camera
The launch date of the outward folding LG smartphone is unknown but the company might showcase some type of foldable smartphone at the upcoming MWC which is scheduled for 25-28 January 2019.
