Sharp's Patent Foldable Phone Described In 3D Renders

Foldable smartphones are clearly considered as the next big innovation in global mobile technology. Currently, only Huawei and Samsung have unveiled their own foldable devices. However, other phone makers seem to work on their own foldable phones too, including the Japanese tech giant, Sharp.

It is known that Sharp filed a patent in 2017 and it appeared on the database of the World Intellectual Property Office (WIPO). Let’s take a look at the sketches which partially show the functionality and design of the device.

And thanks to the 3D renders by LetsGoDigital, we can now have better look at this foldable phone. The renders describe a phone with a tall bezel-less screen, which vertically folds like a vanilla clam-shell phone.

Additionally, the handset comes with a dual-hinge design. Therefore users can fold it in half as well as make the upper display part slightly stick out. This can help users quickly check for their new messages and read them.

But the renders of Sharp's foldable phone do not show any selfie camera on the front and there is only one single sensor on the back. Certainly, it is a 2017 design, therefore it will change before the launch for sure. And Sharp is expected to make wider cut-out on its expensive device for housing over one lens.

However, we should take the patents with a pinch of salt because not everything in patents comes true. And if so, the real handset could look quite different from that in the render images.

2019 will likely see the launch of various foldable phones. In particular, Huawei has already unveiled the Mate X, and Samsung, the Galaxy Fold. Additionally, Xiaomi also teased its own foldable smartphone which is expected to launch this year. Other OEMs like OPPO, Motorola, and LG are also reported to be working on their foldable phones.