Hands On With TCL's Foldable Phone Prototype That Folds In Zigzag

Despite the continuous releases of foldable phones, there’s no guarantee you won’t be surprised one more time and the new prototype from TCL for a dual-hinged smartphone that tri-folds and unfolds into a 10-inch tablet may get your eyes wide open.

The best thing about this phone is that its hinges move in two different directions. While the Dragon Hinge folds in, the Butterfly Hinge folds outwards. The hinges together form a zigzag shape when you close and open the phone, like a Z.

This prototype device has no name, pricing, and it’s not in production, its screen doesn’t work. But all that will come.

For example, folding out one panel can turn a part of the display into a keyboard while another part serves as the screen. When closing the phone completely, you can use it as a chunky device.

There will be creases as you unfold the phone, and we haven’t had bendable glass for protecting the screen. So you have all the reasons to question the wear and tear on this phone, which features plastic material for the cover that is exposed to dust and rain, pressure, sharp objects, etc. We have seen the same problems on the Samsung Galaxy Fold, which made the company delay its launch for a redesign.

As of now, we can’t tell what would be the best design for a foldable phone, which makes it even more exciting. We are in a time when companies will work on all types of ideas they can for a foldable handset, including vertical folding, horizontal folding, dual-fold, tri-fold, and so on.

Meanwhile, Microsoft unveiled the Surface Pro Duo set to launch next year and Xiaomi shared an early prototype device whose two side panels fold behind the center one.

If TCL’s prototype becomes a real product, it will have to overcome challenges to make sure the phone is sturdy enough, an affordable price, as well as a sales plan to bring the phone to as many hands as possible.

Anyway, for now, here’s all we know about TCL’s foldable phone. When fully unfolded, the phone features a 10-inch display, it may have four cameras on the rear as well as a front-facing cam. Besides, the device may house a USB-C charging port, no headphone jack, and offers an iridescent finish.