Oppo is holding off on building rollable phones commercially

2021-04-18

The Oppo X 2021 rollable phone concept can expand its 6.7” display to 7.4” thanks to a rollable screen panel and a motor-powered sliding mechanism to unroll it. It’s an impressive tech demo and just that – the company has no short-term plans to build a mass market device with such a design.

“Although there is no plan for its commercialization in the short term, it will serve as a guide for the transformation and evolution of future product form factors. Commercialization requires market research and business justification, and may take some time,” wrote Oppo to Android Authority.

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Oppo may be waiting for more durable flefxible screens to be developed. The Oppo X 2021 uses a plastic screen, just like the current crop of foldables, though it has a “hard cover” to improve durability. (note: ultra thin glass, UTG, is used for its optical properties and is not a replacement for strengthened glass)

Oppo’s rollable concept used a display manufactured by BOE. The Chinese company isn’t the only one working on rollable panels – LG’s B Project is coming in March, a rollable phone that will use an LG Display panel.

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