Galaxy Fold, Mate X, Razr and more: here are all foldable phones that arrive

As 5G Phonesfoldable phones are undeniably on the rise. In February, the trend stole the show At MWC 2019, many phone manufacturers announced their foldable phone plans. With a flexible device already available for purchase and a few others expected this year, phones with foldable screens are no longer distant concepts. Everyone, from major brands like Samsung and lesser known brands like Huawei, to unknown startups like Royole, is ready to inject a much needed shaking in the industry.

In addition, Google is committed to providing Android support for foldable designs, we can expect more phone companies to get involved in the trend. (Given some of his own recently released patent filings, he could even pull out his own foldable phone.)

If you're struggling to keep abreast of companies that have announced projects, filed a patent or if the rumor is simple to jump on the train, read the CNET guide on the identity of foldable phones.

Originally released on January 26, 2019
Update April 13: Added information on the pre-order of Galaxy Fold.

Samsung Galaxy Fold: the pre-order starts on April 15 and is available on April 26

As the largest tech company to have launched their hat in the ring, many were eager to know the Galaxy Fold at Samsung Unpacked and that did not disappoint. When closed, the Fold features a 4.6-inch secondary display that serves as a "cache", with all the usual features of a phone. When you're ready for something big, the Fold opens like a book on a 7.3-inch tablet.

To have the phone, you must first make a reservation for the Galaxy Fold when you register online to receive more information from Samsung. (Unfortunately, the UK site does not have a Fold page yet.) In Australia, click "Pre-register now" on this page.) You must then order the device in advance, which will begin on Monday. April 15th. The Fold will be available in the United States on April 26 and costs a nice penny at $ 1,980 (about £ 1,500 or $ 2,800 Australian).

To realize the design of the phone without visible line on the screen, the Fold is equipped with what the company calls an Infinity Flex screen. Essentially made from a sleek plastic material, the screen can bend and bend hundreds of times without breaking. With the help of Google's operating system, applications will switch seamlessly between display sizes.

The fold also has six cameras. On the back, there is the same thing triple camera configuration like the Galaxy S10 and on the front a single 10 megapixel camera. In tablet form, there are two additional cameras inside: a selfie camera and an 8 megapixel depth camera.

But this is not the end. Samsung would be developing two other foldable phones, according to Bloomberg. Quoting people familiar with the company's plans, Bloomberg said that one phone was bending vertically, while the other was bending inward rather than outward, as the Fold.

Huawei Mate X: available in mid-2019 & # 39;

Jump on the trend of foldable phones and 5G, Huawei's new phone has both. the Mate X has a 6.6-inch folded screen and an 8-inch OLED screen when you open it. 5G connectivity is four times faster than 4G, a 4,500 mAh battery and three rear cameras.

Similar to the Fold, it will also be very expensive at 2,299 euros, about $ 2,600, £ 2,000 or AU $ 3,660. However, at the main event of the MWC at the first announcement of the phone by Huawei, the company hinted that cheaper models can come in the pipeline.

It is unlikely, however, that Mate X will be available in the United States when launched in mid-2019. Calling it a security threat to the Department of Defense, the US government has banned the sale of Huawei phones on US military bases. Giant of the retail sale Best Buy stopped selling them in March 2018 and Huawei CFO was arrested in Canada at the request of the United States in an act his father said was politically motivated. Huawei devices are still available in more than 170 countries around the world. according to a spokesman for Huawei.

Royole FlexPai: available now

Developed by a startup based in Fremont, California, the Royole Flexpai was the first flexible phone to debut in October 2018. The phone features a 7.8-inch plastic AMOLED display and it is already on sale. You'll pay $ 1,318 (£ 1,209) for the 6GB RAM and 128GB variants. That's $ 1,469 (£ 1,349) for the 8GB RAM and 256GB version. were not published, but converted to approximately $ 2,180 and $ 2,440 respectively.)

FlexPai runs an operating system called Water, which is superimposed on Google Android 9.0. Regardless of how you choose to hold or fold the device, the screen will adapt to its many orientations and viewing options. Although rough on the edges When we got our hands on it, the FlexPai gave us one of the first strong insights into what the future of foldable phones will hold.

Motorola: confirmed

Since its patent application became public in December 2017, rumors have circulated that Motorola, acquired by Lenovo in 2014, would resurrect the famous Motorola Razr phone with a foldable screen. Later, a leader of the company to Motorola has confirmed something was going to happen in the pipeline, probably in summer.

The Razr reboot will cost Verizon $ 1,500. Refreshing the phone would be a smart move for Motorola. Since its original launch in 2004, the beloved phone has has gained iconic status for his Elegant design, slim profile and various color options at once.

THC: confirmed, to come in 2020

Mostly known for its affordable TVs, the TCL Chinese technology company is working on a number of foldable devices, including two tablets, two phones and a cuff-shaped phone that you wear on your wrist. Although not being a known name in the United States, you may know TCL better through other brands that it owns, including BlackBerry, Alcatel and Palm.

Upcoming devices all have a flexible AMLELE screen that can bend because of what TCL calls a DragonHinge. Patented by the company, the hinge allows the screens to fold inwards and outwards. TCL estimates that its first folding phone will be available in 2020 and could cost less than $ 1,000, which would make it much cheaper than the Galaxy Fold.

Xiaomi Dual Flex or Mix Flex: confirmed

In January, Chinese phone maker Xiaomi introduced its new foldable phone on the Weibo social media platform. Unlike previous phones that we saw, which only have one fold in the center, Xiaomi's phone folds in three, with both sides folded.

Xiaomi co-founder and chairman, Bin Lin, said that this form factor is "convenient and beautiful" and that it "perfectly merges the experience of a tablet and a phone. ". No specification or pricing information has been given, but Xiaomi is currently voting on two possible names: Dual Flex or Mix Flex.

Nubia Alpha: confirmed

Nubia, an associate of Chinese phone manufacturer ZTE, pushes the foldable phone concept a step further with its Nubia Alpha. Introduced to the MWC, the Alpha is unique in that it is a phone that marries the wrist of the user, like a smart watch. It has a flexible screen of 4.01 inches, gestural controls and a water resistant design.

This is not the first time we see a phone that looks like the Alpha. In 2016, Lenovo had a device called CPluswho had a 4.26-inch screen that you folded on your wrist. But Alpha is not a concept – although Nubia has not released pricing or availability dates, it will make alpha available commercially.

Apple: Rumor, with patent application

In February, Apple again updated its patent application for a double-shell phone with a foldable screen and case. Deposits are ongoing since the first registration by Apple eight years ago, in 2011. Since then, rumors of a flexible iPhone are reigniting with each new updated document, which have been filed 2014, 2016 and 2017.

Depending on the deposits, the phone "may have a flexible portion for folding the device". But according to his usual style, Apple has remained silent on the details. Until now, none of these patents has materialized in the eyes of the public, and there is no information on what this device could be (and even if it's not available). 39, would act even from a phone) nor a delay to predict. some products.

Google: Rumor, with patent application

We already know that Google plans to support foldable phones with its Android OS platform. But in December 2018, the technology giant filed a patent application for a foldable device. Although this does not officially confirm that the company launches a foldable phone, it's at least an option. The patent relates to a "foldable display of a computing device and comprises a rear backing layer, a transparent front plate layer, a transparent cover window layer and an OLED display layer disposed between the backing layer. rear reinforcement and transparent front plate layer ".

Lenovo: Rumor, with patent application

As mentioned earlier, Lenovo introduced the concept CPlus phone in 2016, which could fold and wrap around your wrist like the Nubia Alpha. While it was a concept phone at the time, Lenovo is striving to market a true foldable phone. Last July filed a patent application for a "portable information device" with a "foldable configuration".

LG: rumor

In 2014, LG launched the G Flex, a phone with a curved screen. Most recently at CES 2019, he showed a Roll-up TV which will be on sale later this year. We know that LG has technology in preparation for a flexible phone and that the company is said to work on a.

For now, we have no idea what the phone will look like, how much it will cost or when it will arrive. According to rumors, LG would present one at the CES, but it turned out that it was a false alarm. And later at the MWC, LG had an accessory that added a second screen to his LG V50 phone, but unfortunately, none of the devices will bend.