That’s precisely what TCL has done with its new “Fold ‘n Roll” concept. Behold (start around the 30-minute mark): The device has a hinge that can both fold as well as unfurl the flexible screen tucked inside the body of the device, going from a 6.87-inch phone to a 10-inch tablet. It also appears to feature a stylus, at the bottom of the device, making it enticing for scribbling on the go. Now, I should make it clear the Fold ‘n Roll is just a concept device. TCL didn’t give any specs or time frame for release. For all we know, this is little more than something marketing came up with to add a bit of pizzazz to TCL’s presentation; the company did not show off a working prototype, only renders.
The device also features an ‘outer’ screen, which means it’s more likely to get damaged with a pliable display like this. Still, I absolutely love the idea. It gives you a bit more flexibility over your aspect ratio and form-factor than a folding or rollable phone on its own, but mostly, it just feels like the type of futuristic phones we might see in a sci-fi movie. TCL does say it has a folding phone on the way this year, just not this one. One for 2022, perhaps?
