TCL presents another concept for folding devices

New TCL concept device (photo: Engadget)New TCL concept device (photo: Engadget)

No surprise to anyone that 2020 would still be a year for folding devices. The Motorola Razr and Galaxy Z Flip are already on sale in some markets, and it seems that TCL is getting ready to head into this segment.

We have already seen several company devices, each with a different proposal to "double" the user. However, so far the models presented are conceptual.

Recently the company presented two prototypes, we even talked about one of them right here at Oficina da Net, the prototype expands laterally transforming smartphone into tablet, the other concept of folding, a little different, it has three parts, that is, its screen folds twice. When opened the new conceptual device delivers a huge screen of 10 inches.

Engadget personnel had access to the three-part foldable tablet and also the expanding device.

The first has a 10-inch 3K screen that folds twice in a Z configuration to become a 6.65-inch phone with a 20.8: 9 aspect ratio. There are two hinges under the screen, one folded out and the other folded in.

Unfortunately, as expected, without even seeing the device, it would be incredibly thick. To give you an idea, when folded it would correspond to almost three Galaxy S20 Ultra, one on top of the other.

In addition to the thickness, some discomfort in folding and unfolding the device has also been reported, requiring more strength than usual in addition to having to align the three panels separated by the two hinges.

Some applications were accessible to illustrate the use of the huge screen, and the demonstration highlighted an editing application that uses the right third for controls and the left two to display the image being edited.

It is also possible to split the screen with two applications and adjust its widths to suit your needs. Furthermore, it is possible to place the folded device on a table and set it up almost like a laptop, using a folded panel to hold it and the bottom screen like a digital keyboard.

Unfortunately this is such a new concept that basically there are no applications that adapt to these modes and the software is not one of TCL's strengths, I understand that the company does not yet have applications that take advantage of this triple panel format.

It is still unclear whether TCL will actually bring a foldable device to the market in 2020, but we can see its commitment to bringing more and more concepts to the market.