Fold n' Roll: this smartphone folds and rolls
It's only a concept so far, but TCL’s «Fold n' Roll» – yes, that’s really what it’s called – combines two technologies that manufacturers have been using to make their devices larger. The result? A smartphone that turns into a 10-inch tablet.
On 14 April 2021, TCL unveiled several new smartphones. However, they’re all low-cost models and were quickly forgotten once the manufacturer presented the Fold n' Roll.
Forever a concept?
Smartphone displays have become larger and larger every year. At just under 7 inches, however, they’ve reached a limit. People's pockets and hands just aren’t big enough. And still, the desire for even larger displays is still there. The solution? Displays that can be enlarged. So far, there are two technologies for this: folding and rolling. Foldable smartphones or flip phones fold open to reveal the full size of the display. Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold or Huawei’s Mate X are examples of foldable phones that went on sale for a lot of money.
Rollable or roll-out displays are only concepts so far. There’s no reliable smartphone on the market just yet. The LG Rollable (RIP) and the Oppo X 2021 are two examples.
TCL is now combining folding and rolling technology. The result is the Fold n' Roll, a smartphone with a 6.87-inch touchscreen that expands to 8.85 inches when you flip it open. If that's not enough, you can unroll it to 10 inches.
Looks crazy, doesn’t it? If you have trouble deciding between smartphone and tablet, this gadget is for you.
However, you’ll need some patience. TCL hasn’t published any details on features or development schedule of this phone. So maybe the Fold n' Roll will never be more than a concept. Especially since TCL has shown concept smartphones in the past that never became reality. After all, the manufacturer tends to focus on inexpensive devices and if you add the cost of a reliable display to the prices for the foldable smartphones, the result is anything but a bargain.
When I was but a young student, I'd sit in my friend's living room with all my classmates and play on his SuperNES. Since then I've had the opportunity to test out all the newest technology for you. I've done reviews at Curved, Computer Bild and Netzwelt, and have now arrived at Galaxus.de.