ZTE has revealed the first folding phone, beating Samsung and LG to the punch. The new Axon M has two 5.2′ displays, which can be used to show separate apps, or work together as a larger tablet display.
It comes as Samsung, LG and Apple are all believed to be working on folding displays for future phones.
The new phone, available on AT&T, has four modes so users can choose what to display on each screen.
When folded, it looks like a traditional smartphone
‘The ZTE Axon M is the beginning of a significant movement of smartphone capabilities, and ZTE is leading the way,’ said Lixin Cheng, CEO of ZTE Mobile Devices.
‘The mobile technology ecosystem and consumer habits have evolved over the past several years, but the smartphone experience has only slightly varied throughout that time until today, with the introduction of the Axon M.
‘Consumers need and expect more from their current smartphone and we are proud to collaborate with carriers around the world and AT&T in the U.S. to transform their mobile experience.’
ZTE will work with developers to help optimize applications for this new evolution of dual screen smartphones.
‘We’re thrilled to bring the revolutionary ZTE Axon M exclusively to the nation’s best data network,’ said Kevin Petersen, SVP of Device and Network Services Marketing, AT&T Entertainment Group.
‘Our customers continue to demand more from their mobile entertainment experience. Pairing DIRECTV with the dual screen capabilities of the ZTE Axon M will deliver a new and transformative way to enjoy the entertainment they want on the network they need.’
While LG and Samsung are both developing folding screens, it is believed Apple chose to work with LG over fears to avoid privacy issues.
‘LG Display recently created a task force to develop a foldable OLED screen for the new iPhone model, while its parts-making sister firm LG Innotek has also setup a team dedicated to developing the rigid flexible printed circuit board, more widely called RFPCB,’ the Investor says.
‘Panel production could start from 2020,’ it claims.
Samsung’s first foldable phone is likely to debut next year, it is believed.
LG has already reveal several foldable prototype devices, including one that folds over like a book and a second that rolls up much like a newspaper.
In 2014, it showed off a working 18-inch Ultra HD screen that uses a special film instead of plastic as backing.
This allowed the screen to be rolled into a tight tube for transport.
At the time, the company said it could make its debut in 2017.
Daily Mail
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