OPPO announced the world’s first rollable smartphone a couple of days ago, and that device is more durable than you think. The name of the phone is the OPPO X 2021, and it is referred to as a ‘concept’ device.
OPPO did actually manufacture that phone, and we’ve seen a number of real-life images and videos of the phone. The device works, so OPPO did not just create a bunch of renders and introduced those.
In any case, the company’s hardware structural engineer, Jin Xiang, shared some interesting information at a recent press conference, says Abdul Q. Mr. Xiang said that the OPPO X 2021 has been extensively tested.
World’s first rollable smartphone is quite durable, OPPO’s engineer claims
He says that the phone has been tested for 100,000 curls / rolls. So, OPPO expanded, and retracted the display 100,000 times, and that is not the limit. That essentially means that you can roll it 50 times a day for five years.
Mr. Xiang was quite clear that 100,000 curls / rolls is not the limit, as already mentioned. The phone can go above that, the company just hasn’t tested how far, though. You can see the device in action down below.
OPPO hardware structural engineer Jin Xiang at a recent press conference said, OPPO X 2021 has been tested rigourously for 100,000 curls. 50 times a day shouldn't be a problem. It can be used for five years, and 100,000 times is not the limit. pic.twitter.com/OYMvRZJZEq
— Abdul Q. (@AndroidSaint) November 20, 2020
This does look quite impressive. The OPPO X 2021 is not available to purchase just yet, though. We’re hoping it will go on sale soon, but that may not happen. A recent report suggested we may have to wait until 2022 due to the display.
That display is manufactured by BOE, and a tipster noted that it may not be ready for mass production until 2022. That’s quite a long wait, especially considering that LG is planning to announce a rollable smartphone in H1 2021. Samsung is likely working on one as well.
OPPO is the first one that showed off a working unit of such a device, though. Who knows, maybe the report was wrong, and the company actually manages to offer this device before any other company, we’ll see.