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Sharp's foldable phone demo is a flippin' clamshell, is it a better design than Galaxy Fold or Mate X?

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By Daniel Petrov

Updated: Apr 18, 2019, 8:43 AM

If you are disappointed by the two current approaches to foldable phones - the horizontal in-folding type of the Galaxy Fold or the out-folding Mate X - there is another way, and it makes plenty of sense.

Sharp's vertical in-folding phone patents have now been translated into a working prototype, and the company just demonstrated the concept which resembles a foldable clamshell of sorts and works like a charm.

In fact, Sharp's approach is closer to what we imagined a foldable handset would be - an old-fashioned flip phone that has an uninterrupted screen where the hinge would be, making it compact to carry, and giving you a huge display when you need it.

The Galaxy Fold and Mate X are chasing a different concept, and are rather bulky when folded in addition to impractical when unfurled. Watching YouTube on the unfurled display, for instance, renders a huge chunk of their large displays unutilized which defeats the purpose of lugging a bulky and expensive foldable phone with you.

Now, the only thing left is to hear the specs of the Sharp's folding phone prototype and whether the company aims to license or materialize it in some form. The 6.2" OLED screen is certainly ready and can be folded 300,000 times before it creases, says Sharp. The more foldable form factors, the merrier.

Sharp's foldable phone patents are now in the prototyping stage

Is Sharp's 'flip phone' foldable a better concept than the Galaxy Fold or Mate X?

Yes

62.82%

Nah, I prefer the Galaxy Fold approach

21.37%

Nah, I prefer the Mate X approach

15.81%

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Daniel, a devoted tech writer at PhoneArena from 2010 to 2025, has been engrossed in mobile technology since the Windows Mobile era. His expertise spans mobile hardware, software, and carrier networks, and he's keenly interested in the future of digital health, car connectivity, and 5G. Beyond his professional pursuits, Daniel finds balance in travel, reading, and exploring new tech innovations, while contemplating the ethical and privacy implications of our digital future.