Tecno Unveils a Tri-Fold Prototype Phone with a 10-Inch Screen
Five years ago, when foldable phones first entered the market, many skeptics criticized their fragility and bulkiness. However, these early concerns have largely been addressed. Today’s leading foldable phones are only slightly thicker than traditional smartphones and are nearly as durable,
as evidenced by numerous high-profile "torture tests" conducted by the media in recent years. My personal experience, involving years of use and the occasional accidental drop, further supports this.
The evolution of foldable phone technology has reached a significant milestone: Tecno has introduced a prototype tri-fold phone, featuring a single 10-inch screen that folds in two places, creating a Z-shaped compact phone when closed.
It’s important to emphasize that this device, named the Tecno Phantom Ultimate 2, is still a prototype and not yet ready for market release. However, given the rapid pace of development by Chinese tech companies, it wouldn’t be surprising if it hits the shelves within a year. In fact, rumors suggest that Huawei is also on the verge of launching its own tri-fold phone, although details about Huawei’s device remain largely under wraps, save for a few leaks.
According to Tecno’s press release, the tri-fold prototype measures just 11mm when folded, which is particularly impressive considering it stacks three layers of screens.
One of the intriguing features of a tri-fold phone, beyond its expansive full-screen mode when fully opened, is the ability to adjust the hinge angle to position the phone in unique ways. For instance, if the hinge is sturdy enough and the software is well-optimized, the tri-fold phone could be used like a laptop, as shown in Tecno's promotional images, or as a dual-screen device with displays facing opposite directions.
Tecno claims that the hinge on their prototype is robust enough to maintain any angle, much like current foldable phones, and that the device supports stylus input.
However, since this is still a prototype that hasn’t been publicly demonstrated, it’s wise to remain cautious about these claims. Although I have tested Tecno’s previous two foldable models and was impressed with their hardware quality.
For those eagerly awaiting this innovation, the good news is that Huawei’s tri-fold phone has already been spotted in public a few times, reportedly used by Huawei employees. This suggests that we might soon see a fully functional tri-fold phone available to consumers.
