Oppo is holding off on building rollable phones commercially
The Oppo X 2021 rollable phone concept can expand its 6.7” display to 7.4” thanks to a rollable screen panel and a motor-powered sliding mechanism to unroll it. It’s an impressive tech demo and just that – the company has no short-term plans to build a mass market device with such a design.
“Although there is no plan for its commercialization in the short term, it will serve as a guide for the transformation and evolution of future product form factors. Commercialization requires market research and business justification, and may take some time,” wrote Oppo to Android Authority.
Oppo may be waiting for more durable flefxible screens to be developed. The Oppo X 2021 uses a plastic screen, just like the current crop of foldables, though it has a “hard cover” to improve durability. (note: ultra thin glass, UTG, is used for its optical properties and is not a replacement for strengthened glass)
Oppo’s rollable concept used a display manufactured by BOE. The Chinese company isn’t the only one working on rollable panels – LG’s B Project is coming in March, a rollable phone that will use an LG Display panel.
