-
After 15+ years, we've made a big change: Android Forums is now Early Bird Club. Learn more here.
Next years Androids, rollable / foldable screens?
- Thread starter phandroid
- Start date
I have a dilemma at the moment. I'm out of contract and could upgrade now to a top spec Android like the HTC One M8. But that would tie me into another two year contract and to be honest, I don't think any of the current models offer that much more than the phone I already have, a Samsung SGS 3.
A new phone would be faster and have a slightly bigger screen and better camera, but I don't think any of these things are reason enough to upgrade at the moment. 4G would be useful, but its not available where I live so I doubt I'll use it much.
What I would be interested in is something with a folding or roll out screen or some other new feature that takes smart phones to the next level, not just another slab of plastic, metal & glass.
So I'm wondering whether I just downgrade to a SIM only deal for the next six months to a year and see whats available then. I know that no one on here can know for sure, but based on what you've read read/heard/seen, how likely do you think it is that something like this will appear next year?
A new phone would be faster and have a slightly bigger screen and better camera, but I don't think any of these things are reason enough to upgrade at the moment. 4G would be useful, but its not available where I live so I doubt I'll use it much.
What I would be interested in is something with a folding or roll out screen or some other new feature that takes smart phones to the next level, not just another slab of plastic, metal & glass.
So I'm wondering whether I just downgrade to a SIM only deal for the next six months to a year and see whats available then. I know that no one on here can know for sure, but based on what you've read read/heard/seen, how likely do you think it is that something like this will appear next year?
Digital Controller
The Real Bass Creator
I mean honestly, good rollable phones might not be available for awhile.
I could see some bent screen phones coming out next year, but that is about it.
I could see some bent screen phones coming out next year, but that is about it.
Rollable screens have popped up in speculative blog posts for years, but there's no sign of them appearing in devices. My own guess is that the first real use of flexible displays in phones will be for durability rather than roll-out displays, and even that's not happened yet. Also remember that first generation of a new display technology may well fall short in some other respect.
In short, while there are good reasons not to get stuck in a contract, I don't think this technology will appear in that time.
In short, while there are good reasons not to get stuck in a contract, I don't think this technology will appear in that time.
SiempreTuna
Android Expert
.. do they also have rollable batteries and electronics to go in 'em? 
Yeah, you're probably right. The first one out might be curved around the edge of the phone so that you can see notifications on the side. And the LG Flex is here of course, but that doesn't really appeal, I want a big screen in a small package! There are plenty of videos of prototypes though, but I know it can still take years for them to hit the market.
Are there any other really groundbreaking features that are worth waiting until next year for?
IMO it's all been incremental for a couple of years now.
Someone will probably tell you that 64 bit processors will be the thing to buy, but probably won't be able to tell you what difference it will make
Someone will probably tell you that 64 bit processors will be the thing to buy, but probably won't be able to tell you what difference it will make
boyo1991
Android Enthusiast
Lg curve? Supposed to fit your face all nice but just looked awful. So the technology has already been used, just not in the developers original intended way. They invisioned the rollable tablets ect, with the curve and a few other speculated devices its more for a slightly added pop.. Not a defining feature.
That said I feel rollable screens will not be too much of a thing because I am not so sure they will "get it right"
Just personal opinion..
That said I feel rollable screens will not be too much of a thing because I am not so sure they will "get it right"
Just personal opinion..
I think wrap around screens would appear first, like these:
iPhone 6 concept images point towards wrap-around display - News - Trusted Reviews
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=impZ7krcPzI
But probably iPhone 7 rather than 6
Then I think fold out screens that turn a phone a tablet, like the one towards to end of this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N3E7fUynrZU
This seems achievable to me (not that I really know anything about this!) as only the screen (and some cabling) needs to flex, the other components and battery can be rigidly fixed in each half of the device.
iPhone 6 concept images point towards wrap-around display - News - Trusted Reviews
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=impZ7krcPzI
But probably iPhone 7 rather than 6
Then I think fold out screens that turn a phone a tablet, like the one towards to end of this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N3E7fUynrZU
This seems achievable to me (not that I really know anything about this!) as only the screen (and some cabling) needs to flex, the other components and battery can be rigidly fixed in each half of the device.