Technology has come a long way in changing the landscape of the modern world—and nothing proves this better than smartphones. In fact, today’s smartphones are even more powerful than the computers used by NASA to send the first astronauts to the moon. What’s even more impressive is that our gadgets are more compact, which means we basically carry around powerful handheld computers in our own pockets.
With the start of a new decade, we’re bound to be introduced to new and more advanced devices that’ll push the boundaries of human ingenuity even further. And while it looks like we’ve seen everything — from water-resistant phones to ultra-wide camera lenses on smartphones — smartphone innovation doesn’t stop there.
Now, phone companies are starting to experiment with the form of the phone itself, as more and more smartphone manufacturers have began dabbling in foldable models. If this has piqued your interest, read on to know more about the future of foldable smartphones!
We can’t talk about foldable phones without mentioning their predecessors. Flip phones were the pinnacle of cellular phone technology back in the early 2000s. They were designed to be a less bulky and more compact alternative to the common cellphones on the market. Sleek phones weren’t the norm back then, making the ultra thick flip phones a hot commodity. The most popular of these phones was the Motorola Razr. Prior to the iPhone, the Razr was the top cellphone.
Over a decade later and the Razr’s legacy still persists. They have even managed to warrant a re-release, as a foldable smartphone version was launched earlier this year. This phone was a nice change of pace, given that modern smartphones have fallen into the pattern of sporting the same rectangular phone designs. While not completely groundbreaking, the Motorola Razr was a breath of fresh air — something that the smartphone industry truly needed.
Foldable Smartphones
While the new Motorola Razr is a foldable phone with a touch screen, smartphone companies are looking to introduce foldable phones that improve on the former’s design. Samsung released the Galaxy Z Flip last February, not too long after the Razr. And unlike Motorola, Samsung seamlessly integrates its smartphone technology into a flip frame for the 2020s. Compared to the Razr, the Z Flip unfolded feels like your everyday smartphone, whereas the new Razr doesn’t feel quite a sleek as the phones we’re used to today.
This stems from how modern phones are built today. Society has demanded that gadgets be smaller and compact, as we’ve turned everything into pocket-friendly smart devices — be it pens or watches. It’s important to note, however, that this is only made possible due to the developments in multi-board PCB design. Such systems enable foldable phones to have various components, minus the bulk and thickness of typical smartphones. Moreover, its flexible layers also support interconnections, which is what makes the hinge between screens possible. Indeed, with these developments, we’re seeing more and more new devices that don’t follow traditional smartphone design principles.
Future of Foldable Smartphones
Just like any piece of new technology, some consider foldable smartphones to be a novelty — a fad from the past that we’re bringing back due to nostalgia. However, it’s good to note that the technology behind it is promising and could lead to more unconventional phone designs in the future. At the end of the day, that’s where the strength of foldable smartphones really lies: in their potential to shape the phones of this new age.
