Oppo X 2021 is another scrolling screen phone concept

In recent years, as the technology of flexible display panels has become more and more mature, several mobile phone manufacturers are also interested in expanding the display area as much as possible within the acceptable body size. By 2020, the development of the second generation of folding screen mobile phones can no longer be considered new. Where else can I go next? Perhaps Oppo and TCL (and perhaps LG) have found their way.

In March of this year, TCL showed a set of concept mobile phone designs based on a removable screen. The frame on the right side can slide out. During this process, the hidden panel in the curved shape on the back left will be pulled out. After being pushed down, the screen can change from the size of a normal mobile phone to almost the size of a small tablet. Oppo’s new machine concept, Oppo X 2021, unveiled today at the Future Technology Conference, is basically the same as TCL’s plan in terms of implementation. It also hides part of the panel in the machine in a scrolling mode. In standard mode, it will display a 6.7-inch screen. After fully unfolding, the entire 7.4-inch OLED can be fully displayed in front of your eyes. And the best point is that the device supports continuous adjustment between these two sizes, which means that you can freely adjust the screen size according to your needs.

According to the official introduction, Oppo X 2021 uses the built-in Roll Motor dual motors to control the retractable screen. They can continue to exert a constant force during operation, so that the screen can maintain a uniform force when pulled, which can prevent damage caused by a sudden impact. On the left side of the machine, there is a pulley reel with a diameter of 6.8mm. According to the factory test, this size can effectively ensure that the panel “hardly wrinkles” after folding (this is a great advantage compared to the current folding mobile phone), and can always maintain a “soft smoothness” during the process curly. Oppo claims that it has 12 core patents related to the reel structure in its hands, while the Oppo X 2021 concept machine involves up to 122 patents.

Also, Oppo uses a so-called “dual matrix embedded clutch structure” on the inside of the panel, which is made up of two blades, which is a bit like a pair of combs facing each other. When Oppo X 2021 is in mobile phone mode, the “comb teeth” of the two “combs” will fit together to form a relatively complete supporting surface. When switching to tablet mode, the “comb” will separate along with the screen. In this state, the two parties are responsible for holding the left and right parts of the entire panel. At the same time, Oppo also enabled the “dynamic frame” design of a combination of a fixed frame and a sliding frame on this concept phone, allowing the sliding frame and rear glass battery door to accompany the display. during deformation of the device. Mobile, it can provide more reliable support when the panel is unfolded.

To prevent the flex panel flexibility from being affected by elasticity and the overall increase in screen thickness after bending, Oppo X 2021 also has an integrated Warp Track screen dynamic zone frame laminated with steel as the main material. Its thinnest part is 0.1mm thick and with the linear pattern etched into the surface, it can provide reliable support and protection like a “tank track” without adding additional resistance to panel flex.

It is worth mentioning that unlike TCL, which has only shown prototypes so far, Oppo has directly provided a real working machine. According to official demonstrations, sliding your finger on the right side of the Oppo X 2021’s fuselage can cause the screen to retract. During this process, the system will automatically adjust the image. For example, the web page being browsed will reduce the content that is displayed on the page and the movie being played will also be automatically adjusted to a suitable ratio. However, the official did not reveal when or even if this machine concept will be put into mass production. Chief Executive Officer Chen Mingyong said only that he hopes to “see you at the right time.” If it can finally be done, consumers may have an interesting deformer option in addition to flip-screen phones.