Journalist analyzes Oppo's extendable screen: the future of smartphones?
Pocket Lint journalist Mike Lowe got his hands on the new Oppo X 2021. It was not the final version of the product, considering that It's not in the plans yet the manufacturer to launch this device on the market. Even so, it was a conceptual material very close to a finished device and that allowed us to experience how Oppo imagines its extendable screen.
With this prototype, Mike analyzed the cell phone's structures, as well as this extendable screen in use, and wrote a preview pointing out the most surprising points of the device and indicating some of its defects. You can see the video of the device in use below.
The super screen
Since it is a cell phone with an extendable screen, this is the main element that draws attention and, therefore, the most relevant to be analyzed. This extendable screen from Oppo is very different from the first one the world saw, released by TCL. Made of POLED, which is basically an OLED with a plastic film to ensure the necessary malleability, the screen is resistant to water, dust and scratches.
Its expansion mechanism is activated by pressing the power button twice. Although it has some problems responding to the command, the result is still good. When folded, the device measures 6,7 inches, increasing to 7,4 when fully extended. The process works by sliding the screen to the side using a mechanism that unrolls and does not cause wrinkles. Another detail is that the operating system was prepared for this and responds well to the procedure.
As for the size of the device, it has interesting measurements. When folded, it has a practical format, while when extended, it is large enough to consume content in an interesting way without being uncomfortable to hold. Another interesting aspect of this extendable screen from Oppo is that it has a plate behind it. This ensures greater security when holding the device, unlike other foldable devices such as the Moto Razr and Galaxy z flip.
One of the problems with the POLED screen is precisely what makes it so malleable: the plastic film. Unlike glass, which allows better visibility in bright environments but does not bend as easily, plastic has poor light reflection properties, which makes using the Oppo X 2021 in outdoor or bright environments very difficult. However, it is possible that in the future (or until the device is actually launched), there will be a better material.
Will the future unfold?
The other aspects of the Oppo X 2021 were not relevant to be analyzed, according to Mike, because it is still a concept. Therefore, the idea is to experiment with how Oppo imagined the extendable screen being applied to smartphones.
Despite presenting some small problems, such as a short delay in the operating system's response in the process of retracting or extending the screen, as well as the noise of the screen unrolling mechanism (and its responses with the on/off button), the device still proved to be quite functional.
And more than that, the good performance of the Oppo X 2021 with its extendable screen shows that this cell phone model has a chance of winning the market. Perhaps, Oppo was visionary and this could be the future of large-screen smartphones, making foldables obsolete (or at least niche).
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