Despite the technology powering foldable devices still being expensive, manufacturers want to get in on the action before the boat sails. Samsung has enjoyed success in this front despite facing a global market held back by the COVID-19 pandemic and a chip shortage that has led to mobile phones getting more expensive.
If Samsung’s success is anything to go by, it seems like the general population is ready to try out new things as the mobile scene was getting too stale with most Android phones feeling samey.
As usual, different manufacturers are working on their own versions of these devices, adding their own twist to it in a bid to gain an edge in this still budding market. Next up is Oppo, who have been working on their first foldable for quite some time now. There are even rumours that Oppo has missed two launch windows for their devices.
What indicates that a foldable from Oppo might be in the offing is that reputable leaker Digital Chat Station shared a couple of intriguing posts on Weibo. The first post was tagged as being posted by a device called the Oppo Find N 5G
The post itself contained a reference to the long-forgotten Oppo N series of phones and a photo of what seems to be the Oppo N3 – a very peculiar device from 2014/2015 which had its main camera on a motorized swivel, so it could act as a selfie and also capture some intriguing panoramas.
The second post which is more relevant is directly related to the mysterious Oppo Find N 5G and mentions a foldable display. The foldable will be able to fold in such a way that the device’s main 50 MP Sony IMX766 sensor will be used for taking selfies.
The post also references the Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra, which is another unconventional phone with the capability of taking selfies with the main camera through a tiny display on the back. Whether Oppo will take inspiration from this design is yet to be seen, but the leaker things that the device will be an inward folder.
By virtue of the device having the Find name, we tend to think it will have flagship features rather than catering to the middle range market.
Other reports claim the foldable device will have around 7.8 to 8 inches of OLED display, with a 2K resolution (1440P) and 120 Hz refresh rate. It is also reportedly so far into the production cycle that units are already being released through internal channels and being delivered to stores for purposes of training employees on how to use them. If this holds true, the release would be imminent, most likely in early 2022.
Huawei on the other hand seems to be some way off from releasing their foldable. Unlike Samsung and OPPO, Huawei are working on a less complicated version, that will be targeted at the middle range market. According to GSMArena, Huawei has a deal in place with a company by the name Zhaoli Technology that will be responsible for the manufacturing of the foldable smartphone hinge.
If all turns out as expected, we might just be witnessing the beginning of a new chapter in smartphone design
