According to a new report from TheElec, Vivo and Transsion (Infinix, Itel, and Tecno parent firm) are planning to launch one phone each with a slidable form factor and a rollable display by the end of next year. Citing sources in the industry, the publication claims that the two brands aim to launch these devices as the world’s first slidable phones featuring rollable displays, beating Samsung to the race.
Chinese firms may have accepted defeat in the foldable smartphone market
Reportedly, the Chinese companies have realized that they can’t beat Samsung in the foldable smartphone market, thanks to devices such as the Galaxy Z Fold 5 and the Galaxy Z Flip 5, and of course, Samsung’s brilliant One UI 6.0 skin that makes the full use of the foldable form factor. So, to compensate for that, they are aiming to be the first set of companies to bring slidable phones with rollable displays to the market and prove to the Chinese government that they are ahead of the rest of the world (and companies) in developing products with new form factors.
Vivo could source rollable screens from Samsung Display
Transsion showcased a phone with a slidable form factor and a rollable display in September last year. It is called the Transion Phantom Ultimate. It uses a display made by CSOT. According to TheElec, the company might buy rollable displays from CSOT for its upcoming slidable smartphone as well. Vivo, on the other hand, is said to be in talks with CSOT as well as Samsung Display to source rollable screens for its upcoming slider phone.
Samsung's slider phone with rollable display might hit shelves in 2025
Since rollable displays retract into a roll, they don’t suffer from the creases that we see on the foldable screens. That one reason is enough to make slider smartphones more popular than foldable phones. Plus, the rollable display will allow manufacturers to offer a larger screen in a smaller footprint, opening up a whole new world of possibilities. Samsung has already showcased a rollable display panel, and it is expected to launch a phone with a rollable screen in 2025, almost a year after the Chinese companies.
