The launch of Huawei’s first tri-folding smartphone, the Huawei Mate XT Ultimate Design, was a momentous occasion for the foldable market. Following the launch, we have been hearing about other brands like HONOR working on a 10mm tri-folding smartphone to take on Huawei’s offering. However, this report is about a rather unique device. HONOR has reportedly filed a patent for a unique foldable device that can be unfolded in multiple directions.
HONOR’s patent reveals it could be working on a foldable device that folds and unfolds in different directions
Today, folks over at 91Mobiles have spotted a patent filed by HONOR for a unique foldable device. If you look at the image from the patent, the foldable device has an unconventional folding and unfolding mechanism which is altogether different from the HONOR Magic V3 (Review).
The patent summary also showcases that there are two to three images of rotating shafts on the unique foldable device. It is important to note that the intermediate connecting parts are at the near end of each rotating shaft. These rotating shafts attach to the back of the foldable screen, opposite of each other in pairs. This eventually allows you to fold and unfold the foldable device in different directions.
There’s no surety if the device will become a reality
Since this is a patent we’re talking about, there’s no guarantee that HONOR will launch this device. If it manages to pull it off, it will be a game changer and could shake the entire Android foldable market in the future.
It’s pretty interesting that HONOR is challenging Huawei like this, as HONOR used to be owned by Huawei. It’s come a long way since being a budget sub-brand churning out sub-$500 phones. With its contributions to the foldable phone market already, we have no doubt that the company is going to help push the foldable phone forward. Maybe this radical form factor could be the future of foldables.
Rumor has it that HONOR will show this design off at IFA 2025. Hopefully, we will see it then.