Motorola's patent shows rollable phone with full-screen fingerprint scanner

Mobile devices with foldable displays have become increasingly common. Despite being niche products, a growing number of prominent brands have joined the trend by introducing their own alternatives. In addition to the form factors we know today, the technology allows for other types of implementations, such as devices with rollable displays. A new patent from Motorola describes a phone with a rollable display and full-screen fingerprint sensing.

So far, foldable display technology has enabled mainly two types of phone designs: book-like (Galaxy Z Fold series and similar) and clamshell (Galaxy Z Flip series and similar). However, recent developments suggest that we will start seeing devices with rollable displays in the consumer market before long.

Motorola could launch a rollable phone with full-screen fingerprint-sensing

Leaks suggest that Samsung will launch its first smartphone with a rollable display in 2025. That will possibly encourage other brands, such as Motorola, to follow suit. Motorola is not exactly a newbie with flexible display technology. The company has released multiple Razr generations, reviving the design of the classic clamshell phone of yesteryear. Additionally, they showed off a concept smartphone with a rollable screen in 2023.

The concept, called the Motorola Rizr, showcased a device with a compact, almost square form factor. Pressing a button on the side extended the 5-inch display to 6.5 inches. While the phone is in its “compact” state, part of the screen covers the back, displaying alerts and notifications without turning on the main screen.

The company’s new patent spotted on USPTO (via My Smart Price) describes a fairly similar device but with one key difference. Now, Motorola’s rollable phone integrates multiple fingerprint sensors throughout the display. This means that no matter where you touch the screen, you can always easily unlock it. Otherwise, the rollable mechanism’s operation bears a resemblance to the 2023 demonstration. However, the company has surely made improvements since then.

Flexible display technology is becoming more affordable

The patent suggests that Motorola has been working on rollable screen technology for smartphones for at least a few years. The 2023 prototype was fully functional but not yet ready for the consumer market. It may be more viable to launch it now that flexible screens are cheaper. We’ve seen foldable phones with prices similar to (or even lower than) traditional mid-range ones.