Rollable smartphone multifunctional design were waiting

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Rollable smartphone: Is this the multifunctional design we’re waiting for?

As customers clamor for larger smartphone screens, manufacturers look into the rollable design for solutions.

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Quantumrun Foresight
November 16, 2021

The slowdown of the global smartphone market during the COVID-19 pandemic has sparked a shift in manufacturers' strategies, focusing on creating new designs that meet the growing demands of mobile applications. This shift has led to the development of foldable and rollable smartphones, offering larger, more flexible screens for an immersive user experience and opening new opportunities for app development and advertising. However, these advancements also pose new challenges, requiring rigorous testing for durability and reliability, and prompting governments to consider new regulations and standards for safety and consumer protection.

Rollable smartphone context

The global smartphone market experienced a significant slowdown during the pandemic, making manufacturers rethink their strategies and find ways to encourage consumers to upgrade their devices. The challenge was to design new models that could justify their often high price tags. This strategy was not merely a matter of aesthetics or novelty; it was a response to the growing demands of mobile applications.

Games and streaming platforms, for instance, require larger and clearer displays. As a result, companies were under pressure to deliver designs that were not only functional and intuitive but also more affordable. Samsung, for instance, has been a leader in this space, aggressively introducing foldable phones into the market, such as the Galaxy Z Fold2.

Foldable phones, introduced in 2020, could be folded like a book. This was a significant departure from the traditional smartphone design, and it was Samsung that led the charge, with prices ranging from USD $1,320 to $2,000. However, there was also the emergence of a new design concept: rollable smartphones.

These devices have a display that is rolled up within the phone's body and can be expanded or unraveled as needed. This design offers a larger display when needed while maintaining a compact form factor for easy portability. However, intensive testing is required to ensure that these models deliver on their promises in terms of durability and reliability.

Disruptive impact

The trend towards larger, more flexible screens in smartphones could mean a more immersive experience when watching videos, playing games, or even reading e-books. Consumers may be able to unroll their smartphones into a larger tablet-like device for watching a movie, then roll it back up for a phone call. This feature could also make multitasking easier, as a larger screen would allow for multiple apps to be open and visible at the same time.

For businesses, this trend could open up new opportunities for app development and advertising. Apps could be designed to take advantage of the larger screen space, offering more features or a more engaging user interface. Advertisers could create more immersive ads that take up the full screen, potentially leading to higher engagement rates. Furthermore, companies that specialize in producing the materials and components for these flexible screens could see a significant increase in demand. For instance, LG, which revealed its first rollable model during the online Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in January 2021, is expected to roll out from 6.7 inches to 7.8 inches, depending on screen orientation and the kind of content being consumed.

Governments may need to consider the implications of these new technologies on regulations and standards. For example, they may need to update safety standards to account for the unique characteristics and potential risks of these devices. They might also need to consider how these devices could impact areas like education or public services.

Implications of rollable smartphones

Wider implications of rollable smartphones may include:

App developers optimizing their apps for foldable and rollable models.

More demand for light and flexible hybrid smartphone-tablet models.

Smartphone manufacturers experimenting with more flexible screen designs, accessories, and a better user interface.

A shift in social interactions and communication, as larger, more flexible screens lead to new forms of digital socialization and entertainment.

Governments establishing new regulations and standards to ensure the safety and reliability of these devices, leading to enhanced consumer protection and fair competition.

Innovation in wearable technology or flexible electronics, leading to a broader range of applications and uses.

The demand for skills related to the design, production, and maintenance of these devices increasing.

The production of these devices having an impact on resource use and waste generation, leading to a need for more sustainable production methods and recycling programs.