Rumor | Royole's next foldable device will get a new product name and a somewhat updated design

Royole grabbed the title of first OEM to release a fully-functional folding phablet in 2019. However, it might have rushed the first-gen FlexPai to the market overmuch in the process, as reviews for the groundbreaking device proved less than stellar. It and its eventual successor have subsequently been overtaken comprehensively in terms of critical approval by Samsung's similar Galaxy Z Fold line, particularly the latest 2021 generation. 

This might be part of the reason why Royole has yet to produce a FlexPai 2 successor. Now, however, Evan Blass has posted a render that suggests one is coming after all. This device has reportedly been re-branded to the F3 this time around, although it might conceivably retain the next iteration of the in-house Cicada Wing folding mechanism.

On the other hand, this "Royole F3" seems to have dropped the Huawei Mate Xs-like grip-like feature for side-mounted cameras in favor of a dual-lensed hump. It is mirrored by a wide, shallow divot on the opposite half of the device as rendered, suggesting that it, like the FlexPai 2, is still capable of ambi-folding.

The Galaxy Z Fold3 has upgraded to an under-display selfie camera to maintain an "uninterrupted" main display. Royole has allegedly achieved the same look in the F3; however, the OEM has apparently opted not to splash out on next-gen under-panel tech, going for an increasingly old-fashioned pop-up selfie camera instead.

Otherwise, this "F3" might not deviate much from the FlexPai series in terms of display size and aspect-ratio, although it is obviously hard to judge from a single render. All in all, it now seems Royole's next foldable phone might come with some improvements in terms of design choices, even if they might impart some compromises in terms of durability and longevity in practice.

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