Rumor | Huawei's first-gen clamshell foldable phone will debut with a round secondary display

Huawei is now said to expand its range for the emerging foldable smartphone market by launching a rival to Samsung's Galaxy Z Flip line. Accordingly, the device in question should follow the 'clamshell' form-factor, albeit one with an updated flexible display on the inside.

Now, the well-known tipster RODENT950 has lent more weight to these rumors with a render showing how such a phone might look. It does seem much like a P50-series phone with a noticeable hinge on first glance. However, on closer inspection, it contains a novel tweak allegedly prepared by Huawei for its new category.

This consists of a secondary display, like that of the latest Z Flip3; however, this one is circular and, thus, possibly designed to fit in with the ongoing 'angel-eye' trend. RODENT950's new render suggests that it might act as a clock while the phone is closed, although it could of course have a range of additional use-cases, one of which would probably be the almost inevitable preview screen for selfies.

The latest leaks hint that this device (should it truly exist) will see a launch in 2022, although it may have to wait until the more conventional Mate 50 series debuts beforehand. It is said to do so as the Mate V, although RODENT950 refers to it as the "HW (presumably short for Huawei) Flip" instead. However, the former is more likely, as it is expected to join the series in question on its introduction next year.

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