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LG may have patented a double-folding phone that is also portless

A render based on the putative LG patent. (Source: LetsGoDigital)
A render based on the putative LG patent. (Source: LetsGoDigital)
LG has allegedly patented a next-generation phone design in which the device in question has 3 separate segments that fold into a more conventional brick-like form factor. This is not completely unheard of; however, this patent also apparently covers a complete lack of ports for charging or other uses.

The World Intellectual Property Office (or, rather, the blog that digs through it) has yielded yet another interesting smartphone patent that may inform the future of such devices. This patent, which was apparently originally filed in China, is attributed to LG. Its images depict a device capable of folding at 2 points, rather than 1 as in the emerging first generation of this form-factor.

The alleged LG patent shows that, when unfolded, this device has what could be called a dual display. Two-thirds of the device's screen real estate is taken up with a flexible panel in a book-like chassis, much like the long-anticipated Galaxy Fold. The remaining third is a completely separate display, which also makes up the front of the phone when the device is in 'collapsed' mode.

This is nothing new, however: Apple is also linked to a similar design in which 3 screens unfold in a Z to form one complete tablet-like screen. The design as executed in this patent would also be a good use of a recent trademark by its alleged OEM (the rather unimaginative LG Folds). However, it only takes a look at the putative device's edges for it to become more interesting.

These images omit any ports, USB included, where one might expect to find them. There is a series of symmetrical small holes along one edge that could be for speakers, but that is it. Therefore, it appears that LG intends to go fully wireless for this potential foldable phone - a risky strategy that has worked out poorly for other OEMs in the past.

Some more images from the alleged double-folding phone. (Source: LetsGoDigital)
Some more images from the alleged double-folding phone. (Source: LetsGoDigital)

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> Expert Reviews and News on Laptops, Smartphones and Tech Innovations > News > News Archive > Newsarchive 2019 08 > LG may have patented a double-folding phone that is also portless
Deirdre O Donnell, 2019-08-10 (Update: 2019-08-10)