Our first glimpse into the future of smartphone technology?
The Royole FlexPai is the “world’s first” foldable phone, according to its California-based creators.
Unveiled in Beijing on Wednesday, the device features a whopping 7.8in display, which means the FlexPai is dangerously close to crossing from phablet into full-on tablet territory.
The launch has caught many industry analysts by surprise. Most were expecting Samsung or Huawei to be the first to sell a foldable device to the public – Royole isn’t exactly a household name, after all. However, the California-based firm has carved out its very own niche by specialising in the manufacturing of flexible displays.
It’s not just a gimmick, though. Royole hopes that the FlexPai will rival the best smartphones on the market in terms of performance – it features high-end cameras and Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon processor, among other features.
So, has Royole lived up to its own tagline, and “invented the future” with the FlexPai? Here’s everything we know about the brand-new foldable smartphone.
Royole FlexPai: Everything you need to know
Royole FlexPai features: What does it do?
As you’ve probably guessed by now, the Royole FlexPai’s headline feature is its pioneering display.
Its second generation, ultra-thin, fully flexible display is “virtually unbreakable” according to its creators, and has passed durability tests where it has been bent over 200,000 times.
Why the need for a folding display? Well, Royole hopes that the device will be simultaneously used as a smartphone and a tablet. When opened, the FlexPai has a single display measuring 7.8in (19.8cm), bigger than many tablets. Fold it up, and the device boasts three separate screens, on the front, the rear and the spine of the handset.
Such a concept is nothing new. Samsung has been rumoured to have its own foldable smartphone – the Galaxy X – in production for some time now, and Huawei reportedly has its own version, in the form of the Mate X. The only surprise is that the first commercial foldable smartphone has come from a company that you’ve most likely never heard of.
As for its camera, the FlexPai features a dual 16-megapixel + 20-megapixel setup with an f/1.8 aperture. Autofocus, optical image stabilisation and flash are all supported. A solid setup, but nothing to write home about.
Elsewhere, there’s Bluetooth 5.1 connectivity, a USB Type-C port for both charging and headphones, a fingerprint ID scanner and a 3800mAh lithium polymer battery.
Royole FlexPai specs: What’s inside?
Internally, the device is powered by Qualcomm’s next-gen octa-core Snapdragon 8 series SoC, backed up by 8GB of RAM. There’s up to 256GB of internal SSD storage, which can be expanded by another 256GB via a microSD slot if you wish.
The FlexPai’s operating system is Water OS 1.0, Royole’s very own variant of Android 9.0. Naturally, the raison d’etre of the system is to be optimised for use with the flexible screen, but according to some videos doing the rounds it still needs a fair bit of work.
The gargantuan size of the FlexPai might also be enough to put off prospective buyers. It measures 134mm x 190mm x 7.6mm (HWD), and weighs a whopping 320g. That’s over 50% more than the iPhone Xs Max and Samsung Galaxy Note 9, neither of which you’d refer to as compact smartphones.
Here’s a full lowdown of the Royole FlexPai’s technical specifications:
- Octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 series Soc
- 8GB RAM
- 7.8in display (unfolded)
- 1920 x 1440 screen resolution (expanded mode)
- AMOLED display
- 16 MP + 20 MP camera with f/1.8 aperture
- Flash
- GPS
- Compass
- 128GB or 256GB SSD storage
- microSD slot
- Bluetooth 5.1
- 4G wireless data
- 134mm x 190mm x 7.6mm (HWD)
- 320g
- Water OS 1.0 operating system
- 3800mAh battery
Pre-order the FlexPai now from Royole
Royole FlexPai release date: When will it be released?
Announced on 31 October, the FlexPai has been made available for pre-order straight away.
The company intends to start deliveries in late December, and will hold three ‘flash sales’ in China beginning on 1 November as the first product run.
Royole FlexPai price: How much does it cost?
The Royole FlexPai will start at $1,318 (£1,020) for the 128GB model, rising to $1,469 (£1,137) with expanded 256GB storage.
For context, the aforementioned iPhone Xs Max and Samsung Galaxy Note 9, two of the very best smartphones that have ever been made, start at £1,099 and £899 respectively.
It’s a bold pricing strategy for a bold device.
Royole FlexPai: Early verdict
Royole has completely surprised us all by being the first company to put a foldable smartphone on sale commercially. However, we’d wager that the FlexPai is unlikely to become a bestseller. Instead, it most likely represents a glimpse into the future of smartphone technology.
Pre-order the FlexPai now from Royole
Rather than taking a seat at the top table of smartphone manufacturers, Royole will more likely become an acquisition target for the likes of Huawei and Samsung, as they bid to speed up production of their own foldable devices.
For now though, bravo to the California-based company for becoming the unlikely trendsetter.