Oppo could launch a foldable phone in the second quarter this year

Oppo had first showcased a prototype foldable phone in February 2019.

Oppo's foldable phone may launch soon (Oppo/Weibo)

Foldable phones have been around for some time. So far, Samsung, Huawei, and Motorola have offered commercial devices, but other brands are likely to join the trend sooner or later. A new report says that China's Oppo is all set for its first-ever commercial foldable phone in the second quarter of this year.

Reports of Oppo's foray into the foldable phone space have been doing the rounds for the last few months. Back in December last year, Dutch website Let's Go Digital reported that Oppo was working on a foldable phone that had been designed by American fashion designer Tom Ford. The leaked images revealed the handset has a slider display, which when opened, expands the surface area of the display by around 80%. The design was said to be similar to what the company had showcased in August last year.

Interestingly, Oppo was one of the first companies to showcase a foldable phone. In February 2019, the company demonstrated a prototype device with a hinge design and a camera strip on the back that shows up in the folded form. The phone, however, did not hit the market in the corresponding months.

Even as foldable phones have gained traction, smartphone companies are also experimenting with rollable design. Oppo last year showcased an Oppo X 2021, a concept smartphone with a rollable screen. The rollable smartphone features a 6.7-inch display that can be stretched from the side to offer a 7.4-inch display.

Apart from Oppo, LG is also working on a rollable phone. Earlier this year at the CES conference, LG showcased ‘LG Rollable' that could be stretched into a tablet. At the moment, there is no word on when the rollable phone will be available commercially.