OPPO patents design for foldable smartphone, to take on Samsung Galaxy X

OPPO has patented a design for a foldable device that could be used as a table

Samsung Galaxy X may h ave a competitor already. (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Foldable smartphones are inching closer to reality. While Samsung has already confirmed working on a foldable Galaxy X smartphone, Chinese handset company OPPO is expected to join the bandwagon soon.

OPPO has now patented a design for a foldable device that could be used as a tablet, according to reports. The patent was picked up by China Mobile (via GSMArena) and presents an exciting prospect for those awaiting the first truly foldable handsets.

"The patent indicates that the device would look something like a regular smartphone device -- albeit without a bezel on one side -- when in one configuration, but that it could also open up to resemble a compact tablet," Android Authority reported on Tuesday.

OPPO is said to be one of the manufacturers currently eyeing a foldable product, along with Samsung, LG and Apple.

Samsung will be testing the waters with its truly foldable OLED smartphone in its "Galaxy" series with a limited run in South Korea. It is one of the very few smartphone manufacturers hedging their bets on foldable flagships.

According to reports, Samsung showcased an "almost finished" version of the foldable phone at the recently concluded Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. Samsung's Galaxy X is expected to come with an edge-to-edge display that can be folded inwards.

In November last year, Apple also filed a patent application for a yet-unnamed foldable device that can be "opened and closed like a book."