All articles tagged with #hinge design
A supply-chain leak claims Apple’s foldable iPhone Ultra (aka Fold) has a crease-free display but hinges fail durability tests, potentially delaying trial production indefinitely. If Apple resolves the hinge issues on time, the device could debut with the iPhone 18 Pro in September (with a 2nm A20 Pro and Apple Intelligence); otherwise, the launch could slip to 2027.
Oppo’s Find N6 claims a zero-feel crease, achieved through 3D liquid printing that smooths hinge surface variations. In hands-on tests the crease is barely visible, and Oppo says the crease should stay unobtrusive over time thanks to a thicker foldable glass, with a global launch set for March 17.
A new concept for a foldable iPhone resembles two titanium iPhone Airs joined at the hinge, suggesting a potential design innovation in foldable smartphones.
At CES 2024, Acer unveiled the Predator Helios 18 gaming laptop with a mesmerizing RGB-lit hinge, Intel Core i9-14900X CPU, up to 32GB of RAM, 4TB of storage, and NVIDIA RTX 4090 graphics. The laptop also features a 250Hz mini LED display, Wi-Fi 7, and various ports. Acer will also release budget-friendly Neo versions, the Predator Helios Neo 18 and Neo 16, with similar specs but slightly slower displays and GPU options. The Predator Helios 16 will start at $1,900 and go on sale in January, followed by the Predator Helios 18 at $2,000 in March, while the Neo versions will start at $1,500 and $1,550 respectively, launching in March.
A recent teardown video of the OnePlus Open foldable phone reveals that while OnePlus marketed a titanium hinge, the titanium is actually used only in the hinge screws, not in the wider hinge construction itself. The teardown also highlights the carbon fiber screen backing and other weight-saving material choices used in the device. Despite the marketing discrepancy, the OnePlus Open is praised for its lightweight design, durability, and ability to mitigate the foldable screen crease.
A new video showcasing the OnePlus Open foldable phone reveals its hinge design and screen crease situation. The device's hinge design is derived from the Oppo Fold N2, and it is essentially the same device as Oppo's next book-style foldable. The video highlights the relatively clean crease of the OnePlus Open compared to other foldables like the Pixel Fold and Galaxy Z Fold 5. The device undergoes durability tests, including drops, bend tests, and water resistance. The OnePlus Open is set to debut on October 19 with top-end specs and a promising entry into the foldable space.
The upcoming Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 is expected to have a less visible crease on its foldable display thanks to a new waterdrop hinge design, which will also allow the phone to fold perfectly flat without leaving a gap between the two halves. The crease will reportedly be "only 15% less visible" than the Z Fold 4's crease. The Z Fold 5 is also rumored to be the first foldable phone with an IP5x dust resistance rating. While it may not be a revolutionary release, Samsung is slowly upgrading the user experience across the board.
Samsung is reportedly working on a thinner and lighter Galaxy Z Fold 5, which is expected to weigh around 250g, 13g lighter than the Galaxy Z Fold 4. The new hinge design will be smaller and lighter, and curve the glass in a waterdrop shape, eliminating the display crease. The phone is also said to be a full millimeter thinner. The focus for this model was on size and weight reduction, and it will not include an S Pen silo.