Realme’s Foldable Smartphone Journey Resumes

Competition in the Foldable Market

Realme is back at work on foldable and flip smartphones, preparing to enter a market currently dominated by Oppo, Samsung, Xiaomi, and OnePlus.

Hints of Foldable Plans in the Past

Last year, Realme’s former chief, Madhav Sheth, hinted at foldable devices named Realme Flip and Realme Fold through a social media post. This created excitement, but soon after, Realme’s marketing head, Francis Wong, announced a pause on these plans.

Reasons Behind the Delay

According to Wong, Realme decided to delay its foldable smartphone launch to focus on improving the durability of the folding mechanism. However, recent reports reveal that Realme is again exploring this concept.

New Patent Spotted

A fresh patent listed on the China National Intellectual Property Administration website confirms Realme’s renewed interest in foldable devices. This patent describes a book-style foldable design, distinct from previous narrow designs, with a magnetic hinge for smoother folding.

Advanced Heat Dissipation Mechanism

The patent highlights a unique heat dissipation system, potentially helping with performance during prolonged use by transferring heat between the two device sections.

Launch and Specifications Still Unknown

While the patent offers insight into Realme’s plans, details on launch dates, chipset, or display specifics remain undisclosed.

Durability Focus

Realme’s executives have consistently emphasized addressing durability issues typical of foldable devices, suggesting this could be a key priority in their design efforts.

The Path Ahead

Realme’s latest patent signals that the decision to delay might have been strategic, aiming to refine the design before an official release. More updates are anticipated as Realme moves closer to joining the foldable smartphone market.