LG files patents show what their hybrid smartphone-tablet may look like

• Fariha Khan
• January 19, 2017
• 851

We got to know Samsung‘s plans for its tentatively named “Galaxy X” that LG was in the competition as well and now we may have a more solid and complete look at what an actual, hybrid device may appear to be. 

Up till now we had just seen the company up against flexible displays. However, hardly much was known about its application in a prospective product, contrary to its competitor. The patents that analyze LG’s concepts from various ways, display a handset organized in a completely different way from smartphones as known to the world till now. 

The outward-facing flexible panel appears to be bit detached from the rest of the body of the device; when used in “smartphone mode”. The display wraps around the back from the right side, leaving a little area bare, giving space to a vertical belt where the camera, volume rocker and fingerprint scanner are placed. 

It implies that there are 2 screen parts when the device is in smartphone mode. One, a “regular” front and a bit smaller second that rests alongside the camera. So it could be useful to take selfies.

But when in “tablet mode”, the screen takes up the whole of the front, automatically sliding over and covering the above-mentioned strip. The tech certainly looks great, and could in one jump make the smartphone-tablet 2-in-1 dream real — if there is such a “dream” at all.

The rolling part of the screen that pivots around the hinge would have motive to be in smartphone mode, offering additional information or controls while the main panel displays content. The patent shows media controls here when a video is being played.

Similar to Samsung, we have learnt that LG is planning to start production of the decided product by the year end, targeting a potential release at the starting of 2018.