Huawei has been a reliable contender in the foldable phone arena, recently unveiling the Pocket 2, notable for its clamshell design and a unique quad-camera setup on the exterior. Fresh patents filed with China’s CNIPA have surfaced, giving us a peek into the potential future of Huawei’s flip phones.
Although patents don’t necessarily confirm final product designs, they can hint at a company’s design intentions. Discovered by 91mobiles, these patents reveal five different configurations that Huawei might be considering for their upcoming clamshell foldable phones. The primary folding mechanism remains the same across all models, with the main variations focusing on camera placement.
Future Design Possibilities
Huawei’s existing Pocket 2 has a vertically stacked quad-camera module and a separate circular cutout for the cover display. The new patents suggest several possible future designs:
One design proposes two horizontally aligned circular rings on the phone’s exterior, unlike the vertically stacked rings on the Pocket 2. Another patent showcases the same circular format but with a strip around the upper rear section of the phone.
An intriguing third design features a clamshell phone with two different-sized cutouts placed diagonally. The larger cutout is likely intended for the cover display, while the smaller ring might accommodate the cameras.
Square Camera Modules
Additionally, Huawei seems to be exploring square camera modules instead of circular ones. One patent depicts a flip phone with two horizontally arranged square frames on the rear, replacing the circular configuration.
Another design shows these square frames arranged diagonally in a larger and smaller layout, mirroring the circular design but with square frames.
These patents indicate that Huawei may be moving away from the dual-ring design of the Pocket 2. Whether these designs will make it to production remains uncertain, but they offer a fascinating glimpse into Huawei’s foldable phone innovations.
