– Huawei patented a vertical tri-fold phone combining flip phone design with triple-folding mechanics.
– The device folds twice via two opposite-direction hinges, tripling thickness when closed.
– A portion of the flexible screen remains visible and usable when fully folded, removing the need for a separate external display.
– The upper segment houses the main camera; the middle holds electronics; the lower segment aids weight balance and screen extension.
– It is uncertain whether the patent will lead to a commercial product.
New Folding Tech from Huawei
Technological development in the field of foldable mobile phones is gaining fresh momentum with a new patent from Huawei. Following the launch of its Mate XT, a tri-fold smartphone in horizontal orientation, recent patent documents published by Postfast (in collaboration with xleaks7) indicate an expansion of the product portfolio. A newly registered patent depicts a device that combines the features of a vertical flip phone like the Galaxy Z Flip series with the mechanics of a tri-fold smartphone.
Vertical Folding and Design
Unlike previous tri-fold devices, the smartphone described in the patent utilizes a vertical folding mechanism. The housing consists of three segments connected by two separate hinges, which allows the smartphone to fold twice, tripling its thickness when closed. While Huawei aims to keep the smartphone thin overall, the double fold would likely result in a device about the size of a cigarette pack.
Hinge Mechanism and Display
The hinges operate in opposite directions, creating a Z-shaped fold. A key feature of the design is the placement of the flexible screen: when fully folded, a portion of it remains visible and usable on the outside. This eliminates the need for an additional, separate external display, as is common on traditional flip phones. The display is protected by a ultra-thin glass layer thats reinforced with a polymer film to prevent creasing.
Internal Component Layour
The upper segment houses the primary rear camera system, which is positioned so that it can be used flexibly depending on how the device is folded. The middle segment is intended to house key electronic components and the connecting elements. The lower, third segment is expected to be used for weight distribution and to extend the monitor. When fully unfolded, the device features an elongated, vertical display with a resolution of 2480 x 1116 pixels and a 120Hz refresh rate. Ultimately, however, it remains unclear whether the patent will actually become reality.
Battery and charging specs
The patent also describes a dual-cell battery setup, splitting capacity across the middle and lower segments to optimise space. Total battery capacity is rumored to be around 5000mAh, supporting 66W wired charging and 50W wireless charging. The device will likely run on HarmonyOS 4.0 with a custom UI for multitasking across the tri-fold layout. Pricing for such a device could start at €2499 if released, competing directly with other premium foldables in the market.