LG today teased a rollable smartphone concept, quite literally called the LG Rollable. As with foldable phones, the Rollable has a flexible display, but instead of unfolding, the screen can unfurl from smartphone size to tablet size.
One of the major benefits of a rollable form-factor over a foldable like the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 is that the display doesn't have a crease in the middle. Of course, rollable devices will have their own potential issues thanks to a permanently exposed display which will almost certainly be less durable than what you'd find on a traditional smartphone.
According to a report published by CNET, the LG Rollable isn't just a concept phone - it will be available for sale later this year. Of course, that's no indication that it will make its way to Australia. Not all LG smartphones become available here, and some of the company's weirder devices - such as the Wing swivel phone - skipped us all together.
It's also unclear as to when the Rollable might be available. LG has yet to detail any specifics. We don't even know the size of the display, so we're not expecting to see it on shelves any time soon.
You can see the Rollable in action at the one minute mark of the video below:
LG isn't the only manufacturer experimenting with rollable formfactor smartphones. At the end of last year, OPPO revealed its X 2021, a concept device with a rollable screen that can expand from 6.7-inches to 7.4. OPPO has not provided any clarity on if or when the X 2021 will be commercially available.
TCL has also revealed rollable prototypes, and general manager of global marketing for TCL's mobile business Stefan Streit confirmed to WhistleOut that it will release its first phone with a flexible display later this year.
Alex Choros
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