Motorola’s Concept Phone Raises More Questions Than Answers: MWC 2024

At the ongoing Mobile World Congress event in Barcelona, Motorola showcased a bending smartphone that wraps around users’ wrists. Even though it’s a concept phone that might not make it to production, it demonstrates what the folding phone technology could comfortably achieve one day.

The phone is based on the Adaptive Display concept that Motorola announced last year. Further, the brand didn’t reveal any significant details, except that it features a 6.9-inch pOLED screen capable of bending around a wrist. On the wrist, the phone rests with its screen out and the meshy exterior hugging the user’s hand. However, users must wear a magnetic bracelet for the phone to stick to it.

Can The Phone Survive Regular Wear And Tear?

While we’re all cautious without gadgets and smartphones in general, there are a couple of times when we bang it against the door or the car handle or end up dropping it on the floor. So the first question we have is whether a phone this flexible could survive the daily and occasional wear and tear.

In the plenty of photos and videos of the concept, we can see that the phone wraps itself around the wrist. However, it only snugs around two-thirds of the wrist. Is the grip firm enough to hold the phone, especially through paced or sudden hand movements?

A report by Android Authority suggests that the representative who demoed the device was wearing it around her wrists. She could move her hands without trouble, indicating that the grip was strong. As mentioned earlier, the back comprises several rectangular segments covered by a woven textile. This leads to our next doubt about how the phone handles sweat or moisture.

Several hinges located on the rear panel enable the bending mechanism on the phone. These help the phone bend outward, unlike the traditional foldables with a single hinge setup that turns inward. The hinges enable one to set up the phone in different positions, such as a kickstand mode.

Are The Hinges Durable Enough To Last A Typical Smartphone’s Lifespan?

According to a report by sellcell.com, the average replacement cycle for a smartphone is 3.6 years. Even if we consider a more aggressive number, let’s say two years, is Motorola’s concept phone durable enough to last without accidental drops? Given the challenges, we’re not questioning whether the company can turn the concept into an actual phone but wondering how it will do it.

Ultimately, we wonder whether the smartphone can double as a smartwatch. Given the smartphone is much larger and heavier than regular wearables, it has a long way to go before it can replace them. To conclude, we would like to appreciate how ambitious the device is. It might not be a reality today, but it indicates what the future of smartphones could look like.

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