Vivo Working On Foldable Smartphone With Magnetic Detachable Display: Here’s What We Know

Vivo’s recent patent reveals an innovative approach to foldable phones featuring a detachable second screen.

Vivo may be about to shake up the foldable phone market with a clever new idea – a detachable second screen. According to a recent patent filing in China (via 91Mobiles), the company’s concept combines the flexibility of a foldable display with the modularity of a separate device. This extra screen can magnetically snap onto the main phone or break away to work on its own, so it can be used for presentations, gaming or media playback.

Modular Design with Magnetic Attachment

The patent (application number 202411862519.0) describes two distinct units – a primary “controller” phone and a secondary display. They cling together via magnets and connect through contact points along their edges. When joined, both screens act as one cohesive device – sharing power, data, and controls. But pull them apart, and the second screen doesn’t go dark; it switches to independent mode.

Vivo new foldable phone concept Source 91Mobiles — Vivo new foldable phone concept (Source: 91Mobiles)

A Second Screen That Stands Alone

Once detached, the extra panel isn’t just a useless slab of glass. It houses its own small hardware module, screen, and speaker. It can receive commands or media from the main phone – or even from other gadgets – to show slides, play videos, or stream audio. Think of it as a pocketable media player, a mini presentation monitor, or a tiny smart display for controlling lights, music, or other smart-home devices.

Boosted Productivity and Entertainment

With both screens active, Vivo’s concept could solve a major annoyance of today’s foldables – wasted display area when the phone is folded. Users could split tasks between two people – one writing notes while the other watches a tutorial – or enhance gaming sessions by relegating maps, inventories, or chat windows to the detachable screen. If that smaller unit has its own speaker, it could even improve overall sound quality when used alongside the main phone.

What This Could Mean for Foldables

While it’s still a patent – meaning there’s no guarantee the product will ever hit store shelves – the idea hints at a more versatile future for foldable gadgets. Instead of a single bendable panel, Vivo might spark a trend toward modular, multi-device setups that adapt to different needs. If they can pull it off, we could soon see phones that are not just flexible, but truly multi-functional.

It’ll be a while before we know if Vivo plans to turn this patent into a real product. But in a crowded foldable field, the promise of a detachable second screen certainly gives us something new to look forward to.

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