There are very few gadgets at CES 2019 that excite me so far. And this is one of them.
That’s because the FlexPai from Royole is the world’s first smartphone with a flexible display. The AMOLED screen unfolds to a massive 7.8 inches, which means you can use it as a phone or tablet.
I had a few minutes to play with this handset, which is available for sale as a developer edition model for a cool $1,318, and I came away impressed with the versatility of the design.
But I also get the feeling that this device was rushed to market to beat the likes of the rumored Galaxy F.
I did find it easy to change from phone to tablet mode and back again. In fact, it was fun just to see this thing transform over and over. Royole says the phone is rated for more than 200,000 bends, so it should be able to stand up to daily use.
Despite having such a large display, the phone didn’t feel heavy. It weighs 11.2 ounces, which is considerably more than the 7.1-ounce Galaxy Note 9. But you’re also getting a lot more real estate.
However, the design could be more refined. In tablet mode the FlexPai didn’t seem to lay perfectly flat; there was a slight curve in the middle. In addition, the hinge in the center of the phone looks a bit rubbery and cheap for such a premium device.
And even when fully closed, there’s a noticeable gap between both sides of the unit. More info and photos
By MARK SPOONAUER tomsguide.com
Photos: Tom’s Guide
