In a video it unveiled on its YouTube channel today, TECNO has bared its own tri-fold smartphone concept in the TECNO Phantom Ultimate 2.

Aiming to redefine the large-screen experience on a compact form factor, the Phantom Ultimate 2 sports a 10-inch display when unfolded. This tablet-esque 3K LTPO display has a 4:3 aspect ratio and impressive 392 PPI pixel density.

In addition, the display features OLED Touch and TDDI technology for the first time in a foldable device. The concept offers a glimpse into a more immersive, convenient, and exciting future for foldable smartphones.

TECNO mentioned that it considered key points like hinge durability, camera performance, and software optimization in its attempt to mark a significant leap forward in foldable innovation. In fact, the hinge on the Phantom Ultimate 2 is said to be able to withstand over 300,000 folds. It also has a 2100MPa tensile strength.

Not sacrificing portability either, the phone measures just 11mm when folded. To make the Phantom Ultimate 2 as thin as possible, TECNO also utilized a super compressed Titan Advanced Fiber material for its battery cover, which measures an industry-thinnest 0.25mm.

The camera, meanwhile, is located on the leftmost side of the unfolded phone’s rear. This leads to an easier time for users to find the handset’s center of gravity.

Versatile scenarios

With such a unique form factor, the Phantom Ultimate 2 opens various scenarios for users for work, entertainment, and daily life in general. The phone supports screen hovering for new possibilities.

For example, users may fold a third of the phone to a 90-degree angle for its keyboard. The middle third acts as a laptop-style display. Lastly, users may utilize the final third for multi-screen functions.

Furthermore, the phone may be folded into tent mode for dual-screen face-to-face real-time AI translation. Users can likewise explore creative unfolded angles enabled by the tri-fold design. Based on TECNO’s released images, it looks like the Phantom Ultimate 2 will also come with stylus support.

TECNO also mentioned that it will lean on advanced software and UI specially optimized for the tri-fold design so users can take advantage of the tri-fold hardware. Optimizations include dynamic wallpapers and adaptive icons that adjust with folding and unfolding.

The unveiling of the new concept is in line with TECNO’s goal of releasing soon its second-generation foldable devices, the Phantom V Fold2 5G and Phantom V Flip2 5G.

New era?

In case you have been living under a rock, it’s pretty much common knowledge that we’re well into the era of AI smartphones. That’s after book-style and flip foldables also became a norm in the past few years.

With TECNO’s unveiling, it now seems that foldable smartphones are headed towards this direction. In the past few weeks, Huawei’s chairman, Richard Yu, has been spotted carrying what looks like a tri-fold smartphone. Looks like the race is on when it comes to which company officially releases the world’s first tri-fold foldable.