Royole Rocks the Mobile World with the First Foldable Phone
Breaking the ice – Chinese startup Royole Corporation dropped a bomb on the tech scene by unveiling the FlexPai, probably the globe’s very first fold‑able smartphone.
What Makes the FlexPai Stand Out?
- Screen‑splitting magic – A 19.8 cm display that folds neatly in half, giving you three tiny screens on the front, back, and spine.
- Durable as a superhero – Tested for an eye‑watering 200,000 open‑and‑close cycles. Think Olympic training for a phone.
- Size & heft – Weighs 320 g, roughly 50% heavier than the iPhone XS Max or Galaxy Note 9 (both hovering just over 200 g). A real, chunky gadget.
- Price tag – Priced between 8,999 yuan ($1,787) and 12,999 yuan ($2,582).
Big‑Business Meets Big‑Hope
Co‑founder Bill Liu Zihong (35) declared it a historical moment akin to the first starship launch. He insists the FlexPai will prove popular because it lets users enjoy a super‑big display while still fitting in a pocket.
How the Market Responded
- Surprise charge: Many analysts expected giants like Samsung or Huawei to lead the foldable revolution, but Royole stole the spotlight.
- Flash sales: The company will host a trio of “flash sales” for Chinese consumers next Thursday (Nov 1).
- Global buzz: Even TechCrunch’s Evan Blass tweeted that LG plans to unveil their own foldable in 2019.
Launch & Delivery
Royole will start hand‑outs in late December. Stay tuned; the future of portable screens just became a bit more flexible—and a lot cooler.
