Motorola may be gearing up to expand its foldable lineup beyond clamshell-like phones. A newly discovered Motorola book-style foldable patent suggests that the company is exploring a different approach, one that could set it apart from the competition.
A Motorola book-style foldable
The patent, uncovered by MySmartPrice, shows a foldable phone with a design similar to the Oppo Find N5, Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6, and Honor Magic V3. However, instead of featuring a full-sized cover display like its rivals, Motorola has opted for a smaller front screen. This resembles the external display of its Razr foldables.
The decision to shrink the cover display is an interesting one. Most book-style foldables allow users to interact with their devices both folded and unfolded. Motorola’s design suggests that it wants users to keep the phone open for most tasks. The smaller front screen would serve as a tool for quick interactions, notifications, and basic controls rather than providing full smartphone functionality.
This form factor is a significant departure from Motorola’s current foldable strategy. So far, the company has focused exclusively on clamshell foldables with the Razr series. Razr phones have gained popularity for being a more affordable alternative to Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip lineup. If Motorola moves forward with a full-fledged book-style foldable, it will be entering a highly competitive space dominated by Samsung, Oppo, and Honor. However, product pricing would be a key factor.
The potential future of Motorola foldables
Another notable mention in the Motorola book-style foldable patent is satellite connectivity. As smartphone manufacturers continue to integrate this feature into flagship devices, Motorola is keeping up with industry trends. The patent doesn’t go into specifics, but this could be a sign that Motorola wants its foldables to offer emergency communication capabilities. This is similar to Apple’s Emergency SOS via satellite.
However, we should note that a patent filing doesn’t guarantee a product launch. Many companies patent designs that never make it past the concept stage. So, there’s no telling if or when this book-style foldable will hit the market. That being said, if Motorola does decide to enter the book-style foldable space, it will be facing off against some of the biggest names in the industry. This could include Apple, if recent rumors are to be believed.
For now, the company appears focused on its upcoming Motorola Razr 60 series. The phones are expected to launch soon.
