Flip phones could return in a big way

A decade ago, flip phones ruled the world. The Motorola Razr was the bestselling clamshell phone, selling more than 130 million units during its four-year run, starting in 2003, and ending in 2007 with the introduction of the iPhone.
Apple’s smartphone changed everything. Suddenly, phone makers needed their hardware to be ‘smart’, and tried their best to emulate the ‘large’ 3.5-inch screen of the iPhone. They discarded the common smartphone design, a small screen on top with a keyboard, with a hinge connecting the two ‘shells’ so one would protect the other when closed, opting for a simple, unbendable rectangle with an exposed screen.

Years later, smartphones are everywhere. And yet, the smartphone hasn’t reached total saturation. Because there’s still something to be said for the old-school clamshell, even though its simplicity disallows all the latest apps and tools like Uber and Spotify. But perhaps there’s a middle ground.

Clamshells have one distinct advantage: Since they can fold in half, their displays remain protected when closed or in a pocket or purse, and the phone’s form factor also becomes smaller too.

Samsung plans to release its first smartphone with a super flexible display next year. If Samsung can push its flexible displays to withstand constant bending, perhaps the world could see a smart flip phone: A handset with a large display that’s also super portable and protected, since it can be folded when you are not using it.

This dream is still years away, but quality flexible technology is definitely coming.

It’s not too late for a smartphone to offer this design appeal: something with plenty of visual real estate that can be folded and protected by its carapace.