The article introduces the actual foldable displays and specifications supporting foldable smartphones, alongside a tour of a CSOT factory. It covers the features of the latest models, including the Razr fold and MIX Flip, as well as information on cost reductions enabled by PLE2.0 technology.
A visit to a factory operated by CSOT, the display subsidiary of major Chinese television manufacturer TCL, provided an overview of the company’s efforts to commercialize foldable displays and the current state of panels used in smartphones. The report discusses the resolution and refresh rate of the main inner display, as well as the models that use the outer display. In particular, a demonstration unit of the Razr fold showed that its crease was barely visible, and it was noted that the 6.6-inch outer display is also manufactured by CSOT.
The inner display of Motorola’s horizontally folding Razr fold measures 8.1 inches and has a resolution of 2400×1080 pixels, with support for a variable refresh rate of 1–120Hz. The outer display does not fold, and the phone uses a 6.6-inch CSOT display. The Razr has become a series, with CSOT panels used from the first-generation model. The Razr 50 Ultra was also displayed in the showroom, and both its inner and outer displays are made by CSOT.
Xiaomi’s foldable smartphones are not sold in Japan, but models such as the MIX Flip and MIX Flip 2 are available in China. The MIX Flip on display was described as a 6.86-inch LTPO OLED with 1.5K resolution and a peak brightness of 3000 nits, using a dedicated model with C8+ next-generation emissive materials. The foldable MIX Fold 4 has a 7.98-inch LTPO display with a resolution of 2224×2488 pixels and a peak brightness of 3000 nits. The crease is less noticeable on relatively newer models, while it was said to be somewhat more visible on a model from 2 years ago.
A new CSOT technology, PL E2.0 (PLE2.0), was highlighted for reducing display costs by approximately 30% compared with the previous generation. While display costs were cited as one factor behind the high prices of smartphones, the company indicated that technological innovation could bring prices down. Foldable displays for laptops and tablets are also moving toward commercialization, and although the company’s core business is TV panels, its expansion into multiple fields is continuing.
Overall, the technology supporting foldable displays is advancing year by year and is attracting attention as an important factor that will shape the experience of next-generation smartphones.