Royole FlexPai: Everything You Need to Know About the First Foldable Display Phone

The Royole FlexPai was the first foldable display phone to hit the market, and it's been making waves ever since its release in 2018.

It features a unique 7.8-inch flexible OLED display that can be folded in half, allowing users to transform their phone into a compact device.

The FlexPai has a 4:3 aspect ratio and a resolution of 1920 x 1440 pixels, making it perfect for reading, browsing, and watching videos.

The phone's hinge mechanism is designed to withstand up to 200,000 folds, ensuring that it will last for a long time.

The Royole FlexPai comes with Android 9.0 "Pie" out of the box.

This operating system provides a smooth and intuitive user experience. The phone's single folding AMOLED display is a game-changer, offering an immersive viewing experience.

The display is supported by a large 4,000 mAh battery, which should last you a full day with moderate use. The phone also features a dual-SIM card setup, making it easy to switch between different phone numbers or data plans.

A fingerprint sensor is located on the phone, providing an additional layer of security and convenience.

The Royole FlexPai has a top-tier Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 CPU, which should make it fly, but unfortunately, it didn't quite live up to expectations.

The device ran slow, with even simple tasks like taking a picture or turning from tablet to phone mode taking a long time. Opening the settings required a harder press, and it was slow to open.

The Water OS software, built on top of Android 9 Pie, seems to have some nice user interface tweaks, such as apps sliding along portions of the screen or the spine being used for quick app links.

The design of a product or system is crucial in determining its performance, as it sets the foundation for how users will interact with it. A well-designed product is intuitive and easy to use, reducing the likelihood of errors and frustration.

A good design should prioritize simplicity and clarity, making it easy for users to understand and navigate. This can be achieved by using clear and concise language, avoiding clutter, and using a consistent layout.

A consistent layout can help to reduce cognitive load, making it easier for users to focus on the task at hand. This can be seen in the example of a well-designed dashboard, where all the necessary information is presented in a clear and organized manner.

The screen size and resolution of a device can also impact performance, as it affects how much information can be displayed at once. A larger screen with a high resolution can help to reduce clutter and make it easier to read and understand information.

In the case of a mobile app, a well-designed screen can help to improve user engagement and retention. This can be achieved by using a clear and consistent layout, along with high-quality visuals and intuitive navigation.

By considering the design and screen of a product or system, developers can create a user-friendly and efficient experience that meets the needs of their users. This can lead to improved performance, increased user satisfaction, and ultimately, a more successful product or system.

Check this out: Touch Screen Blackberry Phones

The Royole FlexPai's performance is a bit of a mixed bag. It's running on top-tier Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 CPU and 6GB of RAM, which should make it fly.

However, our experience with the device was slow. Taking a picture, turning from tablet to phone mode, and even opening the settings took a long time.

One thing that's clear is that Water OS, the operating system used by the FlexPai, still has a long way to go in terms of efficiency. It's not clear why the device ran so slowly despite having the necessary specs.

Despite the performance issues, there are some nice user interface tweaks in the FlexPai. The apps sliding along portions of the screen is a cool feature.

You might like: Sony Xperia X Performance

The Royole FlexPai has some impressive features that make it stand out. Its flexible screen is a major selling point, allowing it to bend and offering a unique user experience.

The screen's flexibility is a game-changer, and it's clear that the company has put a lot of thought into designing it. Here are some of the key pros of the FlexPai:

One of the biggest drawbacks of the FlexPai is its performance. Unfortunately, it's a very slow device, which can be frustrating to use.

The camera on the FlexPai also has some issues, with a terrible camera shutter speed that can make it difficult to take clear photos. And, if you're looking to buy one, be prepared to spend a pretty penny - it's very expensive.

The Royole FlexPai is available to buy in China right now, and comes in at a pretty hefty $1,300 (around £1,000 / AU$1,825).

The high asking price is likely due to the innovative tech inside the phone, which is only interesting to early adopters or those with deep pockets.

If you order a FlexPai now, you'll be in for a little wait, with a 30-60 day delivery period as the firm gets to grip with production.

The Royole FlexPai is only available in China right now, but a developer version is available in the US and Europe for $1,318 (around £1,035, AU$1,850) with 128GB storage.

There's also a 256GB model available for $1,469 (around £1,150, AU$2,060), but it's still unclear when the final version of the handset will arrive.

Here's a quick rundown of the prices and storage options:

The final version of the handset is expected to arrive sometime this year, but no exact date has been announced.

The Royole FlexPai has a dual-camera setup, with a 16MP wide-angle camera alongside a 20MP telephoto snapper.

The cameras feature optical image stabilization (OIS), which should help with low-light performance.

There's a flash, which is a nice touch.

The camera quality uses a dual sensor, but unfortunately, it's not anything to write home about.

Recorded video quality was merely okay, but it was nice being able to fold the phone and have it stand up by itself – that was a novel experience.

Due to the folding nature of the FlexPai, there's no separate selfie camera, as the handset can be folded to make the cameras either front or rear facing.

Reviews of the Royole FlexPai have been mixed, with some critics impressed by its innovative display, but others finding it to be a flawed device.

The software on the FlexPai is a major issue, with many reviewers noting that it's not up to the task of supporting the device's unique features.

Despite its flaws, the FlexPai does give a sense of the future of smartphones, showcasing what's possible with flexible screens.

Tech reviewers have been candid about their disappointment with the device, with some stating that it's not worth buying in its current state due to its high price and subpar software.

Reviews for the Royole FlexPai have been mixed, with some critics praising its display while others have come down harder on its flaws.

The phone's display is indeed quite amazing, with Stuff's Matthew Tate finding it impressive. However, he stopped short of recommending buying one due to its software issues.

TechRadar's Gareth Beavis and John McCann were even more critical, stating that the software is not up to the task and needs to be improved massively before considering a purchase.

The phone's design has also been panned, with Matthew Tate describing it as "not particularly pleasant to hold or look at".

The Royole FlexPai is a device that's more of a curiosity than a practical choice for regular consumers.

It's not easy to recommend the FlexPai for everyday use, despite its novel qualities.

The device has failed to hold up well over time, with its non-essential features not improving with age.

The FlexPai's novelty wore off, and its other aspects didn't get any better.

The Royole FlexPai 2 is a significant improvement over its predecessor, and it's clear that the company is committed to making foldable technology more accessible and user-friendly.

The FlexPai 2 has a mirror-like smooth screen that can withstand over 1.8 million folds without creases.

One of the standout features of the FlexPai 2 is its dual-screen design, which allows users to have a 7.8-inch screen when unfolded and a 5.5-inch screen when folded.

The phone also comes with a dedicated interface called WaterOS 2.0, which is based on Android 10 and offers multitasking features perfect for working at home.

The FlexPai 2 is available in three colors: Silver, Black, and Gold, and will be priced under $1,500.

Here are the key specs of the FlexPai 2:

The FlexPai 2 is available for purchase starting September 25, and it's clear that Royole is committed to making foldable technology more mainstream.

The Royole FlexPai is a device designed specifically for developers and enthusiasts, which explains its high price point of $1,318 for the 6GB RAM and 128GB storage model, and $1,469 for the 8GB RAM and 256GB storage model.

The FlexPai will come with a custom version of Android 9.0, which I got to try out on a pre-production unit, and let's just say it was a bit of a buggy mess.

Royole is working on addressing the software issues, which they expect to have resolved before the release in six to eight weeks.

The company is likely targeting developers who will have an easier time justifying the high cost of the device.

The Royole FlexPai is a significant milestone for the tech industry.

Royole's major investment of $1.2B in production facilities to make flexible displays more readily available is admirable.

This investment may be a game-changer for the tech industry, paving the way for more affordable and innovative flexible displays.

The FlexPai's commercial release may be a major milestone, marking the beginning of a new era in flexible display technology.

As suppliers compete with each other, we can expect the cost of implementing this tech to go down and the pace of innovation to go up.

Expand your knowledge: Redmi Go

The Royole FlexPai's foldable display is a game-changer. It features a 7.8-inch 1440p AMOLED display that's bright and offers saturated colors, just like traditional smartphone displays.

The display has a 4:3 aspect ratio, which is perfect for functioning like a traditional phone when folded. This design choice allows the device to seamlessly transition from tablet to phone mode.

The folding mechanism is supported by a hinge with over 100 unique components, making it sturdy and reliable. However, I did notice that folding and unfolding the device required a bit of force, which made me a bit nervous.

The flexible display is made possible by a type of flexible plastic material, rather than traditional cover glass. This design choice not only makes the device shatterproof but also gives it a unique look and feel.

The hinge supports pretty much every angle, so you can fold and use the FlexPai in any position you wish. I found this to be a really useful feature, especially when trying to multitask or take notes on the go.