TCL prototype Leaked, phone with an expandable, slide-out display

TCL is working on a new phone with a slide-out display, leaked images published by CNET. According to CNET’s sources, TCL had been planning to show off the phone at MWC, before the trade show was canceled over coronavirus fears.

Source: CNET

TCL concept phone appears to use one continuous display, with curved screens on either side. Between the center of the phone and the dual front-facing camera along the right side, there's a break in the chassis where you can pull the two sides apart to expose the surplus screen.

Source: CNET

It's not clear exactly how the mechanism inside would work, but my best guess is that one portion of the flexible display bends or wraps behind the other. This might make the phone a little thicker than usual. 

The design also suggests that half of the phone will be left empty when the device is expanded since it has to be able to fit while the device is in its more compact model.

Source: CNET

The slide-out screen design is intriguing because it achieves the same goal of teasing the screen real estate of a tablet from a device the size of a typical phone, without the complication of bending the device. This could allow it to have a single, more efficient battery, and could potentially solve the problem of the foldable phone's telltale crease.

TCL has notably embraced concept phone designs in the last year, showing off at least half a dozen foldable phone prototypes. 

With MWC off the table, there's no saying when we'll be able to get our hands on this dazzling device.