Beyond tri-fold phones: Honor’s latest patent is a sliding display mechanism

Honor recently filed a patent which shows a sliding display mechanism that could allow users to make the phone screen bigger whenever they want.

Honor's latest patent hints it may launch a phone with a sliding display in the future. (Express Photo)

A few months ago, Huawei launched the Mate XT, the first tri-fold smartphone in the world in China. Following this, other smartphone manufacturers like Oppo and Tecno have showcased their concept of triple-folding devices, with Samsung rumoured to jump on the bandwagon sometime in 2026.

Now, a freshly filed patent by Honor and published by the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) showcases a new smartphone with a sliding display. According to the Chinese publication IT Home, which first spotted the patent, it looks like the sliding display will use a support structure that acts as a hinge for the sliding phone.

The patent suggests Honor may go with a scissor mechanism that uses linked folding supports in a crisscross X pattern, which will allow the screen to expand or retract. To power this, the company may be going with a linear motor. The design involves two screen parts, one of which is fixed while the other one slides. These displays are apparently connected using flexible elastic beams, which results in less stress on the screen.

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The patent suggests Honor will use a scissor mechanism to expand and retract the screen. (Image Source: ITHome)

While the sliding phone is still in the concept stage, compared to folding phones, where the screen touches one another when closed, the sliding design has some considerable advantages. One of the main reasons why foldable phones haven’t taken over the smartphone industry is that they are not as durable as candy bar phones. Since foldables have small space between screens, they are often susceptible to dirt and grime, which may eventually damage the display.

However, if Honor manages to cram in the mechanism inside the device itself, ideally it would be prone to dust and other things. Another advantage is that users will be able to slide the display whenever they want. This will open up enhanced multitasking capabilities and make it easier to watch content and edit photos or videos.

Right now, there is no word if Honor is working on a sliding phone, and as is the case with patents, the technology may never see the light of day, so we may have to wait a few years before sliding phones hit markets.