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​FlexPai, Sold-Out, Begins Shipping in May
May 06, 2019
 
Royole’s FlexPai wasthe first foldable to be announced and released, despite the fact that it was titled a ‘developers model’.  The device itself, which sold out relatively quickly on the company’s website at a bit over $1,300. Royole/Royuu may have announced the FlexPai last year but it’s only last March that it reached production. The phone is available after some improvements on the processor. The FlexPai is reportedly now ready to be sold in the market. Actually, the units on Tmall have been sold out. More units will be delivered on May 9. No mention how many units have been sold. The foldable OLED display, which is produced by Royole works reasonably well, however there have been instances where screen artifacts have been found as seen below, which seem to come and go.
 
Figure 1: FlexPai Color Band Artifact 

Source: Ray Tech

​The FlexPai has a very large hinge system that takes up quite a bit of the back of the device, but the hinge system does not leave itself open to outside dirt and debris as the Samsung Fold does and is secured to the device with 10 small screws. Not the most elegant solution, but one that seems to have anticipated the problems Samsung is experiencing. 
 
Figure 2: FlexPai Hinge - Rear View

 Source: Ray Tech

​Figure 3: FlexPai Hinge Seal

Source: Ray Tech

​Since the screen folds outward, when closed, the rounded edge of the screen becomes specialized, and can interface with four of the apps on the phone, messaging, recording, a camera, and an Alipay payment code display.  If other applications are used, the edge screen goes blank, similar to the way the Samsung Edge displays work, although they are conformed to a fixed shape, but Samsung could have used this function in their foldable display, but the inward fold of the Fold does not lend itself to that end. 
 
Figure 4: FlexPai(Folded) with Smartedge 

Source: Royole

The FlexPai seems to be well thought out and while aesthetic and physical improvements are required, the first offering demonstrates a certain competence not normally associated with beginners.  From SCMR, LLC
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