ZTE folds the smartphone with the Axon M

In today’s smartphone era, candy bar handsets are the most preferred when form factor is considered. There have been a few others, including flip, clamshell, slide and swivel, but bar phones are still seen as the most popular type. And as technology around mobile devices constantly improves, China-based manufacturer ZTE has taken the time to introduce its take into the future—a folding smartphone.

Featuring two 5.2in displays on a hinge, the Axon M has a resolution of 1,920x1,080 pixels each. The smartphone allows various viewing modes. While a user can opt to utilize only one screen, it can also play a game or watch a video using both screens, or mirror the same content. Corning Gorilla Glass 5 protects the screen.

The device runs on a Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 processor, with 4GB RAM and 64GB ROM, which can be expanded via microSD. The unit incorporates a 20MP camera, which acts as a rear and selfie shooter. A fingerprint scanner, 3.5mm headphone jack and Quick Charge 3.0 are incorporated as well.

Price for the Axon M still has not been announced, but the smartphone is set for release this year in Japan and the US, while customers in Europe will get their hands on the unit sometime in 2018.

ZTE isn’t the first company experimenting with foldable phones. Back in January, Microsoft was awarded a patent for a mobile device that can be unfolded, turning it into a larger tablet-style device. Meanwhile, Samsung’s own render features a hinge in the middle of the unit.

Huawei also has a working prototype, but the company has stressed the need to improve its design. Lenovo is playing around with the foldable mobile phone concept as well, and has experimented with a handset that can transform into a smart watch and wrap around the user’s wrists.

As global smartphone shipments are predicted to rise, consumers are also looking beyond the usual products that manufacturers are coming up with. Bezel-less devices are undeniably one of the hottest trends today, but a folding smartphone could become a new innovation and game changer that the market is looking for, at least if done right.