Last year, Motorola presented an original concept for a phone that could wrap around the wrist. A few months later, what is this prototype, combining cutting-edge technology and ready-to-wear, really worth?
The Mobile World Congress (MWC) has just opened its doors in the city of Barcelona, Spain. You can also follow the main announcements and new features live from this 2024 edition. This major mobile event will once again be an opportunity to discover the latest innovations from manufacturers in terms of smartphones.
At the top of the list, we find Motorola with its astonishing concept halfway between the telephone and the connected watch. Our colleagues from CNET And ZDNET were also able to dip their wrists inside to give us their first impressions!
MWC 2024: the concept of a wristphone from Motorola is revealed a little more
During Lenovo Tech World, which took place last October, Motorola lifted the veil on an atypical innovation to say the least: the Adaptive Display Concept.
At first glance, it is a classic Android smartphone equipped with a 6.9-inch screen. However, this one has a particularity: that of being able to wrap around the wrist. A fabric, present on the back of the phone, also provides greater comfort.
This new smartphone from Motorola can also be partially folded to be placed on a flat surface. An ideal mode for making video calls according to CNET. Furthermore, according to ZDNETthe flexible aspect of the smartphone allows it to fold in half, thus offering the possibility of two people playing opposite each other.
If Motorola’s concept is original, and it has undeniable potential, it would still present serious drawbacks, particularly in terms of ergonomics.
A connected watch… without the advantages of a connected watch?
To be able to wrap the flexible smartphone around their wrist, the user must first attach a Milanese mesh bracelet equipped with magnets. However, according to journalist Kerry Wan of ZDNet, the installation would not be as simple as it seems. Many journalists would have encountered some difficulties in attaching the device, in particular because of its weight.
For his part, Andrew Lanxon of CNET regrets the mandatory presence of the magnetic bracelet. He would have preferred a smartphone capable of conforming more closely to the shape of the wrist in order to be able to enjoy a fully portable device. He also asserts that the Adaptive Display Concept is too intrusive, and that its bulk still remains too large.
It appears from the various press opinions that the Adaptive Display Concept does not present any real interest compared to a traditional connected watch (its greatest strength ultimately lies in its ability to fold to become its own support). The various journalists have also noted the presence of several bugs, starting with screen responsiveness problems.
It is still good to remember that this product from Motorola is currently only a prototype and that the brand is probably not planning to market it any time soon. As it is presented, it is therefore not intended for general public use.
Sources: CNET, ZDNET
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