MWC 2019: ZTE Nubia to launch the world’s first wearable smartphone
HIGHLIGHTS
- Forget flexible phones, let's talk flexible wearables
- Dubbed as nubia-α (Alpha), the device was first showcased at IFA 2018 in Berlin
- Samsung, Huawei and Xiaomi are expected to join the league
Nubia, the Chinese smartphone brand confirmed its presence at the upcoming Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2019 at Barcelona by teasing the launch of its flexible smartphone. The device was first displayed at IFA 2018 dubbed as nubia-α (Alpha), in Berlin last year. Anyhow the company had just unveiled a dummy prototype of the phone that did not work. Looks like, the company is finally ready to launch it worldwide.
The nubia-α (Alpha) USP is that one can wear this device on their wrist. It flaunts a large curved OLED touch screen display which uses Flex, Nubia's propriety flexible display technology. The device also has a camera on the front accompanied by a microphone and buttons on both sides.
The backside of the device consists of charging pins and a heart rate sensor. The wearable smartphone also has a metal strap available in Black and Golden colour options. Currently, the company didn’t disclose any details about its specifications, price or availability.
MWC 2019 will officially see the transition to foldable smartphones with Samsung and Huawei heading the pack while players like Nubia also joining the league. Later Xiaomi also plans to launch a foldable smartphone. Samsung, Huawei and Xiaomi are expected to get in on the action.
This is not the first time for ZTE trying its luck in the foldable smartphone area. Earlier in 2018, it displayed the ZTE Axon M at MWC which came with two displays attached by a hinge in between. As per reports, Nubia is also working on a dual-screen phone. Recently, a video was seen online showing a coloured screen on the back. It was assumed to be an upgrade to Nubia Z18 and was dubbed as Nubia Z18S.
The supposed smartphone has now appeared on the Chinese certification website, TENNA listings. It was seen listed with a model number NX616J, showing two screen sizes -- 6.26-inch TFT display and 5.1-inch OLED screen display with 2280x1280 and 1520x720 resolutions respectively.
Can't wait to get this on our wrists!