MWC 2024: Not just Motorola, Samsung also showed off a phone that you can wrap around your wrist

Amidst the flurry of innovations showcased at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2024, I liked Samsung's bendable concept phone. It is a wrist-worn phone that smoothly combines form and function, similar to Motorola's bendable concept phone. While still in the developmental stages, this futuristic device offers a glimpse into what to look forward to in the future. Samsung is calling it the OLED Cling Band.

Samsung's wrist phone concept reminded me of my childhood days. The ability to effortlessly wrap the phone around one's wrist, akin to the beloved slap bracelets of yesteryears, adds a delightful novelty factor that captures the imagination.

At first glance, the device resembles a standard smartphone, albeit with a distinctive series of ridges along its backside. However, with a simple flick, it transforms into what can only be described as "backbend mode," which means that you can easily wrap it around your wrists by just slapping it on your arm. Despite the presence of creases in some areas of the display, the display seemed smooth to touch.

Dubbed the Samsung Cling Band, this accessory features a flexible OLED screen that serves dual purposes as both a smartphone and a smartwatch. In its traditional mode, one can see it having a thin form factor and the display is also almost bezel-less. There is also a rear camera like a conventional smartphone.

But, as I mentioned in my Motorola article of MWC 2024, bendable phones are not practical and this is understandable for now because they are still being developed. But, the concept also raises a few questions in one's mind.

Durability is a major concern, with repeated folding potentially causing wear and tear on internal components. Screen integrity is another issue, as flexible OLED displays may develop creases or damage at the fold point. User experience must also be optimized, addressing issues like accidental bending, and discomfort during use. The apps also need to be optimised as per the screen ratio of the device.

There is also limited space for batteries, posing a challenge for battery life and overall performance. Additionally, the high manufacturing costs of bendable phones may limit accessibility to a niche market. It will be interesting to see how Samsung will promote this product in the market whenever it comes in the future, but it will likely take a lot of time.