Asus makes folding screen phone without the phone
Technology
If you've got room for an extra laptop-sized device, this folding monitor will go wherever you go
(Web Desk) - The new Asus ZenScreen Fold OLED takes the idea behind folding screen smartphones that transform into larger tablets and super-sizes it to create a display that's large enough to use as a second screen for a laptop —minus all the smartphone bits.
When closed, the Asus ZenScreen Fold looks like a laptop, but when opened it becomes a 17.3-inch portable OLED screen with a resolution of 2,560 x 1,920 pixels and excellent color reproduction.
Unlike a lot of portable screen solutions that are designed to improve productivity when using apps like Excel, the Asus ZenScreen Fold OLED would be a useful tool for photographers who rely on apps like Adobe Lightroom or Photoshop and need a color-accurate display.
Although the display does feature a sizeable bezel, Asus says the crease in the middle of its folding OLED screen isn't visible when the ZenScreen Fold is completely opened.
On smartphones like the OnePlus Open you can feel the crease where the OLED screen folds in half when swiping your finger across, but the ZenScreen Fold doesn't have any touch functionality so that won't be an issue, either.
To help keep it upright without a stand the 2.65-pound Asus ZenScreen Fold OLED includes a folding kickstand on the back that supports the screen in both horizontal and vertical orientations.
It also features a standard screw mount for users who want to attach it to a tripod.
Other devices like a laptop or a game console can be connected to the ZenScreen Fold using its dual USB-C ports or its mini HDMI port.
That connector was probably chosen to help keep the display just 9.7-millimeters thick, but it also means you may need to add a mini HDMI to regular HDMI adapter to your kit.
There's also no battery on board, so as mobile as the display is, it will always need an external power source to use.
Asus hasn't yet confirmed pricing for its new ZenScreen Fold OLED or when the display will officially go on sale.
