Motorola’s Bendy Phone Watch Concept
Motorola’s Latest Concept: A Bendy Phone Watch
Motorola, owned by Lenovo, has been doing well in the smartphone world and has recently returned to the smartwatch market. However, the company’s latest concept, a hybrid device that combines a phone and a watch, is raising eyebrows. The so-called “Pivoting Wearable Reconfigurable Screen” features a smartwatch design with a strap that doubles as a massive, wraparound screen. When unfolded, the two halves of the strap come together to create a smartphone-esque screen, similar to the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip or the Apple iPhone 14 Pro.
This concept is not entirely new, as Motorola itself teased a similar-looking device at the MWC tech show in 2024, known as the “bendy phone”. The device adopted a more traditional smartphone form factor but could be snapped onto the wrist. However, Tech Advisor’s Managing Editor, Chris Martin, was not impressed, describing it as “the most stupid smartwatch I‘ve ever seen”. The new patent is surprising, especially considering the flaws in the design.
Flaws in the Design
The first issue with this concept is durability. The fragile displays of smartwatches, such as the Apple Watch Series 10 or the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6, are already vulnerable to bumps and scratches. The wraparound screen on Motorola’s concept would make it even more prone to damage. Additionally, the crease between the two halves of the screen would be a significant problem, as seen on early folding phones like the Samsung Galaxy Fold or the Huawei Mate X.
Battery life is another concern. Most Wear OS smartwatches, like the Google Pixel Watch 4 or the Fossil Gen 6, barely last a day or two, despite being a pared-back version of the Android OS on your phone. It’s hard to imagine how a hybrid device like this would have a decent battery life, especially considering the power-hungry nature of smartphones like the Apple iPhone 15 or the Samsung Galaxy S25.
A Warning from the Past
A product that actually made it to market serves as a stark warning. The ZTE Nubia Alpha smartwatch, released in 2019, boasted a flexible 4.01-inch display in a similar design to the Motorola patent. However, the awkward design, compromised software experience, and high price meant it was soon discontinued. It’s unlikely that Motorola would be able to address these fundamental flaws, especially considering the success of modern smartwatches like the Apple Watch Series 10 or the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6.
Modern smartwatches have already perfected the ‘smartphone on your wrist’ experience, offering all the core tools in a much more intuitive form factor. If you opt for an LTE model, like the Apple Watch Series 10 LTE or the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 LTE, you can easily leave your smartphone at home and still receive all your usual calls, texts, and emails. The iPad Air M2 or the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 can also be used to stay connected on the go.
