Before the folding ones While they became the talk of the industry, one mobile phone dared to bend the rules. It wasn't flexible like today's phones, but it did open the door to a new format. That phone was the Kyocera Echo, and its story explains why many consider this unique model to be... the first modern “folding” in smartphone terms.
Beyond its visual impact, the Echo is interesting because it asked the same question in 2011 that we ask today: what's the point of opening your phone to get more screen space? Its three modes of use, its unique hinge, and its focus on multitasking made it an experiment ahead of its time, although hardware and battery limitations relegated it to a cult following. In retrospect, its legacy demonstrates that Technology comes and goes in cycles And that "weird" ideas eventually find their moment.
What was the Kyocera Echo and why is it called “the first foldable”?
Launched on April 17, 2011, for the US market through Sprint, the Kyocera Echo was marketed as "the first smartphone with a dual touchscreen." It didn't feature a single flexible screen, but rather two 3,5-inch panels joined by a hinge, allowing it to be used closed like a conventional phone or opened to expand its capabilities. The combined screen offered an area equivalent to 4,7 inches at 800x960 pixels, a proposition that some interpreted as... the germ of the foldable concept as we understand it today.
Kyocera wasn't shy about its positioning: the Echo aimed for productivity and multitasking in a format that, at first glance, resembled a book-style console. The most striking aspect wasn't just its shape, but that the Android 2.2 Froyo software—upgradable to 2.3 Gingerbread—was modified to coordinate the two screens and the apps for foldable devices to three very defined modes designed by the brand.
The three display modes: the heart of the experience
Kyocera structured the proposal into three usage modes: Simul-Task Mode, Optimized Mode, and Tablet Mode. The first allowed two apps to be open simultaneously, one on each screen, from a set of seven compatible apps predefined by the brand. This way, users could read emails on one screen and take notes on the other, or view maps while using another app, all with separate real multitasking per panel.
Optimized Mode went a step further: certain adapted applications split their interface between both screens to "specialize" each one for a different task. For example, a text editor at the top and the full keyboard at the bottom; or YouTube in a panel with the comments and description On the other hand, it was brilliant on paper, although it depended on developers embracing the idea, a problem that —a decade later— continues to haunt foldable phones.
Finally, Tablet Mode combined both screens to act as a single 4,7-inch canvas. It was ideal for browsing or consulting large maps, but the wide physical bezel between panels reminded you that it wasn't a single, continuous screen. Even so, as a demonstration of "extended display," it was an early attempt at to bring content to a mini tablet-type format.
An unusual hinge and a unique mechanical design
The opening mechanism was another of its major selling points. The Echo deployed its screens with a mechanical system that, due to its complexity and execution, likely remains a unique case in consumer electronics. We're not talking about just any hinge: the assembly precisely aligned both halves to enable "wide mode." From an industrial perspective, it was a design that sought to balance robustness and usability, even if it resulted in a thicker and heavier body than usual—two variables that continue to influence design today. the ergonomics of folding cars.
Hardware and performance: ambitious ideas, just enough muscle
The Echo ecosystem was powered by a 1 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon QSD8650, with an Adreno 200 GPU and 512 MB of RAM. In 2011, this hardware was already on the verge of collapse for a single screen, so running two panels and advanced modes only exacerbated the feeling of being stretched thin. In fact, the GPU was identified as a potential bottleneck with demanding apps, and overall performance could suffer with multitasking. All of this made it clear that Kyocera's offering was ahead of its time in terms of processing power, with an S1 that could barely keep up. double the graphics load.
In terms of storage, the device featured a microSD slot and included an 8GB card. It also offered Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g connectivity with the ability to create a hotspot, a front-facing camera for video calls, and a 5-megapixel rear camera with 720p video recording. The package was completed with dimensions of 115,0 × 56,5 × 17,2 mm and a weight of 193 grams, figures that were high for its time and reinforced the idea that the dual-screen design required obvious physical compromises.
Autonomy and connectivity: the high price of the dual panel
As a nod to developers, Kyocera and Sprint made specific tools available for dual screens, seeking to incentivize "optimized" apps. The reality, however, is that the catalog fell short: without an explosion of adapted software, the offering struggled to scale, a lesson the industry repeats every time it launches. a new hardware paradigm without ecosystem.
Availability, price and market reception
The Kyocera Echo was sold in the United States by Sprint for $200 with a contract. The Japanese brand had no presence in the catalogs of European carriers, nor did its mobile division actively operate in those markets, so the device never crossed the Atlantic. This deprived it of the exposure and adoption that the major European telecoms would have provided, contributing to its limited popularity. virtually none outside the US.
Over time, the Echo has become a rare and difficult-to-find item. Its pioneering status and unique hinge and software design elevate it to a collector's item, but what made it fascinating in its day—two real screens—also revealed technical limitations: a basic processor, a modest GPU, and limited app compatibility. insufficient battery.
Background and contemporaries of the dual screen
The Echo didn't appear out of thin air. A year earlier, in 2010, Samsung introduced the Continuum, with a 3,4-inch Super AMOLED main screen and a lower 1,8-inch, 480 x 96-pixel secondary screen. That "ticker" displayed notifications, controls, and data without interfering with the main interface: a more complementary than "dual" solution. It was an early approach to a second information area that we now recognize in various formats, from curved edges to auxiliary bars.
In 2011, LG launched the DoublePlay (LG Flip II), a device with a sliding physical keyboard and an additional two-inch screen embedded between the keys. The idea was to allow for shortcuts and "multitasking" like switching between emails and messages, although in practice it proved more of a distraction than a benefit. That experiment showed that if the second screen isn't well integrated into the workflow, the experience suffers by adding friction rather than enhancing it. simplify tasks.
That same year, Samsung unveiled the Doubletime, featuring two identical 3,2-inch screens with a resolution of 320 x 480 pixels, one on the outside and one on the inside. Technically, they were the same and displayed the same content; without functional differentiation, the duplication lost its purpose compared to a simple sliding design. All these models illustrate parallel paths of the era that, without reaching the ambition of the Echo, attempted to contribute “value” from duplicity.
The leap forward: YotaPhone, curved edges and secondary screens
In 2013, YotaPhone appeared with its proposal of a main color screen and an e-ink screen on the back. The concept transformed the phone into a reader for books and web pages with minimal power consumption, and reduced eye strain from the E Ink panel. The brand repeated the formula with YotaPhone 2 and later YotaPhone 3, consolidating a highly original and practical interpretation of dual screens that prioritized function and autonomy.
A year later, Samsung tried its luck with the Galaxy Note Edge. It wasn't two screens, but rather one that curved towards the right side to enable a secondary panel for viewing notifications, information, and shortcuts. This led to the Galaxy S6 edge and its successors, where the edge was more of an aesthetic feature with limited functionality. Even so, the concept of an "auxiliary area" on the side gained traction as high-end design firm.
LG explored the idea with the V series: the V10 and V20 added a 2,1-inch band above the main 5,7-inch panel for notifications and shortcuts. Even the HTC U Ultra replicated the approach. But the trend didn't take hold and eventually faded away, showing, once again, that the second screen only adds value if its The use case is clear and consistent..
In 2017, Meizu introduced the Pro 7 with a two-inch AMOLED panel on the back. It served as a notification window, music control, and, most importantly, a viewfinder for selfies with the main camera, even offering a bokeh effect thanks to its dual sensor. The concept still needed refinement, but it opened up interesting uses that, with some adjustments, could be improved. gain real traction.
ZTE Axon M: spiritual heir to the Echo
Years after the Echo, ZTE revived the concept with the Axon M, a dual-screen phone with hinged screens that, when folded, was compact, and when unfolded, was roughly the size of a seven-inch mini-tablet. Like the Kyocera, it allowed two simultaneous apps (one per screen) or a single app "extended" to full screen, reaffirming that the value of this idea lies in multitasking and expanded content, not in a one-to-one replica of what we already do with [previous devices]. a single screen.
From experiments to boom: the era of modern folding books
The concepts have been around for a while. In 2006, with MWC newly established in Barcelona, the Readius was showcased as the first foldable smartphone concept. It took time, but it eventually sprouted. In 2019, just four days apart, Samsung and Huawei vied for the title of the first major commercial foldable with the Galaxy Fold and Mate X, respectively. While Huawei remained in China, Samsung scaled internationallyEven in Spain, this sparked interest in a category that promised to rewrite the mobile phone format. And we've already seen triple-fold designs like Huawei's Mate XT, a sign that the industry hasn't stopped iterating on hinges, designs and panels.
However, this brilliance comes with its downsides. After several generations, foldable phones still have work to do in key areas: crease resistance, visible creases in the center of the panel after several months, greater susceptibility to micro-scratches, and, sometimes, noticeable warping depending on the light and angle. Manufacturers promise hundreds of thousands of folds, but real-world experience shows that durability still falls short of what we expect from a foldable phone. a high-end.
The battery and the cameras: the "buts" that burst the bubble
Battery life has become one of the biggest drawbacks. More screen (or more than one) means more power consumption, and the race for thinness and weight sometimes sacrifices battery capacity. In practice, many users are forced to rely solely on the external screen to get through the day, especially in shell-like designswhere not all models offer an external panel as useful as the best in the segment. It's difficult to sell productivity and entertainment "anywhere" when the power outlet becomes indispensable companion.
The other sticking point lies in the cameras. With prices ranging from €800 to €1.200 for clamshell cameras and from €1.400 to over €2.000 for flip cameras, the expectation is that of a flagship in every respect. However, many camera configurations are more akin to mid-range models: adequate sensors, modest zoom capabilities, and less focus on computational photography. It's hard to accept that, by paying the "innovation tax," we don't also get the best camera experience when it's a priority for [the company/the company]. most usersFor some, this imbalance between price and image is especially visible in models like the Mate X, which exemplifies the tension between cost and innovation.
Market data: high noise, small share
The media noise contrasts with the actual rate of salesIn 2022, just over 14 million foldable phones were sold, and estimates for 2023 point to around 21 million. These are striking figures, but small compared to the more than 1.300 billion smartphones sold in 2022 and the 1.166 billion in 2023. The category is growing, yes, but it hasn't broken through the niche product barrier. The question that remains is whether the perceived added value compensates for price, weight, and durability concerns, or whether the foldable design will continue to be, for the time being, a high-cost visual impact.
The technology behind flexible displays: challenges and promises
A key point is the difference between a “dual screen joined by a hinge” (Echo, Axon M) and a “single flexible screen” (the holy grail of current foldable phones). Modern designs rely on P-OLED panels capable of folding without a hinge that bisects the surface. But the panel alone isn't enough: the traditional touch layer uses ITO (indium tin oxide), which isn't flexible. For the assembly to withstand repeated folding, new-generation transparent conductive materials are needed, such as silver nanowires, metal mesh, or graphene. The entire stack—display, touch, adhesives—must balance flexibility, clarity, and durability with cost and manufacturing viability.
Among the theoretical advantages of this technology are its greater resistance to fracture due to its inherent flexibility, its smaller pocket size (when folded), potentially lower costs for "printable" panels, and improved multitasking when the software distributes tasks naturally. Once the foundations are established—materials, hinges, touch layers—manufacturers will be able to expand uses and functions that currently sound futuristic, but which will become a reality if experience proves successful. real and sustained value.
Kyocera's role in the ecosystem and other models from the brand
Kyocera hasn't been a global player in smartphones, and that's another reason why the Echo wasn't released outside the United States. Even so, its product line shows a focus on rugged and niche formats. One example is the Kyocera DuraXE 4G LTE, a robust clamshell phone designed for demanding environments and available unlocked for GSM networks. These types of products, often sold through retail channels with price and offer reporting forms, reinforce the company's exploration of new market segments. specific segments with highly utilitarian solutions.
From idea to final product: timelines, expectations and reality
In 2017, many were expecting the rumored Galaxy X to be the first major foldable phone, but Samsung dampened expectations by stating that neither the market nor the industry was ready. A few months later, Samsung and Huawei reignited the hype with plans to manufacture and launch their own models. Analysts predicted that the market would be saturated with these devices before 2020; in practice, the rollout has been gradual and selective. Although the catalog is now extensive, global adoption still depends on the sum of factors—price, durability, cameras, battery, and, above all, usability—convincing more users that the foldable design is worthwhile. The lesson of the Echo, with its boldness and its missteps, is that a powerful idea needs a mature ecosystem and hardware to accompany.
Looking back, it's hard not to smile at that recurring phrase among enthusiasts: "technology is cyclical." The Kyocera Echo was an oddball that dared to ask if we wanted two screens in our pockets. Sometimes that audacity is mistaken for clumsiness, but, as time passes, we discover that it took someone willing to fail first so that others could succeed later. Whether in the form of a double hinge or a flexible panel, the story of the foldable phone begins with experiments like these. And although its debut was a sales flop, the Echo taught us something important: that innovation isn't linear and that, in the end, what truly builds loyalty isn't the surprise of seeing the phone open, but how well it works when you do it.
