If Oppo makes its latest folding idea a reality, it could compete with the future iPhone Flip and the current Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5G.

These designs are the result of a patent filed by a Chinese company and discovered by LetsGoDigital. It will be interesting to see how Oppo intends to engage this emerging segment of the cell phone market, as they have yet to produce a foldable phone.

While LGD artists helped bring the patent to life with renderings, the Dutch outlet took some liberties with the design due to the lack of patent details.

The patent, titled "Foldable Device," shows a smartphone with a clamshell design like the iPhone Flip or Galaxy Z Flip, rather than the bookfold found on larger foldable devices like the Galaxy Z Fold 2. The patent describes the design in the context of a more compact design, as folding mechanisms are often bulky.

Oppo's hinge design is a central concern of this patent. This design uses gears to open smoothly, prevents excessive wear of the display portion on the hinge, and uses a cover plate under the screen to protect it from water and dust intrusion.

LGD suggests that the width of the hinge could exceed the width of the phone itself to provide multi-angle functionality similar to the Galaxy Z Flip's flex mode. They also suggest that Oppo's design may have an additional locking point, which would allow for a greater variety of screen angles when the phone is placed on a flat surface.

The patent makes no mention of a cover display, which is often added to clamshell folding devices for easier viewing of notifications when folded; it seems a bit odd now that we are used to the Z Flip and Razr approach, but the rendering reflects this

As for the camera, there is no mention of a cover display.

As for the cameras, nothing is specified in the patent, but the renderings show a triple camera array, like Oppo's other flagship phones; the Galaxy Z Flip has two 12MP exterior cameras, which is acceptable, not outstanding in terms of image quality. Adding more cameras or improving photo quality in other ways would be a good direction for Oppo.

Oppo currently uses a punch-hole notch, so LGD has given this render a punch-hole notch, again similar to the Z Flip. Oppo is also looking at using an under-display camera, and showed a prototype last year. However, adding this to a foldable may be a big ask, so a punch hole is a much more reasonable way to mount a selfie camera.

While the iPhone Flip will not be available anytime soon, Apple is definitely working on a clamshell foldable phone. Alternative designs are also being considered for a rollable display, where the display is pulled out of the body of the phone like a scroll. There is also a patent on how the display can repair scratches on its own.

However, the current prototype is akin to Microsoft's Surface Duo, with two regular-sized displays attached by a hinge. In any case, expect to see a foldable iPhone within a year or two.

Although not visible in the renderings, it is easy to guess that Oppo will bring the same trademark technology to the foldable as the OnePlus 8T later this month, including Ultra Steady Video mode and 65W SuperVOOC fast charging. By the time this patent becomes an actual phone, and if it ever does, even faster standards may be used, like Oppo's 125W charging concept.