Motorola has secured a patent for a device that combines the functionalities of a smartwatch and a smartphone. Patent number US12,693,705 describes a "rotatable wearable reconfigurable display." When folded, the device is worn on the wrist like a regular watch, but its strap can unfold, when needed, into a short, wide display.
According to the patent description, the strap consists of two parts connected by magnets or mechanical fasteners. One part of the strap serves as the screen's base, while the other acts as an extension. This design results in a device with a flexible display, convenient for viewing notifications, workout data, or short videos.
This concept builds upon ideas Motorola showcased in its 2022 and 2023 concepts, where the company demonstrated rollable and foldable phones, one of which could be worn on the arm.
Unlike previous concepts, this new patent specifically emphasizes starting as a watch. Users can remove the device from their wrist, unfold the strap, and obtain a screen that can be held in hand. The resulting display's size is described as "short but wide," making it suitable for quickly viewing information without needing to pull out a separate smartphone.
The patent does not contain detailed technical specifications, offering no data on screen resolution, processor, battery capacity, or operating system. Body materials or exact dimensions are also not specified. This is typical for patent documents, which protect a design idea rather than a finished product.
Currently, there is no information on when, or even if, Motorola will release such a device commercially. The company's previous concepts have remained exhibition demonstrations. Competitors like Samsung and Google are actively developing foldable smartphones, yet none have offered a similar hybrid "watch-smartphone" form factor.
This patent indicates Motorola's continued experimentation with wearable device form factors; however, a considerable amount of time will likely pass before a real product emerges.
