At CES 2019, the crowds witnessed the incredible unveiling of the Royole FlexPai, a smartphone that challenged the conventional design by introducing a foldable display. Underneath the glare of the Las Vegas lights, tech enthusiasts and experts alike were presented with what can only be described as a glimpse into the future of mobile technology.

The Royole FlexPai stands out as it blandly defies the rigid norms we’ve come to expect with its bendable screen that can fold at a range of angles without breaking. Its AMOLED display stretches to 7.8 inches when unfolded, resembling more of a tablet than a phone, providing users with an expansive screen real estate for every task – from watching videos to reading and app interaction.

Having one’s hands on this device feels like holding something from a sci-fi movie. It’s an odd mixture of novelty and practicality; you’re constantly aware that you’re manipulating your phone in ways that would spell doom for traditional devices. The hinge mechanism that allows for this flexible wonder is sturdy, although it does make the phone quite bulky when folded.

The user interface tries to keep pace with the innovative hardware, automatically adjusting from the large tablet layout to a more traditional phone setup when it’s folded. However, this transition isn’t always as smooth as one would hope, sometimes lagging behind your physical manipulation of the device.

Admittedly, there are concerns. The fold creates a noticeable crease down the center of the display which raised questions about long-term durability and display performance. Also, in its current form, when folded, it becomes almost comically wide for a phone — not something that will easily slip into your pocket.

That said, Royole has certainly made it clear that they are pushing boundaries and provoking discussion around what’s possible with mobile devices. The FlexPai might be a first-generation product and more of a tech prototype than an everyday gadget for consumers at this point. But what makes this device so compelling is that it sets off a race within an industry hungry for innovation.

It heralds an exciting era where phones are no longer limited to rectangles confined to stiff boards; they become dynamic objects capable of changing shape according to our needs. Whilst there may be some way to go in refining such technology, CES 2019 has proved through hands-on experiences with the Royole FlexPai that foldable phones are not just a passing fancy; they are solidly our bendable future.