The flip phone is making a comeback. But don’t call it a comeback. Instead, call it "delayed evolution."If early rumors about folding phones gaining large and interactive cover displays are true, the form factor is about to be at the cutting edge once again. Below are three ways we want to use cover displays in future foldables.

Which Foldable Phones Are Getting Bigger Cover Display Screens?

9to5Google reports that Motorola is possibly releasing a new version of the Razr codenamed "Juno"—it’ll likely be called the Motorola Razr (2023)—that’ll have a cover display larger than the Oppo Find N2 Flip’s 3.26 incher. In fact, rumor has it that the Razr’s cover display could take up most of its outer shell.

Leaked prototype of the Motorola Razr (2023)
Image Credit: evleaks

The image shared by Twitter leaker Evan Bass indicates that the display can move into the phone’s camera area. It even seems to have a navigation menu. That’s significant.

The site also reported that another leaker, Ice universe, hinted that the Galaxy Z Flip 5 could have a cover display larger than 3.26 inches:

As of February 2023, a cover display larger and more interactive than the Find N2 Flip is still the parameter to beat. Manufacturers know this. So how should they integrate cover displays into future flip phones? We have a few ideas.

Watching Videos From Notifications

Count the steps it takes to watch a video sent to you in a message and respond. It probably takes more than you realized. A large cover display could whittle these steps down to two, max. Here’s how we would like to watch videos from notifications on a future cover display.

When receiving a message with a media link, your phone would automatically detect the media and queue it in the appropriate app (e.g., YouTube links would auto-queue in one’s YouTube app). Then, a notification showing the video could appear, with the option to respond to the person or watch the video from the cover display itself.

Choose to watch the video; it’ll display full screen with the usual player controls. But let’s think bigger. You could even use the app natively with a cover display that covers the entire back shell of the phone (similar to the Motorola Razr (2023) rumors). All without opening your phone. Renders published by The Tech Outlook give an idea of how big the screen could be.

A concept image of Motorola Razr 2023
Image Credit: The Tech Outlook

Using Apps in Split Screen

Devices like Microsoft’s Surface Duo series have popularized the idea of split-screen apps. The two-screen feature is just as much a productivity booster as Snap Layouts in Windows 11. It sounds like the perfect solution for a large cover display.

Opening the flip phone gives you more real estate to work with on the cover display than a typical display. Apps could also open in full display. Or utilize all the screens simultaneously in some cases.

This tends to make our phones even more productive. Tasks like editing a college paper or minimal photo editing could be done easily by properly using the cover display. Virtual meetings could also feel more personable with a person’s persona on the back of an unfolded cover display. This tech has so many uses, it feels like we’re only scratching the surface here.

Playing Simple Games

We love playing board game apps locally. You don’t have to worry about losing pieces; everyone already has a device.

But it can be hard to be discreet while you’re playing. For example, playing a board game on a shared tablet can expose your hand. Playing locally on separate devices is somewhat ideal. But your hand may be easily visible on your device’s large, bright screen.

A cover display solves this problem. We want the option to play your turn, then close the phone to hide your hand. You could watch the game in real-time from the cover display sans your hand. For turn-based strategy games like Unciv, this would allow you to strategize between turns.

Larger Cover Displays Can Add Versatility to Foldable Devices

A larger cover display screen means more interactivity, features, and new, unique ways to use our devices. It’s a breath of fresh air for a mobile market that has otherwise been stuffy and "ho-hum" for several years.

We look forward to seeing how larger cover displays potentially add entertainment and productivity value to the on-the-go powerhouses we still, for some reason, refer to as phones.