TCL’s Triple Screen Prototype at CES 2020

The hype train for dual-screen devices is picking up pace and that’s great, but I think this trendy form factor is just the penultimate phone. Where the future of the smartphone lies are triple screen devices.

Some people may struggle to see the potential and functionality of dual screen devices yet alone a triple screen phone. In fact, I think some of the companies designing these devices don’t fully know the potential. They’re interested in getting their device out there first and making sure it looks the best. At this stage of development, functionality should be priority. The software of these devices is what will make or break their success. Microsoft, who’ve had this multiple screen vision since 2009, know the importance of having a versatile software experience for foldables. They’ve opted for Android over their own Windows on the Surface Duo and are close to releasing Windows 10X, a special version of Windows for larger foldables.

Microsoft Surface Duo coming Holiday 2020 (Source: Microsoft)

It isn’t until we see the software working in unison with the hardware for everyday usage, that we’ll understand the full scope of these devices. I don’t think we’ve seen enough of this yet for dual screen devices, but, thanks to sci-fi, we have a pretty good idea of what triple screen devices can offer us.

Westworld’s Delos Phone

Delos Phone/Tablet from “Westworld”

Westworld, a HBO TV series, is one of the most interesting takes on the what-if-robots-took-over cliché. Set in the near future and future past (The story’s arc begins around 2018 and is now set in 2052), it shows us an excellently crafted world where a theme park known as Westworld is inhabited by hyper-realistic androids. The wealthy can buy tickets to Westworld and play the main character of stories created by Delos, the company behind the theme park.

Three applications running at the same time. DelOS?

In the show, Delos workers use an unnamed triple screen device to do various tasks such as updating the androids , “hosts”,and performing surveillance on the theme park. The device can be used as a large, single screen phone and an even larger tablet. Imagine having an iPhone and an iPad in your pocket, in the palm of your hands, one device, one price, the best of both worlds. Imagine, if your phone, tablet and laptop were all merged in a scientific cauldron and POOF! Out comes a triple screen device. It’s not a phone, it’s not a tablet, it’s not a laptop. The device is its own thing, a new category. Please say you’re as excited about this as I am…

Can be used as a dual screen device…

…and a single screen phone!

Let’s Talk Aspect Ratios

An aspect ratio of a screen describes the proportional relationship between its width and its height. The most common aspect ratio since 2009, is 16:9. This ratio can be seen on your TV and dominated the smartphone market pre-notch era. Most video is also shot in a 16:9 aspect ratio. However, many companies have explored different ratios and how they influence productivity. Apple uses a 4:3 aspect ratio on iPads. Microsoft uses a 3:2 aspect ratio with the Surface range. Dell have started using a 16:10 aspect ratio on the XPS line. So, if this hypothetical triple screen device is to replace your phone, tablet and laptop, what’s the most suitable aspect ratio for each section of the device?

I started by dividing a 16:9 screen into three but found that would result in a very wide phone, while prioritising a full screen video experience with no black bars when in triple screen mode.

16:9 divided into three, results in a 27:16 aspect ratio for each screen

Next up, 4:3. Dividing a 4:3 aspect ratio into 3 would result in a very tall phone with the most intrusive black bars.

A 3:2 aspect ratio would result in a 20:10 phone screen which is close to what we have on the Galaxy S10 and iPhone 11 (19:9, 19.5:9). This ratio would have smaller black bars than 4:3 when viewing HD video. 3:2, in my experience, is the most productive ratio for tablet or laptop.

Lastly, to have a phone with a 19:9 aspect ratio, which seems to be the current standard for most smartphones these days, the resulting triple screen would have a ratio of 27:19. This would have larger black bars than 3:2 but a more familiar phone screen size. Taking the iPhone 11 for reference, you would basically have a 6.1-inch phone that folds out to a 10.2-inch tablet. Referencing the Galaxy Note 10+, you would have a 6.8-inch phone that folds out to an 11-inch tablet which is slightly smaller than a Surface Pro and the same size as the smaller iPad Pro.

A Phone, A Square, A Tablet

For the phone to tablet transition to be possible, two screens must close against each other like the Galaxy Fold while one screen must fold against the back of the middle screen. Basically, forming a Z fold. This will allow you to use one screen, two screens and three screens. For a 3:2 aspect ratio, when using just two screens the ratio would be 1:1, a square (great for Instagram I guess).

TCL’s Triple Fold Concept at CES 2020

Use Case Scenarios

Westworld does a great job showing you how a triple screen device could be useful for businesses and tech enthusiasts but what about everyday use? Here are some examples.

The Businesswoman/Businessman

Slack/Teams/Skype Web Browser Email

All opened at the same time, no switching apps or losing information. Make video calls on a larger screen and sign documents on the go.

The Commuter, The Tourist

Google Maps, Uber or Public Transport App, Spotify/ Website with tourism facts/Messaging App.

No clumsy multitasking. A digital tri-fold brochure or large map in your pocket.

The Student

Note Taking App, Lecture Notes, Google for research/Email.

One device, portable, light and no need for inadequate pull out desks in the lecture room.

The Journalist

Note Taking App, Voice Recording App, Checklist App.

Ultimate productivity. And with an attachable or wireless keyboard, write an article anywhere at any time.

The Influencer

Post to Twitter, Instagram and TikTok at the same time. It’s like a superpower!

The Gamer

XCloud and Discord. Watch your Twitch/Mixer stream and respond to chat.

The Average Joe/Jo

Netflix/Amazon Prime/HBO Max/Apple TV+/Disney+ (Am I forgetting any?) on a giant screen that folds into your pocket. Or watching Ricky Gervais’ Golden Globes speech on YouTube and tweeting about it AT THE SAME TIME.

Have I convinced you of the potential of triple screen devices? You may be thinking that a dual screen device can do a lot of what I mentioned above, but the point is that a triple screen device can be your phone, tablet and laptop for one price. Currently, we have the phone that can be a tablet (Galaxy Fold) and we have the tablet/laptop that can be your laptop/tablet (Surface Pro/iPad Pro/Surface Book). But we don’t have the one device that does it all and the fact that it’s technically possible even with the technology we have today, may be the most innovational and exciting advancement to happen to each device category ever. With a chip like Apple’s A12X Bionic, screen technology from Samsung and LG and a hybrid of Android and Windows, a usable triple screen device may not be so far out. Which company will get there first? I don’t care. Which company will do it the best? The company that makes the best, most fluid software experience combined with great reliable hardware.

To conclude, if the T.A.R.D.I.S was a phone, it would be a triple screen one; bigger — and cooler — on the inside.