On April Fools’ Day, smartphone makers joined the fun in their own ways. OPPO unveiled a quirky ”smart” umbrella running Android with a 4K display, while Honor stepped up with a tongue-in-cheek release of the ”Magic VVVVVVVVV”-a foldable device that parodies the race for ever-larger foldable screens but might accidentally point to a genuinely intriguing idea.
Honor’s April 1 post teased the ”Magic VVVVVVVVV,” or possibly ”Magic VVVVVVVVVV,” claiming it would surpass competitors like Huawei’s Mate X and Samsung’s Galaxy Z TriFold. The tagline? ”The first smartphone that turns into a TV,” courtesy of multiple folds packing a giant screen into a pocketable gadget.
Unlike the double-fold designs Huawei and Samsung offer, Honor’s spoof boasts up to seven folds, dramatically expanding screen size. One render even makes the device so thick it rivals the scrapped Energizer phone known for its 18,000mAh battery bulk.
Of course, this is a clear April Fools’ prank-the absurdly long name, fictional launch date (April 31), and sketchy visuals give it away. The renders conflict, showing the device folding three times in one image and seven times in another-with no visible hinges for the latter.
Still, there’s a kernel of truth behind the humor. While a phone with seven folds would be impractical and fragile, the idea of multi-hinged foldables pushing screen sizes closer to tablets (or even TVs) isn’t far-fetched. With the right foldable technology, software optimization, and accessories like keyboards, such a device could potentially replace a laptop for certain users.
Honor’s jest coincides with Samsung’s official halt of the Galaxy Z TriFold, a rare triple-fold smartphone. Industry watchers had expected other manufacturers, including Honor, to explore double-fold devices, but real models remain scarce.
Looking ahead, foldable phone design is still in its experimental phase. While ultra-multi-fold devices like the ”Magic VVVVVVVVV” won’t become reality soon, the search continues for the sweet spot between portability and large screen real estate-whether that means refining dual folds or pushing the envelope with extra hinges.