With smartphones becoming increasingly powerful and potent, it is becoming convenient to get work done on-the-go and be productive with tasks that can be completed using these phones. But one aspect that proves to be a deterrent when working with a handheld device is the screen size. While users aren’t expected to run full-blown desktop apps off their phones, tasks like document editing or image/video editing can always benefit from larger screens. Samsung and LG are aiming to combat this very issue, as they are reportedly working on building portable displays for smartphones.
The idea isn’t unheard of, since HP and ASUS offer such external displays in the form of the HP EliteDisplay S14 and the ASUS ZenScreen Touch, for laptops. The ZenScreen Touch also supports some Android devices, which is what the portable monitors from Samsung and LG are reportedly aiming to do.
However, with the introduction of Desktop Mode in Android 10 and features such as Samsung DeX, user experience on larger devices is vastly improving. The portable displays are reportedly lightweight in design and come with the option of wired or Bluetooth connectivity, providing ease of use. They will also contain built-in batteries, unlike the offerings from HP and ASUS that require external power through the laptops.
Samsung’s version of the device is expected to be called the “DexBook”. It will supposedly come with a 10,000mAh battery and weigh well under one kilogram (2.2 pounds). LG’s offering will mostly be called the ‘Cloud Top’, sporting a 5.000mAh battery, which in turn brings down the weight further below to just 600 grams (1.1 pounds). Both the displays are expected to come with 14.1-inch FullHD resolution panels. The devices are expected to be priced between $340 and $420, which is on the expensive side, if true. The report suggests that they will be launched sometime in the second quarter of this year.
It will be interesting to see what demographic of users the companies target with these products. While the ones from HP and ASUS touted productivity and multi-tasking advantages, these devices will have to justify their prices and use cases strongly.
Source: ETNews via XDADevelopers
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