Chinese smartphone company Infinix has unveiled a concept for a tri-fold phone that packs down to the size of a credit card and can be used as a clip-on camera.
Displayed as a prototype at this year’s Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona, the Zero Series Mini Tri-Fold phone bends vertically along two hinges, spaced out equally along the device to create three possible modes for its use.
Stretched out fully, it looks and functions as a conventional smartphone, while folded once it makes a mini dual-screen device that is practical to attach to gym equipment or a car dashboard.
Compacted down to its smallest size, it functions well as a camera and can be clipped onto a backpack strap for on-the-go recording.
“The Zero Series Mini Tri-Fold Concept Device seamlessly transforms between a smartphone, a hands-free fitness and entertainment companion, and a compact camera, unlocking new possibilities for mobility, creativity, and functionality,” said Infinix.
“This is not just another foldable; it is a bold reimagination of how technology enhances everyday life, evolving seamlessly between different forms.”
Infinix says that while foldable smartphones to date have simply expanded into a larger screen, its Mini Tri-Fold concept enables switching between multiple modes.
In its mid-sized mode, the company envisions it being attached securely using a strap accessory to gym equipment for workout tracking or viewing, or to bike handlebars or a car dashboard for navigation.
As this mode offers dual screens, Infinix also imagines users holding multilingual conversations where the text or video appears on one side and the translation on the other, or using the main camera for selfies and the second screen for framing – avoiding the usual problem of the selfie camera being less powerful.
Infinix is a subsidiary of the mobile phone company Transsion that is focused on the youth market, and the company said the Zero Series Mini Tri-Fold would appeal to its target audience.
“As the demand for foldable technology evolves, young consumers are seeking more than just larger screens; they want devices that seamlessly integrate into their lifestyles, replacing multiple gadgets with a single, adaptable solution,” said Infinix.
“The Zero Series Mini Tri-Fold offers a visionary glimpse into the future — where innovation, practicality and aesthetics come together in one groundbreaking device.”
The Zero Series Mini Tri-Fold was one of several concepts the company showed at MWC 2025, including a smartphone with solar panels on the back that make use of ambient light to recharge and one with a colour-changing back plate that can shift based on factors like the user’s mood or surroundings.
Lenovo also unveiled a solar-powered concept device at the event, a laptop, suggesting that a world where ambient light provides supplementary power for personal gadgets is on the horizon.
Huawei already makes a triple-folding phone but its version folds out to become the size of a tablet.
The 2025 Mobile World Congress takes place from 3 to 6 March in Barcelona, Spain. See Dezeen Events Guide for an up-to-date list of architecture and design events taking place around the world.
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