# Retractable Touchscreen Ringers The HTC Flex Smartphone Sports an Expanding Display By Amelia Roblin | Published 2011-08-02 | Tech Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/htc-flex-smartphone References: [ubergizmo](http://www.ubergizmo.com/2011/07/htc-flex-smartphone-concept/) & [coroflot](http://www.coroflot.com/ktdnum1/HTC-Flex) It's amazing how many functions can be crammed into one tiny handheld device, but then it's a shame how little you can do with such a small display. The [HTC](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/confidentiality-hightech-smartphone) [Flex](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/Wireless-PC-cooling-fans) smartphone tackles this problem by providing you with a built-in slide-out screen that adds no extra bulk to the super slim gadget. Not simply suggesting the addition of an expandable visual display, this concept by Kareem Pownall integrates touchscreen technology as the means to interact with the transparent membrane. For watching movies, looking at photos and carrying on video calls, this futuristic feature greatly enhances the capabilities and one's expectations of a cellphone. And as if that wasn't enough, the HTC Flex smartphone is already equipped with [two fixed elongated screens](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/huawei-mate-x7). ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 6.5/10 - Popularity: 91% | Activity: 97% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech) > [Gadgets](https://www.trendhunter.com/gadgets) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Expandable Touchscreens:** The integration of touchable retractable displays to improve user experience and enhance smartphone capabilities. - **Transparent Membrane Technology:** The use of transparent membrane technology to revolutionize smartphone design and function. - **Slim Smartphone Design:** The potential for smartphones to become even thinner and more versatile with the integration of retractable touchscreens. ### Who This Affects Most - **Smartphones:** Smartphone manufacturers can explore the new design concept of retractable touchscreens and transparent membrane technology to offer customers advanced devices. - **Consumer Electronics:** Consumer electronics companies can benefit from the emerging trend of expandable touchscreens to create innovative and versatile products. - **Mobile Displays:** The mobile display industry can expand its offerings by exploring the potential for transparent membrane technology and slim design in their products. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Innovative Size-Changing Phones](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/motorola-rizr.md) - [Flexible Folding Concept Phone](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/flex-in-out-flip.md) - [Folding Multi-Display Smartphones](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tecno-phantom-vision-v.md) - [Expanding Rollable Display Smartphones](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lg-rollable.md) - [Futuristic Rollable Smartphones](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/phantom-ultimate.md) - [Dual-Direction Folding Smartphones](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tcl-ultra-flex.md) - [Malleable Wearable Smartphones](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/motorola-adaptive-display-concept.md) - [Transforming Tablet Smartphones](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/samsung-galaxy-fold-mini-concept.md) - [Transforming Smart Display Concepts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/concept-display.md)