If you’re looking for the most bonkers – but also maybe the most impressive - new device on show over in Barcelona at MWC 2019, then look no further.
The Nubia Alpha is being billed as a “wearable smartphone” and it takes the folding phone trend, set by the likes of Samsung and Huawei in recent weeks, and runs with it.
A prototype of the Nubia Alpha was actually shown off back in September 2018 at IFA, in Berlin, although we’re informed that the model on show in Spain this week is the real deal; and that it will go on sale later this year.
The device boasts a flexible 4-inch, 960 x 192, OLED display, made up of 11 layers, which is capable of bending around the arm. Powering proceedings is a (pretty ancient now, in tech terms) Qualcomm Snapdragon 2100 chip, combined with 1GB of RAM, 8GB of internal storage and a 500mAH battery; and Nubia says you’ll get up to two days of battery life from the Alpha.
Bizarrely, the Alpha also packs in a 5-megapixel camera on the front, complete with a gesture control system, which lets you control the watch by swiping the air in front of it. Hmmmm. The Alpha is doubles (triples?) up as a fitness tracker as well, with activity tracking smarts built in.
There’s no word on a US price-point yet but the Chinese company behind the Alpha have stated it will costs €549 for a 4G eSIM model, or €449 for a Bluetooth-only version. There will also be, if you have more money than sense, an eSim model coated in 18-karat gold for €649
For the eSIM version – which will effectively let you share your phone number between your regular handset and this wearable – Nubia has worked with China Unicom. On the Bluetooth version you’ll still be able to make calls, send messages, use apps and the like – but you’ll need to be tethered to a handset with an active data connection.
