Lenovo's Foldable OLED Laptop at MWC 2025: Innovative but Flawed

2025-03-03

At the 2025 Mobile World Congress (MWC), Lenovo unveiled several cutting-edge innovations, pushing the boundaries of what laptops can do. One of the standout products was the ThinkBook “Codename Flip” AI PC Concept, a foldable OLED laptop with some groundbreaking features, but also a few glaring flaws. While this device shows promise for revolutionizing the way we interact with computers, its current prototype raises questions about its practicality and durability.

A Peek at

Lenovo’s ThinkBook “Codename Flip” is a foldable OLED laptop designed to be used in five different modes: tablet mode, read mode, clamshell mode, share mode, and vertical mode. The concept allows the user to fold and unfold the laptop’s display in various orientations, providing greater flexibility for multitasking and presentation purposes. At its core, the device boasts a large, 18.1-inch flexible OLED screen that can be bent inward or outward to offer a dual-display-like experience.

However, despite the impressive tech specs, the device is far from perfect. The large OLED screen is highly reflective, making it nearly unusable in outdoor settings due to glaring light. Additionally, the thin and flexible screen is prone to scratches, particularly on the portions that aren’t protected when the display is folded back. With such concerns in mind, Lenovo’s Codename Flip seems best suited for enterprise environments where durability is less of an issue.

The Core Features and Drawbacks

The Lenovo ThinkBook “Codename Flip” has several innovative features that make it stand out in the crowded laptop market. The device comes with flagship specifications, including the latest Intel Core Ultra 200V or AMD Ryzen AI 300 Series processors and up to 32GB of LPDDR5x memory. It also includes a Smart ForcePad, an illuminated dashboard on the touchpad that can adapt to provide quick access to media controls and other toggles. These are useful touches that make the laptop more user-friendly, but they don’t solve the underlying issues that come with a foldable screen.

One of the biggest problems with the current prototype is the display itself. The 18.1-inch flexible OLED screen is visually stunning when unfolded, offering ample space for multitasking and entertainment. However, the screen is not as durable as it needs to be. The thin glass is susceptible to scratches, and the creases formed when the device is folded back are noticeable enough to affect the overall experience. The laptop also struggles with glare, making it challenging to use outdoors or in brightly lit environments.

Despite these issues, Lenovo’s Codename Flip holds promise as an enterprise device, where users can benefit from its larger screen size without worrying too much about portability. The laptop’s flexible design allows for efficient information visualization and easy presentation during meetings, but it may not be the best choice for personal use or for those who need a laptop that can withstand daily wear and tear.

What Undercode Says: An Analytical Perspective

The Lenovo ThinkBook “Codename Flip” is an example of a bold concept that might reshape the future of computing. However, like many early-stage technologies, it shows the complexity of bringing an innovative design to market. The flexible OLED screen, while impressive in theory, presents significant usability and durability challenges in practice.

The idea of a foldable laptop is not new, but Lenovo’s attempt to create a versatile, multi-mode device is certainly ambitious. The foldable screen offers new possibilities for multitasking, making it easier to have dual windows side-by-side on a single display. This feature could be a game-changer for productivity, particularly in business settings where space and efficiency are critical. The added flexibility of switching between tablet, clamshell, and other modes could make it a versatile tool for presentations, creative work, or even casual entertainment.

However, these benefits come at a cost. The thin and flexible OLED screen, while offering great visual potential, is prone to significant glare and scratching. These issues are exacerbated by the device’s large size, which makes it harder to protect the display when it’s in use. While Lenovo touts the laptop’s potential for enterprise environments, its fragility and lack of outdoor usability make it less suitable for personal use.

Moreover, the laptop’s current prototype is clearly a work-in-progress. The design is intriguing, but Lenovo’s decision to showcase it so early indicates that the company is still exploring its viability in the consumer market. For all its impressive features, the ThinkBook “Codename Flip” feels like a concept that is years away from becoming a mainstream product.

In terms of enterprise use, the foldable screen could find a place in environments where presentation and multitasking are prioritized. The larger-than-average display can be especially useful for visualizing data, managing workflows, or holding collaborative meetings. But the durability concerns, especially with the susceptibility to scratches and glare, make it unlikely to be a good fit for mobile professionals who need a laptop that can withstand daily use in various conditions.

Fact Checker Results

Screen Durability: The foldable OLED display is prone to scratches and glare, making it less suitable for daily, outdoor use.
Target Audience: Best suited for enterprise users who prioritize larger displays for presentations and multitasking rather than casual or personal use.
Overall Viability: The ThinkBook “Codename Flip” remains a concept for now, with potential but significant flaws that need to be addressed before it can become a market-ready product.

References:

Reported By: https://www.zdnet.com/article/i-tried-lenovos-foldable-oled-laptop-at-mwc-and-its-got-some-glaring-issues/
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