Latest Motorola Rizr rollable phone patent highlights new security tricks

Motorola Rizr foldable phone concept
(Image credit: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)

What you need to know

  • A report highlights Motorola's updated patent for its rollable phone concept, Rizr.
  • The U.S. patent shows Motorola's plans to incorporate additional fingerprint-on-display (FOD) sensors on the "front" and "back" of the device.
  • Motorola showcased the Rizr during MWC 2023, showcasing its default 5-inch display and fully extended 6.5-inch screen when rolled out.

Motorola has had a rollable phone concept stewing for a while and a newly published patent details some additions.

MySmartPrice spotted an updated patent for the company's rollable phone concept, the "Motorola Rizr." The patent details a device with multiple fingerprint-reading sensors in the USPTO database listing. According to the abstract, Motorola states the device in question "provides a predictable external fingerprint area on a 'rollable display device' for fingerprint authentication."

The company adds, "this is available at least in both a fully retracted position and fully extended position."

U.S. patents published on November 5 show at least two positions users could utilize on this rollable phone. The first fingerprint-on-display (FOD) sensor is on the "front" of the phone in its retracted state. Motorola's patent states a user would find this sensor centered near the bottom of the device.

The second is featured on the back of the phone. At the very least, such a design would give some additional purpose to the "backside" of the display when it's in a compact state.

An updated Motorola Rizr patent highlighting its double fingerprint-on-display (FOD) sensors.

(Image credit: MySmartPrice)

The publication dove into the patent further, but couldn't find any additional changes/updates. The post states the device's concept retains its 6.5-inch display when fully rolled out (5 inches when retracted).

Motorola showed off its rollable phone during MWC 2023. During the event, users quickly discovered a hidden front-facing camera and speaker. The device offers a 5-inch display by default, but this display rolls back even further automatically when taking a selfie or on a call. Moreover, additional insight by Android Central during a visit to Motorola's HQ in Chicago showed that shifting its orientation (from portrait to landscape) during a video would see it extend on its own.

While it's a cool concept, the durability of such a device was called forward. The display isn't flush to the chassis and some parts seem far too exposed when fully rolled out. This is a concept, meaning things can always change — or it could never see a store shelf.

However, there's no hiding that OEMs are consistently seeking the "next big thing," like a rollable phone. Motorola has the Rizr still in its concept era and the OPPO X 2021 took the spotlight in 2020. More importantly, Samsung was rumored to be more interested in a rollable phone after Huawei's Mate XT (tri-fold) debuted.

Nickolas Diaz
News Writer

Nickolas is always excited about tech and getting his hands on it. Writing for him can vary from delivering the latest tech story to scribbling in his journal. When Nickolas isn't hitting a story, he's often grinding away at a game or chilling with a book in his hand.