Flip (form)

Clamshell is a commonly used term for mobile phones, where the display, similar to a notebook, is onto the keyboard. With this design ( clamshell, Eng. Conch shell for ) a relatively large display can be accommodated very space-saving. Modern instruments usually have a second external display, which informs the user about the most important information, such as incoming calls and SMS or remaining battery power. As a further advantage of the clamshell phone the excellent protection of the display, the security against accidental pressing of the keys and the simple answer be given by opening the phone. A disadvantage of the design, however, is that folding phones are often thicker than traditional " bar mobile phones ".

Mobile phones with folding screen were introduced by Motorola mid-1990s with the device StarTAC in the market. But first models could not prevail, because of the initially not very reliable electrical connection between the body and flap. In Japan, however, the design with folding screen came later on widespread acceptance, especially for there very popular mobile data service i-mode.

Considering only phones with classical key operation, folding phones dominate in Asia and USA Today the market. In Europe, however, most mobile phones ( " ' Slider ' " ) are sold with key operation in the so-called bar format, are still available here if clamshell models in addition to a third design, the slider phone. All of these classic designs but are beset by mobile phones with a touch screen, which have the smallest footprint, because here the display at the same time the control panel is (as of 2012).

• Mobile phone