Coolpad Launches Passport-Sized Wide Screen Smartphone in China

Smartphone maker Coolpad has opened pre-orders in China for its new Coolpad Cool X Wide, a device built with a passport-like wide screen design.

Pricing and Models

The phone comes in three variants on JD.com. The base model with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage costs 999 yuan. The 8GB RAM and 256GB storage model is priced at 1,199 yuan. The top model offers 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage for 1,399 yuan. Customer deliveries are scheduled to begin on November 8, though Coolpad has not announced any plans to launch the device in India or other global markets yet.

Hardware and Features

The device features a 6.38-inch display with a 16:10 aspect ratio and a 90Hz refresh rate. It measures 150.3 by 94.5 by 8.95 millimeters, making it wider and shorter than standard smartphones. Performance is driven by a MediaTek Helio G99 processor paired with LPDDR4X RAM and UFS 2.2 storage, alongside support for a TF card to expand storage by up to 256GB. However, the processor only supports 4G networks and lacks 5G connectivity.

Camera and Battery

For photography, the phone includes a 50-megapixel main camera and is powered by a 4,600mAh battery. The company has not yet revealed full details regarding the front camera or the charging speed. This launch follows a similar wide-screen form factor previously explored by Huawei with its Pura X View model.

Context

Most modern smartphones use tall, narrow aspect ratios optimized for vertical scrolling and one-handed thumb use. Wide aspect ratios resemble small tablets or reading devices, making them better suited for horizontal media viewing and document reading. Companies occasionally test alternative form factors to stand out in crowded consumer electronics markets.