Smartphones have been tall and narrow for years, which is why a wide one stands out. Coolpad is reportedly readying a budget Android phone with a 16:10 wide-screen display, a shape closer to a small tablet or a compact e-reader than a typical slab. Gizmochina, which reported the phone on October 12, called it the world’s first wide-screen Android phone, but that label is the outlet’s own framing, not an official Coolpad claim.
What follows is what has been reported, what looks solid and what still needs a company announcement.
The Design: Wide, Short and Different
The phone is described with a 6.3-inch LCD at 720p resolution and a 16:10 aspect ratio. On the back it has a horizontal, pill-shaped camera module and a textured finish. Those details come from leaked hands-on footage, so Coolpad has not yet shown them officially. For background on the brand, see the Coolpad Wikipedia page, and follow our Coolpad page for updates.
Coolpad Wide-Screen Phone at a Glance
| Feature | Reported detail |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.3-inch LCD, 720p, 16:10 |
| Chipset | MediaTek Helio G99 (TSMC 6nm), from leaked footage |
| Rear camera | Horizontal pill-shaped module, textured back |
| Expected price | 999 yuan (about $150) in China |
| Expected timing | October 2026, China |
| Software | DroiClaw Zhuge 3 AI-native OS (expected) |
| Model name | Not given |
Performance and Software
The leaked footage points to the MediaTek Helio G99, a long-serving mid-range chip built on TSMC’s 6nm process. It is not a flagship, but it handles everyday apps, video and casual games well enough at this price.
The more unusual part is the software. The phone is expected to run DroiClaw Zhuge 3, an AI-native operating system from Shanghai Droi Technology. Claims about its Rust-based design and security have been made, but they need independent testing before anyone should rely on them.
How It Compares
Huawei’s Pura X View was unveiled in September 2026 from 5,999 yuan on HarmonyOS, so the wide format is not entirely new. The difference is the price tier: Coolpad is expected to aim at roughly 999 yuan, about a sixth of that cost. A wide form factor at budget pricing, if it arrives, would be the interesting story.
What Is Not Confirmed
Much of this phone’s story rests on reports and leaks. These points are not confirmed by Coolpad:
- The official model name and launch date.
- The 999 yuan price. It is expected, not announced.
- The “world’s first wide-screen Android phone” label, which is Gizmochina’s wording.
- The DroiClaw Zhuge 3 operating system on the retail unit, and its security claims.
- Any availability outside China, including India.
Why a Wide Phone Might Appeal
A 16:10 screen suits video, reading and split-screen apps better than a tall display, which can feel cramped in landscape. The trade-off is one-handed use: a wide phone may be harder to grip and pocket. Whether buyers want that compromise at 720p is something sales, not leaks, will answer.
Quick Answers
What is the screen size? 6.3-inch LCD at 720p, 16:10, per reports.
Which chip does it use? MediaTek Helio G99, according to leaked hands-on footage.
How much will it cost? About 999 yuan (around $150) is expected in China.
Is it coming to India? No announcement.
The wide format also raises practical questions about apps. Most Android software is designed for tall portrait screens, so how well social, video and banking apps scale to 16:10 will decide whether the idea feels natural or awkward in daily use. Developers have had years of practice with tablets and foldables, which helps, but a budget phone from a smaller brand may not get special optimisation. At 720p the panel will also look softer than the full-HD screens common above 15,000 rupees, a trade-off that buyers in the 999 yuan bracket usually accept. Until Coolpad shares official specifications, battery size, camera sensors and storage options remain unknown, and readers should wait for the company’s announcement before drawing conclusions.
