As Apple has launched the $999 iPhone X in bid to regain a market lead, collapsible phones made from graphene are on the way to enter the furious smartphone market.

The Chongqing Institute of Green and Intelligent Technology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Chongqing Institute of Graphene Co Ltd signed a contract for 10.75 million yuan ($1.65 million) on Sept 12, seeking graphene applications in the fields of digital smart devices, composite materials and biomedical treatments.

In addition to collapsible phones, other graphene products, like smart watches and carry-on transparent keyboards, were on display at the signing ceremony.

A staff member displays a collapsible phone made from graphene on Sept 12. [Photo/liangjiang.gov.cn]

Wang Wei, general manager of Chongqing Institute of Graphene Co Ltd, said, "Compared with common phones, graphene-based collapsible phones are easier to carry and are waterproof. The new phones have also the same functions as traditional smart phones."

Graphene smart watches have sensors to precisely detect the wearer's blood pressure, heart rate and electrocardiogram, as well as the altitude, temperature and air pressure of surrounding environment.

"The smart watch has entered the bulk-production stage and the price will be around 2,000 yuan," said Wang Wei. At present the company has received an order for 50,000 smart watches.

A man wears a graphene watch showing his heart rate on Sept 12. [Photo/liangjiang.gov.cn]

The 1-mm transparent graphene keyboard is both collapsible and waterproof, which can save space.

Wang introduced that the keyboard will not make noise when knocked on, and it has the three functions of type-in, mouse and handwriting.

New graphene products, such as environment friendly water based coatings and artificial skins, are expected to meet the public in next one or two years.

The 1-mm graphene keyboard is transparent, collapsible and waterproof. [Photo/liangjiang.gov.cn]

Edited by Zachary Dye