Foldable phones are becoming a trendy way for device makers to fit a big screen into a smaller footprint. And while TCL is working on its own foldable prototype, a new leak shows that the company has another idea in the works.

Renders have leaked that show a TCL prototype device with a slide-out display. The images shared by CNET reveal a device sort of like a dining room table with a leaf that you can use to seat more people: the phone extends in the middle to give you more screen space.

What these images don't show is exactly how TCL makes this concept work. It's suggested that the display is flexible and that one part of it bends or wraps behind the other.

The renders also depict this device with a pill-shaped hole-punch that appears to have two selfie cameras. Around back there looks to be a quad camera setup with flash. Also of note is that the main display is curved on both sides.

It's reported that TCL was planning to show this concept device at MWC 2020. However, that show has been canceled over concerns about the coronavirus, so it's unclear when we might get our first official glimpse at the phone.

Since it's a concept phone, this device doesn't have an expected launch date or price.

This TCL device is an interesting alternative to the foldable phones that we've seen launch recently. Since it doesn't fold, you presumably wouldn't have to deal with a crease in the middle of your screen, but you'd still get the foldable phone benefit of having a bigger screen when you need it and a smaller screen when you don't.

We're looking forward to finding out exactly how TCL makes this slide-out screen work, so hopefully the company will officially show its concept soon.