Polymer Vision has unveiled the world’s first pocket size mobile phone with a screen that folds up when not in use.

The device, called Readius, combines a large 5-inch rollable display with 3G high speed connectivity to allow its users mobility and instant access to personalized news, blogs and email.

The exclusive Readius exploit the versatility of rollable displays to merge the ‘reading friendly’ strengths of ereaders with the ‘high mobility’ features of mobile phones. With a display larger than the device itself, and designed around ‘ease of use’ and mobility, Readius® is optimised for reading for 30 hours without battery charge.

The 3G HSDPA tri-band phone allows worldwide calls and high speed instant updates from personally selected news sources, special services and email. The Micro SD High Capacity storage ensures easy access to other favorite information and eBooks. Readius® also features phone as well as audio capabilities (such as MP3) for podcasts, audio books and music. [Polymer Vision]

Readius will compete head-to-head with Amazon’s ebook reader Kindle and Apple’s iPhone when it launches in mid-2008.