A portable communication apparatus includes a main housing having at least a display section and an operation section and a movable housing that is engaged with the main housing slidably in a longitudinal direction between a retracted state and an extended state. The main housing and the movable housing are urged in an extension direction and are releasably locked in the retracted state. A portion of the display section is covered and protected by the movable housing when retracted. An optical aperture for optical function is provided in the main housing and its optical function is made operable when extended.