Last year, foldable phones appeared in the market after years of rumors and leaks. Two of the most popular were Samsung Galaxy Fold and Huawei Mate X. But what about Apple? The entire world has been wondering when we will finally see a foldable iPhone, and there are many rumors that Apple is working on flexible batteries which may be used in foldable iPhones and iPads.
The electronic device wherein the flexible battery is positioned along a periphery of the flexible display assembly and the flexible display assembly is configured to transition from a flattened state to a rolled-up state”, Apple’s managers said. The US Patent and Trademark Office has recently awarded the “Foldable cover and display for an electronic device” patent to Apple. The patent suggests how the iPhone could be created with a flexible display and sensors, as well as a cover which lead the folding action at certain locations.
Apple's first foldable iPhone patent surfaced in 2016, but the new patent apparently changed the design. The new design will include flexible cover sheets and a flexible display layer could be made from ceramic material such as glass and metal oxide to create an impact or scratch-resistance surface. They both would be configured in order to be able to move between two different configurations when folded and unfolded.
It will also include transparent filler panels to provide extra strength in areas that remain solid and inflexible, while leaving gaps in designated areas, making the device able to fold. It could turn into a multi-fold design, which enables the device to be folded with two bends, a zig-zag fold like a brochure.
With foldable phones gradually coming onto the market, it feels like it's only a matter of time. Samsung Galaxy Fold 2 expected to launch in August, including major upgrades like a larger display inside and out with 120Hz refresh rates, a new camera, and an S-Pen stylus. Apple’s patent does not guarantee that the purposed device will appear in a future iPhone or iPad, it does indicate areas of interest for Apple’s research and development of new products. Fortunately, experts predict that we will see foldable iPhone the next year. There are some already confirmed features that the iPhone 12 will offer like 5G connectivity, a new rear LiDAR depth-sensing camera, a new time-of-flight sensor for augmented reality, 120Hz display, and other enhancements.
