Apple is getting closer to unveiling a foldable iPhone or iPad, as indicated by their latest patent approval. The new patent, “Electronic Devices With Durable Folding Displays,” highlights Apple’s focus on overcoming one of the biggest challenges with foldable devices: making the glass durable enough to withstand regular folding and unfolding.
Rumors about Apple working on foldable devices have been There was one questionable claim that Apple had given up on the idea, but most signs point to the opposite.
Some reports even suggest that Apple is developing two different foldable models. With countless patent applications related to foldable tech, it’s clear that Apple is investing significant effort into this area.
The newly granted patent is exciting because it addresses the durability of folding glass displays. This patent doesn’t lay out the entire blueprint for a foldable iPhone or iPad, but it focuses on a critical piece of the puzzle: how to make the glass flexible without compromising its strength.
Apple’s approach involves creating a recess in the glass layer along the bend axis. This recess forms a locally thinned glass portion that can bend more easily. Think of it as having a thinner section of glass where the fold happens, making the whole thing more flexible. This idea could mean having two regular displays on either side of a hinge, but with the critical folding, points are made thinner to allow for smooth bending.
Most patents tend to zero in on one primary innovation, but Apple’s patent emphasizes two main themes. First, the glass is thinned at the folding points. Second, the glass is reinforced in other areas to remain durable.
The patent suggests that the corners and edges of the display cover should be thicker to make it more resistant to impact, especially during drops. This means that while the center part of the glass where the fold occurs would be thinner, the edges and corners would be beefed up to handle impacts better.
This dual approach of making the glass thinner where it needs to bend and thicker where it needs to be intense shows that Apple is thinking practically about how people use their devices. They are anticipating the wear and tear of folding screens and are looking for ways to make their devices more robust.
It’s worth noting that Apple files thousands of patents every year. Just because a patent is granted doesn’t mean a product will be made using that technology. However, the specific focus of this patent on foldable display durability strongly suggests that Apple is serious about exploring this technology.
