Apple has been working on folding devices for years, but nothing has been officially presented yet. However, a new patent filed by the Cupertino company today tells us a little more about its advances in the field. This document, published by the United States Patent and Trademark Office, describes aelectronic device with a foldable case.
As a reminder, several Apple competitors already market phones with folding screens, but these often have a visible fold when the smartphone is opened. The result not meeting Apple's expectations, the company and its partners are working hard to find a viable solution. The goal is to have a folding iPhone that you don't realize is foldable once unfolded.
An ingenious hinge to last over time
The patent describes aclever hingewhich allows the screen to fold without being damaged. When using the device normally, this hinge keeps the screen flat. But if you drop the device by accident, it allows a small bend to prevent the screen from breaking. Apple has also planned aclever spring systemso that everything goes smoothly when you open and close the device.
The foldable screen is made of several layers. There is a protective layer of glass and underneath, a soft screen. In the glass layer, there is a thinner part along the fold. This is what allows the glass to bend without breaking.
An extra glass for even more strength
Apple even adds a third layer of glass in its invention. It does not cover the thin part of the fold and is separated from the other two layers by a kind of plastic. His role?Reinforce the corners of the screenso that they are more resistant to shocks.
Moreover, the patent specifies that the edges and corners of the protective glass layer are thicker than the rest. This way, even if the device is dropped, it has a good chance of surviving without damage.
All these findings could well be used for Apple's future foldable devices. We are talking about a folding iPhone and a folding iPad for 2026. With this patent, we see that Apple is doing everything to createsturdy foldable screens, without compromising on image quality. Now all we have to do is wait and seewhen these new jewels will be revealed!
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By : Keleops AG
