Toni Hobrecht
All current reports from market research companies show that the market for foldable smartphones will continue to grow strongly in the coming years. Several conclusions can be drawn from this statement. Firstly, the technology is already mature and can be used by various industries. Second, more and more smartphone manufacturers will introduce foldable phones. Thirdly, devices with this concept will become cheaper. And fourth, sooner or later we will see the first Apple iPhone Fold.
Obviously the Californian company never brings immature technology to the market. One problem is of course the durability of the foldable displays – both in terms of normal daily use and in terms of resistance to breakage in the event of a fall. A new patent now suggests that Apple has already solved the problem of the durability of smartphones with folding screens.
Apple iPhone Fold: Launch could be closer than expected
Not long ago, the US Trademark and Patent Office (USPTO) announced that Apple had received another patent for foldable displays. In the patent description, Apple addressed one of the biggest criticisms of a potential Apple iPhone Fold: that the crease between the two halves of the display cracks after a certain period of daily use. At the same time, this is one of the main points preventing consumers from buying a foldable.
In the patent, Apple outlines a new protective layer structure for foldable displays. This layer is intended to increase the durability of the panels. The patent talks about the display module and a new protective layer structure that can be used on a flexible, conformable or foldable display module and display panel. Apple also notes in the patent that glass breakage begins with the appearance of microcracks. A resilient coating could both fill and seal pre-existing micro-cracks and prevent new screen cracks at the same time.
It is not yet known which type of Apple iPhone Fold will hit the market first. Well-known analyst and Apple tipster Ming-Chi Kuo believes that Apple’s development department is more focused on an iPad Fold with a much larger foldable display at the moment. He also assumes that the device could set new price records.
