In a groundbreaking move, Apple recently received a patent that could pave the way for a foldable iPhone or iPad in the not-too-distant future.
A patent announced by Patently Apple focuses on an innovative technology designed to prevent displays from creasing, which could revolutionize the technology industry.
According to reliable sources, Apple’s approach involves chemically thinning the display in the folding area, coupled with the use of different materials to maintain a smoothly smooth surface.
Insiders at the Korean tech hub have suggested a 2026 launch is a plausible timeline, contradicting previous speculation by Ming-Chi Kuo, who suggested a foldable 20.3” MacBook in 2027.
A key feature highlighted in Apple’s patent is the incorporation of grooves into the display area, which is handled by a transparent cover layer covering the display panel.
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The layer includes an elongated groove or recess running parallel to the axis of the bend, reinforcing the locally thinned portion with the polymer.
This liquid polymer is deposited in a groove, originating from a thinned area, and then cured by UV light, heat, catalyst and other cutting-edge techniques.
Interestingly, the patent suggests a potential redesign of the glass composition, replacing sodium with potassium on the surface.
This change is believed to induce compressive stress in the treated surface layers, increasing the glass’s ability to resist scratching and wear damage.
Apple’s foray into foldable devices, as this patent suggests, marks a giant leap toward redefining the boundaries of technological innovation.
