Your next iPhone could be FOLDABLE: Apple may release a smartphone that opens to a larger screen

Apple has long been rumored to release a foldable iPhone but has delayed production due to woes that plague other models – like cracking and sacrificed quality.

The hesitation may have been tossed to the wind, as a new patent awarded to the tech giant suggests it has a folding device in the making that would let users interact with multiple parts of the smartphone to perform different tasks.

Virtual buttons would be placed on the sides of the device, allowing users to control the camera, volume, screen brightness and other options.

Apple does provide a solution to prevent cracking – ‘stress-tolerant features such layers of polymer applied as a coating on bedding regions.

The foldable iPhone has yet to be seen, but it would let Apple compete with the likes of Samsung, which is currently battling claims that screens on the Galaxy Z Fold 3 are cracking ‘for no reason.’

Apple was awarded a patent for a foldable device. This suggests the company could release a foldable iPhone in the future

Apple was awarded the patent on Tuesday, describing a device that may have a front wall, opposing rear wall, and curved sidewalls.

The front wall may be made of glass, which Apple started using with the iPhone 12 line. 

‘A foldable electronic device may have a flexible transparent wall portion that joins planar transparent walls,’ reads the patent.

‘Components may be interposed between the transparent planar walls and opaque walls. 

‘Display and touch layers may be overlapped by the transparent walls and the transparent flexible wall portion. 

‘Touch sensor structures may also be overlapped by the opaque walls.’

The smartphone could also be designed to have a flexible transparent wall portion that joins planar transparent walls.

‘Components may be interposed between the transparent planar walls and opaque walls,’ the patent states.

The patent images suggest the phone would open vertically to provide a more extended screen, compared to other models that open horizontally to form a tablet-like device

The iPhone would open in the same fashion it is made currently

The patent images suggest the phone would open vertically to provide a more extended screen, compared to other models that open horizontally to form a tablet-like device

Apple's patent comes around the same time Samsung is under fire for its Galaxy Z Fold 3, which is cracking for some users. A Reddit user shared their damaged phone on the site (pictured)

Apple’s patent comes around the same time Samsung is under fire for its Galaxy Z Fold 3, which is cracking for some users. A Reddit user shared their damaged phone on the site (pictured)

‘Display and touch layers may be overlapped by the transparent walls and the transparent flexible wall portion. 

‘Additional touch layers may be overlapped by the opaque walls.’

Apple is also suggesting adding hinge regions throughout the area where the smartphone bends, which would be designed with flexible layers of material, such as plastic or metal.

The patent images suggest the phone would open vertically to provide a more extended screen, compared to other models that open horizontally to form a tablet-like device. 

Apple’s patent comes around the same time Samsung is under fire for its Galaxy Z Fold 3, which is cracking for some users.

According to Sam News, damages impact the middle of the display where the phone bends to open and close.

The smartphone launched in 2021, which means the warranty for the models has since run out – forcing users to fit the bill to get the issue fixed.

A Reddit user shared their damaged phone on the site.

’15 months in, opened the screen to show a friend who was interested and heard a cracking sound as it was nearly fully opened run along the center fold. (Phone was not dropped),’ the user shared.

‘The right-hand screen no longer responds to any input, the left-hand does.’

Another Redditor posted: ‘ook my phone off the wireless charger, unfolded, and it split right down the middle. 

‘The things 3 months old and never been dropped. Took it to Samsung who agreed there was no physical damage and they’d send it off for warranty repair, but now the repairer is saying they’ve found an impact point and dead pixels so I’m to pay $700 for a repair?’

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