Apple has long been interested in foldable technology; the company recently received a number of patents on the topic. A foldable display that is supposed to be resistant to cracking is described in the most recent US Patent and Trademark Office patent. One of the main problems with foldable technology is its fragility; this might assist.
The patent with the serial number US-20230011092-A1 describes a display that is made up of various layers, including a flexible substrate, a thin-film transistor layer, and a protective layer. The protective layer’s main goal is to prevent display’s flexible substrate, which is most vulnerable to harm, from developing cracks.
In addition to receiving a patent for a crack-resistant display, Apple also received one for a self-healing display. The technology would allow the display to recover from minor scratches, which are another common issue with foldable devices.
Even while many experts believe a folding iPhone is implausible, there have been rumours about a future foldable iPad. As a result, Apple would have the ability to evaluate and enhance the technology before perhaps releasing a foldable iPhone. A foldable iPad would be less profitable for Apple because it is a lower-value product than the iPhone in its range.
Given the growing number of rivals entering the foldable market, notably Google with its imminent Pixel Fold, it is likely that Apple will launch a foldable smartphone shortly. This most recent patent as well as prior ones on self-healing displays will undoubtedly have a big impact on the design of Apple’s foldable smartphone, giving the flexible form factor more reliability and lifespan.
