Apple seems to be moving in the development of a foldable iPhone, according to new rumors. Apparently, the company asked Foxconn, the largest iPhone supplier, to create two prototypes of foldable display cases.
As reported by Tom’s guide Sunday, citing the Taiwanese site United Daily NewsApple’s two prototypes reflect two very different approaches to foldable phones in the industry. Tom’s guide states that one of the models is similar to Samsung Galaxy Z Flip, remember, has a flexible screen with folds in the middle and can be folded. The other is closer to Surface Duo from Microsoft, output notes, a two-screen device that looks like a book and is held together by a hinge.
It’s unclear whether Apple is working on two separate foldable phones or testing various ideas for the final new iPhone, according to Tom’s Guide.
Add this to a recent patent application issued Thursday by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office – which was filed in April last year – and you can’t help but be extraordinarily curious about what Apple is doing in this area. The application, entitled “Foldable electronic devices with low hinges”, describes a device that can be folded inside and out.
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“An electronic device has a foldable display. The first and second portions of the electronic device housing for the device can be joined using a hinge. A flexible display can overlap the first housing portion and the second housing portion and can bend along a bending axis as the first and second housing portions are rotated relative to each other using the hinge, ”reads summary.
However, it is not the first Apple patent application that seems to be related to foldable phones and will probably not be the last. He also filed a patent application for self-healing display as well as one that allows two screens to work perfectly as one when they are close to each other.
Just because the company has filed patents and the rumor does not mean that any of the ideas or models are a closed deal. Some may never be done. Although we believe that Apple will eventually produce a foldable phone, it could end up being very different from anything we speculated when it finally arrives here. However, it never hurts to imagine the possibilities.
[Tom’s Guide]