While we still don’t have a file release date iPhone Flip — or even confirmation that Apple’s foldable phone is in the works — we at least have further evidence that Apple is very interested in joining the growing market for foldable devices. The company just won some patents related to foldable devices.
This is a word from Obviously the apple (Opens in a new tab)And the which reported earlier this week that Apple had just obtained two patents focused on foldable devices, noting that both could apply to foldable iPhone and iPad devices.
The first patent (Opens in a new tab) It is an electronic device with a durable foldable screen, which can include sensors to recognize fingerprints and air gestures. The second patent is similar, but focuses on an electronic device with a foldable screen that has textured flexible areas. this is second patent (Opens in a new tab) It seems to focus more on screen quality as it allows the incorporation of glass and polymer to reduce reflections.
Patents do not necessarily mean product launches are imminent or even likely. But these patents give us a better look at what Apple thinks about future products, which could one day include something with a foldable screen.
iPhone Flip: What these patents could mean
It should be noted that there is no patent indicating that these two screens are for the phone. So these patents could cover the iPad Duo just as easily as the iPhone Flip. However, there have already been some indications that Apple is focusing on larger foldable screens, including 9 inch foldable iPhone.
Aside from patent filings, there have been plenty of rumors that Apple is eyeing the possibility of larger devices with foldable screens. Mac rumors (Opens in a new tab) It reported that Display Supply Chain Consultants analyst Ross Young believes Apple is working on a 20-inch foldable laptop. In the same article, Bloomberg’s Mark Gorman suggested that Apple is working on iPads with larger screens, which could indicate that this foldable laptop is actually a foldable iPad.
The inclusion of sensors ranging from fingerprint recognition to health sensors indicates that these latest patents were certainly created with smartphones in mind. While tablets like the iPad can certainly have these sensors as well, these are the features we’re looking for right now in the latest smartphones. Most likely, these patents will be involved in the creation of any foldable device produced by Apple.
iPhone Flip: When should we expect it
If the iPhone Flip is on, it may not arrive anytime soon. While Young said a foldable iPhone could come as early as next year, the general consensus is that the iPhone Flip will appear in 2024. Some analysts, such as Ming-Chi Kuo, expect a launch later in 2025.
Bottom line? Even with Apple obtaining patents for foldable devices, don’t expect the company to compete with The best foldable phones. Samsung continues to dominate this category, which is expected to introduce two new foldables – the Galaxy Z Fold 4 and Galaxy Z Flip 4 as soon as next month.
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