Is there going to be a foldable iPhone? Apple has obtained a new patent
Apple recently filed a patent for a buttonless folding iPhone that may come into fruition quite soon, which follows Samsung's folding phone feature.
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Secrets are out of the bag from the Cupertino headquarters of Apple. The iPhone maker has just been granted a patent for what could turn out to be a folding iPhone in the very near future.
Details in Apple's patent file, under closer examination, show something never tried with an iPhone. First, the designs suggest that the iPhone will fold in half. Second, it also seems to be buttonless and touch-responsive on all surfaces. Imagine an iPhone with these newly patented features.
A folding iPhone with no buttons and a display on every surface
The physical side volume and standby buttons are gone
The patent issued February 14, 2023, contains 26 pages of revealing descriptions and black and white illustrations. It spells out how the folding iPhone surfaces could essentially be a continuous display touch control surface on the front, back, and sides that use a touch sensor controller, much like today's current iPhone front display.
Apple's patent says, "Portions of touch sensor layer and/or display layer may cover some or all the sidewalls of device. For example, a continuous display may be formed from display layers on walls.."
Slide your finger up and down the sides to adjust volume
Instead of physical buttons, one method being considered in the patent is to simply touch the side of the iPhone, moving your finger to adjust the volume higher and lower.
It mentions a variety of materials being used in tandem to make "elastomeric materials," which means that it can bend with these synthetic rubbery qualities, because the iPhone would need to fold with robustness.
With the "virtual shutter button," gaming is improved, and taking pictures is quicker.
It could be simpler to operate things like the camera shutter if touch surfaces on the device's sides and back are accessible. The shutter button might be reimagined and redefined in a way that makes it simple and quick to capture an important moment. Backside touch inputs could provide more intuitive control inputs for gamers using an iPhone in their hands.
Is a foldable iPad next?
Apple could choose to implement all, none, or some of the areas described in the patent. In the past, Apple has applied for a variety of patents with little to no intention of deploying them to the market. What filing a bunch of patents accomplishes is sending competitors into labs guessing what the Cupertino smartphone originator may do next.
Adding folding capabilities to iPhone and iPad would boost demand, shorten upgrade windows and potentially drive in customers from Samsung and similar device makers. Rumors continue from the most reliable predictions that 2024 might be the year we see a folding iPad introduced by Apple.
Would you buy a folding iPhone or iPad? Let us know. We always like to hear from you.
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