From Samsung ’s Galaxy Fold to Huawei ’s Mate X, several tech giants have unveiled foldable phones this year.
Now, a new patent indicates that Apple could soon throw its own foldable iPhone into the mix.
A patent spotted by Patently Apple details a smartphone that can be folded not just one, but two times.
Patently Apple explained: “The flexible cover layer may be formed from a ceramic material (e.g., glass, strengthened glass, sapphire, zirconia) to provide some measure of protection for the flexible display from impact or other potential damaging contact.
“The flexible cover layer may also provide structural support for the display along both the folded and non-folded regions of the device.”
While Apple is remaining tight-lipped about the foldable phone, this isn’t the first time it has filed a patent indicating that such a device could be on its way.
In March 2018, Apple was awarded a patent for a flexible battery, while in October 2018, a patent was discovered for a magnetic latch that would keep foldable phones closed without any physical mechanism.
Samsung and Huawei have both unveiled foldable smartphones this year, but neither has gone without a hitch.
Samsung was forced to delay the rollout of its Galaxy Fold smartphones, after several journalists discovered screen issues while reviewing the devices.
And while Huawei was originally expected to launch its Mate X in the ‘middle of 2019’, this is likely to be delayed, following the news that Google has pulled Android support for Huwaei phones.
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