hello. This is Technologytodaynow. I told you yesterday that Apple plans to release a foldable iPhone in 2026, and I would like to take a look at a patent related to this recently released.
Apple’s foldable iPhone display technology filed for patent
Improving the durability of foldable displays
On the 16th, Phone Arena reported that Apple recently registered a patent with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office named Electronic Devices with Durable Foldable Display. Apple’s patent suggests a way to improve the durability of foldable displays. This technique forms a groove in the glass layer that extends along the bent axis, allowing the glass layer to bend around the bent axis.
How to improve display durability
Apple will also reportedly make the glass thinner where the screen folds, and thicker elsewhere, to make the foldable display more durable. We are proposing to reinforce the corners and edges of the display cover layer so that the screen is not damaged when the device is dropped. However, it is not known whether this patent is a fold type or a flip type. However, the form factor is expected to be in the form of infolding.
Continued development of the foldable iPhone
In February, there were reports that Apple had stopped developing foldable phones because the durability of its displays had not been resolved, but it is still applying for various patents for foldable products and continuing to try to develop foldable technologies. Based on what we’ve seen so far, Apple hasn’t completely abandoned the idea of a foldable product.
Upcoming foldable products
In May last year, IT tipster Revegnus disclosed information on Apple’s future roadmap for new products, citing a report from Samsung Securities in Korea. According to the report, a foldable iPhone is expected to be released in 2026, and a foldable iPad with a 20-inch display in 2027. However, not all patents will result in a product launch and can be canceled during development. This is because foldable products have the disadvantage of being inconvenient to carry around, so it’s possible that Apple won’t be able to reduce the thickness and weight of foldable products as much as they’d like.
Foldable iPad and Foldable MacBook Launch Prospects
There’s also a lot of interest in a foldable iPad and a foldable MacBook, which were rumored to be coming before the iPhone. The current industry consensus is that Apple is developing foldable products for both the iPhone, iPad, and MacBook. Large-screen devices like iPads and MacBooks are more durable, portable, and less risky than iPhones, so these products can be released before iPhones.
As for the foldable MacBook, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo predicted in May that a foldable MacBook will be released in 2026, noting that the device will feature the powerful M5 chip. He expected two sizes, 20.3 inches and 18.8 inches, to be the size of a 14-15-inch laptop when folded, and an 18.8-inch model to be the size of a 13-14 inch laptop when folded.
So far, we have learned about the patent news of foldable iPhones and the prospects for the launch of foldable products. As I mentioned before, these products are expected to be released in 2026 or 2027, which is still a long way off, so the above is subject to change at any time. Therefore, those interested in Apple’s foldable products should keep an eye on related news.