Evidence that Apple is working on a folding iPhone or iPad continues to mount, and now the company has been granted a patent for addressing a specific issue with glass displays.
Despite one rather unreliable claim that Apple has abandoned plans for a folding iPhone, most rumors suggest that the device is nearly ready. One report claimed that Apple is currently working on two folding models, and there have been countless patent applications on this topic.
The latest approved patent is titled "Electronic Devices With Durable Folding Displays." While it's not a complete plan for a folding display, it covers a crucial aspect of how the two halves of a folding display can come together.
"A recess may be formed in the layer of glass that extends along the bend axis," says Apple. "The recess may form a flexible locally thinned portion in the layer of glass that allows the glass layer to bend about the bend axis."
Thus, Apple's idea is to have a glass display taper towards the center. It's possible that Apple is considering a foldable display made of two regular ones placed on either side of a hinge, but they would still benefit from being thinner at the critical point.
Interestingly, most patents tend to concentrate on one key point, even if they try to make it seem like their idea covers a wide range of future possible uses. There's an element of that here, but the patent has two key themes.
The first is making the glass thinner in the sections where it needs to bend or intersect. The second is making the glass thicker in other parts of the display.
"To ensure that the display cover layer exhibits satisfactory impact resistance during drop events," Apple continues, "corner portions of the display cover layer and other edge portions of the display cover layer may be provided with greater thickness relative to other portions of the display cover layer outside of the locally thinned portion."
An iPhone or iPad is likely to suffer the most damage if it is dropped so that a corner hits the ground. So, this might be a case of Apple anticipating future needs while addressing a current one.
It's important to note that Apple applies for thousands of patents every year. Even when one is granted, it does not mean that a product will definitely be made using it.
As Apple continues to make breakthroughs in folding screen technology, we may see a revolutionary folding iPhone in the future.