Apple seems to be quite interested in a device with a roll-up screen panel – although not as innovative as the previous active-retracting screen technology. However, with other previous Apple related patents on flexible panels, and even the recent news that Apple’s first folding screen device may be a MacBook. Perhaps in the future, there is also a chance to see iPhone/iPad or even Mac or Apple introduce panel technology that can be rolled up and stored like a scroll for specialized TV/stand-alone display related products. Continue reading An iPhone with a foldable panel? The new patent shows the content of the report on the re-innovation direction of Apple’s ecosystem.
▲ Source of this picture: USPTO
An iPhone with a foldable panel?New patent shows the direction of Apple’s ecosystem re-innovation
Just seeing Apple products like Vision Pro, it was officially launched after many rumors and the outflow of related patents (in fact, it was the same rhythm before the launch of Apple Watch…). It can already be known that even though we have seen patents related to folding screens before, there may still be a considerable distance from Apple actually producing related products. However, this does not mean that we have no way to guess where Apple’s latest product technology development focus.
And with more and more patent stacks, it seems that we feel that Apple’s development of flexible panel screens seems to be more serious than imagined.
This was applied for at the end of last year, but the patent information could not be found on the special website until recently. It can be said that Apple does have a considerable degree of interest in the development of flexible panels. Unlike before, the emergency response mechanism that can automatically retract the display. As well as related patents for additional display areas like dynamic islands that can be provided for folded screen dislocation earlier.
According to information dug up by foreign media, Apple seems to have a strong interest in devices with rollable screen panels. Related patents on screens that can be rolled up for storage or viewed from a scroll can already be found on public websites. The patent also mentions details including a transparent protective layer that may contain glass materials, and the rollable construction mechanism can also provide details such as supporting stress to avoid damage during the rolling process.
▲Image source: TCL
In short, although there is no innovation like the previous active retracting screen technology. However, with other previous Apple related patents on flexible panels, and even the recent news that Apple’s first folding screen device may be a MacBook.
Perhaps in the future, there is also a chance to see iPhone/iPad or even Mac or Apple introduce panel technology that can be rolled up and stored like a scroll for specialized TV/stand-alone display related products. At that time, we should also be able to see that, like Vision Pro, new technologies will bring different man-machine operations and related interfaces from the past.
Brands such as LG and TCL have previously demonstrated the concept of rollable panel technology. It seems that the application direction of this kind of technology in the past is mainly to extend from the size of a general mobile phone screen to the screen size of a tablet computer, or to store it in a TV cabinet that can be completely rolled up. Judging from the dual-axis design in Apple’s current patent, maybe what they are after is a mobile device that can fully accommodate the screen panel? If Apple really “rolls up” the iPhone, what interesting features do you think they will come up with?
Further reading:
iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro front panel glass and protective stickers leaked?Comprehensive “landing on the island”, Pro has thinner borders
