Apple Patent Design For Its Foldable Screen Smartphone

Apple at launch of iPhone 11 (Twitter @Apple)

JAKARTA - Since the beginning of 2019, Apple has planned to change the appearance of its smartphone design. The company from Cupertino, United States (US) also does not want to miss the trend of folding screen phones, which are being loved.

According to the MacRumors report quoted from CNET, Apple is indeed working on a folding screen smartphone project. Apple has reportedly succeeded in developing the latest hinge feature, so that it can overcome the problem of wrinkles or creases that appear on folding screen phones.

This is stated in a patent document owned by Apple with the title 'Electronic devices with flexible displays and hinges.' The document has been registered by Apple at the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) since several years ago, but was only published on February 4 yesterday.

Apple folding screen hinge mechanism design (MacRumors dock)

Based on a rough sketch, it shows Apple carrying two separate screens joined together in a single hinge mechanism. This design is certainly different from the folding screen products on the Samsung Galaxy Fold, Huawei Mate X or Motorola Razr which use one flexible screen so that it can be folded.

With this hinge hinge component, the two screen panels can be fully connected when stretched. This hinge mechanism also allows for adequate wiggle room between screen folds, when the components of the phone are closed.

Unfortunately, Apple has not fully disclosed this patent mechanism will be used for iPhone or iPad devices. Rumor has it, if this hinge mechanism will be used by Apple for its iPad products in 2021.

"Apple always makes surprises that are rarely known to people, so you never know if the company will launch a foldable cellphone soon. Because they are always working behind the scenes," said Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak in an interview to Bloomberg.

Indeed, Apple is quite diligent in making concept designs for its new devices. Likewise with a folding screen smartphone, both the specifications and appearance of the prototype have not been shown.

Even so, this folding cellphone technology has already been made by FlexPai from China. Then followed by Samsung with the Galaxy Fold and Z Flip, Motorola Razr, and Huawei Mate X which will soon be officially sold on the market.

So, when did this company from Cupertino, USA, dare to show off the original design of its folding cellphone? Unfortunately there is no definite answer. We'll just wait for the development.