Apple's foldable future: Patent hints at crease-free displays

Image: Patently Apple

Apple may be closer to launching a foldable iPhone or iPad thanks to a new patent for crease-resistant displays. The patent, discovered by Patently Apple, details a process for thinning the folding area through chemical treatments and potentially using different materials to maintain a smooth surface.

Industry insiders in Korea suggest a 2026 launch is more likely, contradicting analyst Ming-Chi Kuo's prediction of a 20.3-inch foldable MacBook in 2027.

The patent describes how grooves in the display caused by folding could be addressed with a special transparent cover layer. This layer would overlap the bendable area and incorporate an elongated groove itself, running parallel to the folding mechanism.

To further reinforce the thinned area, the patent proposes a liquid polymer applied to the groove, solidifying with UV light, heat, or other methods. 

The patent even suggests that the entire glass composition might be altered, potentially replacing sodium with potassium for a more scratch-resistant surface.

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