A few months earlier, Apple was facing ‘Bendgate’ issue, but a new patent shows that the company actually has plans of devices with flexible displays. A report from Apple Insider informs that on Tuesday, a patent was awarded to the Cupertino-based company for ‘Flexible electronic devices.’ This patent was filed in September 2011.
Apple explains ‘Flexible electronic devices’
Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) has plans of introducing phones with flexible displays that can be folded into smaller devices making them easily portable. The displays in such devices will not break as they will be resistant to pressure.
In its patent application, Apple wrote, “Flexible electronic devices may be more resistant to damage during impact events such as drops because the flexible device may bend or deform while absorbing the impact.”
Such flexible iPhone would have components that are stable in nature. Hence, it will be possible for users to bend their devices in a certain direction. Existing iPhones and other phones have a candy bar format, but the flexible ones would be capable of getting a different shape after transformation. In the patent, Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) discusses how such a device could be built, and also how to interact with a flexible iPhone in new and different ways.
Similar devices from rivals
Devices from Apple competitors are already there in the market with curved displays. Samsung Galaxy Round and Samsung Galaxy Note Edge are two such devices from Samsung while LG G Flex and the LG G Flex 2 are devices from LG.
No iPhone with flexible display or chassis has been introduced by Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) for now, but it seems like it has been considering making such devices since long, and has put plenty of thought into it as indicated by the patent. Numerous aspects such device is mentioned in the patent such as type of display, circuit boards, sensors, motors, speakers, batteries, materials etc.
Flexible smartphones need to be more resistant to the pressure exerted by regular use, therefore the material used in making them would play a significant role. Material like plastic, glass, fiber composites could be used for flexible smartphone. Existing iPhones are made from metal and glass.
