Apple Researching Stronger Displays for Foldable Devices to Resist Cracking

[MacRumors]

A newly-published patent filing has revealed that Apple is developing a protective layer to resist cracking on foldable displays, as well as improve scratch resistance and durability (via Patently Apple).

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office filing, titled "Hybrid coverlay/window structure for flexible display applications," outlines how curved, flexible, or foldable display modules could use a protective hardcoat layer to circumvent cracking. Apple appears to be seeking to remedy display cracking issues that have afflicted some Samsung devices.

The patent notes that "typically, glass fracture initiates from the presence of micro-cracks." Apple's hardcoat layer would fill pre-existing micro-cracks and therefore make it harder for a serious crack to develop.

The additional protective layer would be placed directly on top of the display. It would be "engineered to have a sufficiently high hardness and tensile strength to function as an exterior protective coating for the electronic device... Thus, the hardcoat layer is sufficiently durable for high puncture and scratch resistance."

Images attached to the patent included simple illustrations of foldable devices, with both inwardly and outwardly-foldable displays.

Although a foldable device from Apple does not seem to be on the horizon any time soon, the company has been heavily researching and developing the technology. In September, Apple reportedly ordered a "large number" of Samsung foldable display samples.

In 2019, Apple strengthened the glass on iPhone 11 and iPhone 11 Pro, and this year with the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro, the company introduced Ceramic Shield. Ceramic Shield is a strengthened glass that reportedly improves drop performance by up to four times.

The patent therefore seems to show the intersection between Apple's separate research on glass durability and foldable displays.

Article Link: Apple Researching Stronger Displays for Foldable Devices to Resist Cracking

 

[macduke]

Looking forward to an iPhone Pro Max / iPad Mini hybrid device.

 

[deeddawg]

Now there's something I'll wait a few generations on so others can be the alpha and beta testers.

 

[jader201]

Do people really want this? Seems like a gimmick.

 

[agv123]

I want the eyePhone! When are they going to start the R&D for that?

 

[AxiomaticRubric]

I see absolutely no practical reason to have a folding smart phone.

If someone *needs* a larger screen they can use any flavour of iPad.

 

[AngerDanger]

I really love patent applications. Between the blocky edges, use of basic geometry, and weird composite perspective, they always look like they were made in MS Paint.

 

[bsamcash]

Resistance to cracking is a smart move. Other companies should’ve gone this route.

 

[and 1989 others]

I don't think I will ever want a foldable display, they seem very cumbersome.

 

[imnotthewalrus]

Retail $2999 /s

 

[nwcs]

I don’t want a folding display on a phone. What I wouldn’t mind is a slightly curved display for the watch.

 

[w5jck]

I'm not interested in a foldable phone, so mehhhhhhhhh.... Note to Apple, just because you can doesn't mean you should.

 

[MacManTexas56]

Do people really want this? Seems like a gimmick.

and then when it breaks...."you're folding it wrong!" LOL

 

[12vElectronics]

Very gimmicky.

 

[gwbandrew]

This probably isn't for a folding iPhone, it's probably just to prevent cracking when pressure is applied to the display itself (think Bendgate).

It's a great application for additional protection, but it'll likely be referenced for warranty claims when an iPhone's screen is cracked without an impact point.

 

[_Refurbished_]

Why would u want to unfold my phone every time I take it out of my pocket?

No thanks.

 

[AirunJae]

I try to avoid saying, "This is garbage!" about new stuff that hasn't been sorted out yet. That said, it seems like the current implementations of foldable screens have a long way to go before it's something the average consumer is going to want to use or be able to afford.

 

[Hammerd]

Retail $2999 /s

64GB

 

[thejadedmonkey]

Do people really want this? Seems like a gimmick.

I honestly think that Microsoft did it best with the Surface Duo - design wise, not specs or software. Two separate screens for two different apps at the same time. If the Duo is a dual-monitor setup than a foldable screen is like an ultra-wide. Sure it'll look pretty but at some point it's just superfluous, excess, and frankly useless.

There's a reason companies give multiple monitors, not ultra-wide monitors.

 

[anthogag]

Make the fold round; go around a 'tube' containing Apple Pencil. The phone would be wedge-shaped when closed.

 

[Psychicbob]

I guess I can see one possible benefit in a flexible phone, in that if you keep it in your back pocket and sit on it all the time, it can quite happily flex and mould itself temporarily to the contours of your backside and not be damaged. As long as it springs back of course!

 

[44267547]

Do people really want this? Seems like a gimmick.

The same thing was said about the Apple Watch before it launched in 2015 and look where that is today in terms of being successful. So I don’t think we can ask the question ‘Do people really want this‘, when we haven’t give the opportunity for this tech to debut.

 

[Pedram Haghzaban]

Resistance to cracking is a smart move. Other companies should’ve gone this route.

Exactly. Other companies want their screen to crack on purpose. Shame on them.

 

[Harmonious Zen]

Here's the thing: yes, in its current form these are all gimmicks. But, give this a thought: an iPhone that's nearly as thin as the current ones but that doesn't have a crease or weird hinge. When you unfold it, it unfolds perfectly into an iPad mini. So you can use it in "iPhone" form with zero compromises and then unfold it to use it as an iPad. 6.1" screen on the front and then 8" screen when unfolded.

THAT would be awesome. Unfortunately, THAT is probably generations away. It would require a really, really awesome hinge mechanism and a screen that can fold without leaving a crease.

 

[jimbobb24]

A solution in search of a problem.