Apple recently filed a patent for a smartphone with a rollable display, meaning we might see a rollable iPhone soon. According to Mashable, the filing date was in November 2022, which was published on July 13, 2023. Believe it or not, you could roll this device like paper instead of folding its touchscreen.
The recent iPhone models have been lacking in major innovations. Specifically, they haven’t offered significant changes to the overall design of the original shiny black slab.
Apple may change that by releasing a device you furl and unfurl like a diploma. This article will discuss what people know about the rollable iPhone patent. Later, I will elaborate on another rollable smartphone and cover its benefits and risks.
How would the rollable iPhone work?
Mashable reported the proposed electronic device would have a display that “may be moved between an unrolled state in which the display is planar and a rolled state in which a rollable portion of the display is rolled up for storage.”
In other words, you spread out the screen when you need to use the phone. Afterward, you roll it like a sheet of paper to insert it into your pocket or bag.
The patent mentions using a “locally thinned” glass layer in the rollable portion. Also, the display configuration “compressive stress in the outwardly facing glass surface may help prevent damage to the display when the display is bent.”
Many companies have released rollable phone concepts, but none have released final products. Consequently, Apple has to overcome numerous hurdles to create a rollable iPhone.
One of the biggest problems is the flimsy screen. Foldable and rollable devices must make screens flexible enough to furl and unfurl numerous times without breaking.
However, that flexibility usually sacrifices durability. The gadget news website TechSpot compared rollable devices to foldables because they are the closest comparison.
It said most phone screens register at level six of the Mohs hardness scale. Meanwhile, flexible displays for foldable phones are level two, meaning you can scratch it with your fingernail.
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Rollable screens would likely have countless tiny screens consisting of the phone display. As a result, they put numerous points of failure for the rolling mechanism.
In other words, rollable phones will likely break as you roll and unroll them several times. Also, rollable screens would likely have minuscule gaps that may let water and dust enter.
More importantly, it would likely cost thousands of dollars. You should probably save more than that to purchase the rollable iPhone as soon as possible!
What are Apple’s other projects?
Photo Credit: cnet.com
Numerous experts thought Apple would release a foldable smart device in 2024. CCS Insight chief of research, Ben Wood, said the company must produce one to follow the foldable trend.
Many dubbed it the “iPhone Flip” and created numerous concept designs. At the time of writing, the company hasn’t released a rollable iPhone in the market.
However, Tim Cook’s tech firm announced the “first spatial computer, ” the Apple Vision Pro. It is a mixed-reality headset that lets you use VR tech for daily tasks.
The demo says it lets people use virtual reality as a mobile office. Wear the goggles, and it will project windows and apps that follow wherever you go.
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Unlike conventional VR glasses, you don’t interact with the device using a controller. Instead, the goggles follow your hands to register your hand motions.
As a result, you can type and move apps in virtual reality conveniently. Believe it or not, the tech firm says it projects your movies 100 feet wide!
The Vision Pro projects Panorama pictures around you, letting you relive memories anytime. Also, it lets you have fun with video calls by showing you and your friends as cute digital Personas.
Conclusion
Apple filed a patent for a rollable mobile device. As a result, numerous people claim the company will apply that feature to its next iPhone model.
We do not have additional information about the device at the time of writing. Also, Apple hasn’t commented on the patent or the possibility of a rollable iPhone release.
Learn more about the concept product by reading the patent. Moreover, check out more tips and trends about artificial intelligence, virtual reality, gadgets, and more at Inquirer Tech.