Apple is reportedly combining a new hinge, advanced glass layers and adhesive technology in an effort to dramatically reduce the visible crease in its first foldable iPhone.
Apple is expected to enter the foldable smartphone market with the iPhone Ultra, and one of the company's biggest priorities appears to be addressing one of the most common complaints about foldable devices: the visible crease running across the flexible display.
Foldable displays need to bend thousands of times throughout their lifetime. That repeated movement places stress on the screen materials and the hinge area, which can create a visible line or depression at the point where the device folds.
Reports suggest Apple is using several technologies together rather than relying on a single solution. One of the most important components is said to be a liquid-metal hinge designed to distribute mechanical stress more evenly across the folding area.
The company is also reportedly using multiple layers of ultra-thin glass with different characteristics. By carefully controlling the thickness and flexibility of these layers, Apple may be able to reduce the pressure concentrated around the center of the screen.
A special optically clear adhesive is also believed to play a role. The material could fill microscopic gaps between the display layers and help maintain a smoother surface as the phone is repeatedly opened and closed.
These technologies may not completely eliminate the crease, but reports indicate that Apple is attempting to make it significantly less noticeable than on many existing foldable phones. This could become an important selling point for the company's first entry into the category.
The iPhone Ultra is expected to feature a book-style folding design with a large internal display and a smaller external screen. Apple is widely expected to reveal more information about the device during its upcoming hardware event.
1 Comments
Henry Thompson
If Apple can really reduce the crease, its foldable phone could be a serious competitor.