Tag: foldable smartphone

Apple Is Working On A Foldable Device

Apple might be working on a foldable device similar to what the Samsung Galaxy X would be. After a report claimed that Apple has been working on this new foldable iPhone, a patent application has revealed what Apple might have in store for its foldable iPhone.

Apple has been known to perfect a technology and implement it in their iPhones rather than being the first to implement and under tested technology. Screen embedded fingerprint sensor, which was expected to feature in the iPhone X now seems like a 2018 iPhone feature as Apple will have ample time to test it out first.

The iPhone X has a foldable display as well, which folds at the bottom and can’t be seen while using the phone. This is the trick that makes the edge-to-edge screen design possible, since Apple is able to hide the display controller at the bottom of the panel.

The new patent application describes “Electronic Devices With Flexible Displays.” Apple filed the patent on the 22nd of September, 2016 which means it’s a relatively new invention.

The image reveals that a foldable iPhone would have an all screen design (14, 14E, 14M) that would bend around an axis (16), with a central flexible display area (14M) separating two screen halves that may be flat (14E).

Such a device could bend so that the 14E screen areas would face each other, or away from each other. Should both modes be available to users, then a foldable iPhone may be used as a regular iPhone with displays on both sides, or like a smaller iPad.

The patent application also mentions that micro-LEDs might be used as the potential display technology for this device. This is an interesting piece of information considering that reports already say that Apple is exploring micro-LED display technology as a replacement for LCD and/or OLED display panels.

It will be interesting to see how the first generation foldable iPhone will fare against the Samsung Galaxy X when it does launch in the market for average consumers.

November 24, 2017
Apple Could Partner With LG For Foldable Smartphones

The smartphone industry has seen a gradual slump in innovation over the past few years. Bezel-less display has been the rage of 2017 but, other than that you barely see anything new nowadays. Samsung stirred things up a little with the news of it launching a foldable Android phone in early 2018. Now, there is news that Apple might be teaming up with LG to work on a foldable smartphone.

Samsung has been at the top of its game in the OLED market but, it hasn’t yet commercialised the flexible OLED displays. LG had also revealed a foldable display at CES and has the opportunity to take over that segment of the market and that might be the reason why Apple would choose to team up with LG. This news also falls in line with another report from July about Apple potentially investing over US$2 billion in LG’s new OLED plant.

According to a report from The Bell (via The Investor), Apple will use flexible screens supplied by LG Display for an upcoming folding smartphone. Meanwhile, LG’s Innotek business is already said to be gearing up to produce the rigid flexible printed circuit boards, or RFPCBs, that would feature inside the phones. Apple would be seeking to release this device in 2020, which could give competitors like Samsung and LG itself a head-start.

Samsung already seems well on its way to launch a foldable smartphone in early 2018 with the Galaxy X getting certified in Samsung’s native country, South Korea.

All these are still speculations and as we say it always, take these rumours with a hint of scepticism.

October 11, 2017
Samsung’s Folding Galaxy X May Spark the Revolution that Smartphones Need

It is no secret that Samsung is working on a smartphone with a foldable display which it will launch in 2017. The Galaxy X is the name chosen for this phone, which will juggle between a large and a small display unit without any major damage to the smartphone mechanism.

Manufacturing as a whole tends to stay away from moving parts in mobile handsets and portable devices. The more you knock these around the more prone to damage they become. Even most modern laptop hinges succumb to the weight of opening and closing several times a day. Samsung, however, claims that their new technology will not only revolutionize the smartphone segment but all segments on the way up to foldable television display that could be tucked away while not in use.

Samsung is expected to launch 5 handsets next year which will tie in with their flagship segment. The Galaxy S8 and S8 Edge, the Galaxy Note 7 and Note 7 Edge and the Galaxy X which will give the edge a new name.

Why fold a smartphone you would ask? A foldable display could mean the ability to carry a large phone/tablet without needing a lot of room to. The large screen would fold and fit in the pocket easily and will also remove the need for a secondary “tablet”.

While Samsung is always switching up their launch times, the exact launch period of the “Galaxy X” is unknown. But if it does launch in 2017, the industry may soon rush to catch up. On the flipside it could end up being one of these: and literally no one will care.

Galaxy Round

May 14, 2016