Apple patents show possible forms of foldable iPhone or iPad

Image credit: TechRadar

Apple has filed patents with the US Patent and Trademark Office that show various configurations of how a foldable iPhone could work. A selection of images show different designs that would allow a device to be folded down and reduced in size, in order to make it more portable.

Several of the images show a device that folds along the width of the screen, using a hinge to allow the to device fold with the screen either on the inside or the outside. Other designs show ways this would work, including a device that would store the foldable screen within the body when folded.

  • Samsung's foldable Galaxy X will be one of the first foldable smartphones
  • This is what we thought about the iPhone XS
  • Here's what to expect with iOS 13

While some of the drawings show the screen on the outside of the handset when folded, others have it on the inside, so Apple clearly hasn’t decided which design to go for yet.

Other designs show a device with two hinges that would fold down into three sections when stored, which would need to have a display that was flexible enough to be folded this much. This image suggests that kind of design could be expanded on into more sections – presumably with enough folding sections, a user would be able to roll the device down into a tube instead of folding into halves or thirds.

There’s no indication whether the foldable device would be an iPhone, iPad, or a hybrid device. However, while other companies are working on foldable devices that would expand from smartphone configuration into tablets, such as Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy X device, each of Apple’s patented images only shows a device folded down to reduce size, suggesting the likelihood of it being a hybrid phablet is low.

Since there are so many different designs shown in the patent, it’s clear that it’s still early days for Apple in terms of foldable devices – we’re not expecting the iPhone 11 to fold into sections or have a flexible display. However, Apple has always proved competitive when it comes to technology trends, and we’ve heard a foldable iPhone is on the horizon for 2020.

In addition to Samsung, several other companies are preparing foldable phones, including LG and Huawei, and some of these are expected to be unveiled at MWC 2019 at the end of February – we’ll be there to cover all the big phone launches, whether folding or otherwise. 

Tom Bedford
Contributor

Tom Bedford joined TechRadar in early 2019 as a staff writer, and left the team as deputy phones editor in late 2022 to work for entertainment site (and TR sister-site) What To Watch. He continues to contribute on a freelance basis for several sections including phones, audio and fitness.

Latest in iPhone
Apple iPhone 16 Pro REVIEW
The iPhone 17 Air looks impressively slim in this new comparison image, but that just makes me more worried about the specs
iPhone 16 Pro Desert Titanium in hand
I think the rumored iPhone 17 Pro redesign looks great – but is it Apple enough?
Apple iPhone 16 Review
New iPhone 17 report lends weight to rumors of major display and camera upgrades, and a pricey Apple foldable
Apple iPhone 16 Review
The latest iPhone 18 leak hints at a major chipset upgrade for all four models
Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold main display opened
Apple is rumored to be prioritizing battery life on the foldable iPhone – which could also feature a liquid metal hinge for added durability
The home screen on an iPhone 16e smartphone
I think the iPhone 16e is too expensive – and as it turns out, so does nearly everybody else
Latest in News
A young woman is working on a laptop in a relaxed office space.
I’ll admit, Microsoft’s new Windows 11 update surprised me with its usefulness, providing accessibility fixes, a gamepad keyboard layout, and PC spec cards
inZOI promotional material.
inZOI has become the most wishlisted game on Steam, but I wouldn't get too caught up in the hype
Xbox Series X and Xbox wireless controller set to a green background
Xbox Insiders are currently testing a new Game Hub feature that looks useful, but I've got mixed feelings about it
A stylized depiction of a padlocked WiFi symbol sitting in the centre of an interlocking vault.
Broadcom warns of worrying security flaws affecting VMware tools
Nespresso Vertuo Pop machine in Candy Pink with coffee drinks and capsules
My favorite Nespresso coffee maker just got a fresh new makeover, and now I love it even more
Microsoft Surface Laptop and Surface Pro devices on a table.
Hate Windows 11’s search? Microsoft is fixing it with AI, and that almost makes me want to buy a Copilot+ PC