Club Benefits
You are now subscribed
Your newsletter sign-up was successful
Want to add more newsletters?
Daily (Mon-Sun)
Tom's Guide Daily
Sign up to get the latest updates on all of your favorite content! From cutting-edge tech news and the hottest streaming buzz to unbeatable deals on the best products and in-depth reviews, we’ve got you covered.
Weekly on Thursday
Tom's AI Guide
Be AI savvy with your weekly newsletter summing up all the biggest AI news you need to know. Plus, analysis from our AI editor and tips on how to use the latest AI tools!
Weekly on Friday
Tom's iGuide
Unlock the vast world of Apple news straight to your inbox. With coverage on everything from exciting product launches to essential software updates, this is your go-to source for the latest updates on all the best Apple content.
Weekly on Monday
Tom's Streaming Guide
Our weekly newsletter is expertly crafted to immerse you in the world of streaming. Stay updated on the latest releases and our top recommendations across your favorite streaming platforms.
Join the club
Get full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards.
The iPhone Flip or another future foldable iPhone could feature a unique, crack-resistant display made of mixed materials — not just flexible glass. According to an updated patent, Apple has proposed using ceramic particles to reinforce the protective layer of a folding smartphone.
As PatentlyApple points out, this insight comes from a continuation patent, meaning Apple updated a previous patent with new information. While Apple has protected several ideas surrounding foldable iPhones so far, this addendum could reveal the company is actively attempting to create one of the best foldable phones yet.
- iPhone 13 release date, price, specs and rumors
- Everything we know about Apple Watch 7
- Plus: WhatsApp killer feature could make it easier to switch between Android and iOS
The patent's attached images show how Apple's special crack-resistant display could work on devices that fold horizontally and vertically. We don't know yet whether the loosely-named iPhone Flip will look more like the phablet Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 or clamshell Motorola Razr, but we do know Apple has tested (or is testing) both orientations for flexible displays.
We typically recommend taking patents with a grain of salt, since there's no guarantee these blueprints will ever see the light of day. In fact, few ever do. But given the growing backlog of foldable iPhone patents and practical nature of this application, it seems like a realistic pitch.
Existing foldable phones already combine different materials to achieve a malleable design. Most of these devices employ a mixture of plastic and glass that can withstand bending; however, smartphone makers haven't been able to dissolve the sense of fragility that surrounds folding displays.
Apple is suggesting a proprietary, protective layer incorporating ceramic, the key material of the iPhone 12's Ceramic Shield screen. Ceramic is also touted as a premium case option for the Apple Watch.
But is ceramic the key to a successful folding phone? There's no way to know whether Apple will follow through on this patent's plans when it comes time to send the iPhone Flip or other folding device to production. We do know that the company won't risk a first-generation Samsung Galaxy Fold repeat, though. Expect the first folding iPhone to double down on durability.
The latest leaks point to a 2022 or 2023 launch for iPhone Flip. If you're in the market for a foldable, you'll sooner see the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 or Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3. Otherwise, the non-flexible iPhone 13 is due to arrive this fall.
