New patent suggests Apple is exploring a foldable iPhone

Apple may have just filed a patent for a foldable iPhone

(Image credit: Cashkaro)

Foldable phone fans will have all eyes on Samsung's highly anticipated Galaxy Z Flip next week, when the Korean company's next bendy device is expected to be announced at its Galaxy Unpacked event. But, there's now something else to whet their appetite: the prospect of a foldable iPhone.

Apple has been granted a patent for a new hinge technology, as spied by MacRumours, suggesting the company could be exploring a foldable iPhone (or even iPad) design.

The filing, which was published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office yesterday (4th February), describes an electronic device that 'may have a flexible display that overlaps an axis... the housing may be placed in an unfolded configuration to support the display in a planar state. The housing may also be placed in a folded configuration by rotating the first and second portions relative to each other'.

Becky is a hi-fi, AV and technology journalist, formerly the Managing Editor at What Hi-Fi? and Editor of Australian Hi-Fi and Audio Esoterica magazines. With over twelve years of journalism experience in the hi-fi industry, she has reviewed all manner of audio gear, from budget amplifiers to high-end speakers, and particularly specialises in headphones and head-fi devices.

In her spare time, Becky can often be found running, watching Liverpool FC and horror movies, and hunting for gluten-free cake.