Apple has been notoriously silent when it comes to rumors about a foldable iPhone. However, speculation about a 20.3-inch foldable MacBook has been making the rounds, with TF International’s Ming-Chi Kuo hinting at its development earlier this year.
According to a recent patent application filed by Apple with the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), the focus seems to be on the hinge for an iPhone Flip. Titled “Hinges for Folding Devices,” Apple describes how a foldable display device may be connected by a hinge, allowing for movement between folded and unfolded positions.
The illustrations from Apple’s patent application depict a clamshell phone that folds around a vertical axis, similar to models like the Galaxy Z Flip and Motorola Razr. The hinge allows for both inward and outward movements, with mentions of friction clips and synchronization gear plates in the patent application.
While this patent submission doesn’t guarantee that Apple is actively working on an iPhone Flip, it does hint at the possibility. Apple files numerous patent applications each year, with only a fraction of them actually materializing into products.
Interestingly, Apple may prioritize developing a clamshell foldable iPhone over other designs based on sales data. The success of devices like the Galaxy Z Flip in the foldable market could influence Apple’s decision-making process in this regard.
