Apple Reportedly Adopts Dual-Layer Glass to Reduce Crease Effect on Foldable iPhone
In Focus
- Apple is targeting a crease depth of less than 0.15mm
- The foldable iPhone could feature a hinge design
- The hinge design will be developed using 3D printing technology
- Apple could introduce foldable iPhone this year
Apple is expected to introduce a foldable iPhone that has been under development for years now. The new smartphone could launch alongside the iPhone 18 Pro lineup later this year. According to Hindustan Times, Apple’s foldable iPhone could feature a hinge design.
Apple to Use 3D Printing for iPhone Fold’s Hinge
Reports indicate that Apple will likely use 3D printing technology to develop iPhone Fold’s hinge mechanism. This design is aimed at making the crease that forms on foldable displays less visible.
The 3D hinge in Apple’s foldable iPhone will also determine how the screen bends and is expected to make the screen more durable. A 3D printer hinge will likely give Apple more control over the precision and structure of the iPhone Fold. This is not the first time that Apple has used 3D printing in its products.
The tech giant reportedly used this method to produce parts of Apple Watch casings and components like the USB Type-C port for its latest iPhone models. Apple’s iPhone Fold UTG display design leaked weeks after CAD files showed that the new smartphone will likely feature a dual rear camera.
A Dual-Layer Glass Structure Design
Like the 3D printed hinge, iPhone Fold’s display design is equally ambitious. The design is expected to feature a dual-layer glass structure that separates the screen from the hinge, reducing stress over time.
The display of the foldable iPhone will be sandwiched between the two layers of ultra-thin glass, distributing mechanical stress across multiple layers as opposed to a single sheet. This design will likely give iPhone Fold a more durable display and reduce crease effect.
This design has been adopted by several other smartphone manufacturers. Oppo, for instance, uses a 3D-printed polymer layer in its Find N6 foldable to fill the gap beneath the fold. This helps in reducing the crease effect on the display. Apple is targeting a crease depth of less than 0.15mm, which is nearly four times shallower than Samsung Galaxy Fold’s 0,7mm. This aspect will likely give Apple a competitive edge over Samsung in the global smartphone market.
What are the Main Specifications of Apple Fold?
Apple’s upcoming foldable smartphone is expected to feature a 7.8-inch OLED flexible main display with a 120Hz refresh rate. The device will also come with a 5.5-inch OLED cover screen for regular use when folded.
The foldable phone will reportedly be powered by Apple’s A20 Pro chip. The device will run on 12GB of RAM, with up to 1TB of storage. The phone is also expected to have a 5,800mAh battery, the largest ever in an iPhone.
The foldable iPhone will not feature Face ID. Instead, the smartphone will use Touch ID, which will likely be integrated into the power button. The Touch ID will also be used for authentication, instead of the TrueDepth camera system.
