According to reports, Apple has obtained a new patent today, further raising expectations that Apple will launch a foldable screen device.
According to the patent description, this technology allows users to touch multiple parts of the device, not just the screen, to perform certain functions. For example, users can touch the side of the device to control the camera, which Apple describes as a “virtual shutter button.” In addition, users can also slide their finger up and down the side of the device to control the volume.
Also, the patent description includes an image of a foldable phone or tablet with a “wraparound” screen (i.e. foldable).
Unlike competitors such as Samsung, Apple has so far not launched a foldable iPhone or any other device. But some analysts predict that Apple will release such a device in the not-too-distant future. The new patent obtained this time has further raised people’s expectations.
UBS analysts said in a note that the patent could indicate that Apple will launch a foldable device, but not this year. UBS believes that foldable screens will boost market demand for future iPhones. UBS analysts said in the report: “We believe that the foldable screen iPhone will drive the purchase rate and upgrade rate of consumers.”
Currently, foldable phones represent only a small fraction of the overall smartphone market. According to IDC data, foldable screen phones will only account for 1.1% of total smartphone shipments in 2022.
In the past few months, some analysts have predicted that Apple may launch some kind of foldable device, but it should not be an iPhone. Because for the iPhone, Apple is not eager to cater to a new trend, but to wait for the technology to mature.
To this end, market research firm CCS Insight predicts that Apple will be the first to launch a folding-screen iPad in 2024. Because it doesn’t make much sense to launch a foldable iPhone at the moment, Apple will avoid this trend and take the lead in testing the waters with the iPad.
In addition, well-known Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo also predicts that Apple will release a foldable-screen iPad in 2024.
