In the first half of July 2018, Apple has been granted a patent that suggests that the company looks to change the design of the next iPhone. The patent describes an iPhone device that has curved displays which is something that has only existed in rumors in the first half of the year 2018. This patent now validates the rumor and we hope to see the new iPhone design in the near future.
But what does the patent actually cover?
Ideally, the patent covers an electronic device that has a flexible display housing which Apple has tested in the past to see if it can display content on any part of the housing assembly. In simple words, the patent describes a device that is wrapped around with a display from the sides of the component to its rear. In the world of tablets and smartphones, this is a new paradigm.
What else stands to benefit apart from the display?
The futuristic iPhone is also described to have contextual use buttons that could potentially be designed for various types of use cases in third-party applications. Apple users can relate to the touch bar that is present in the new MacBook Pro models.
Since the screen will be curved and larger than the normal displays, Apple plans to introduce two interfaces where the primary display is for the central part and the other one is for the rear or the sides.
What about other applications?
The curved display may be useful also to other Apple devices. You can also see an extra screen display in small factor wearable devices like the Apple watch. You might even see an interesting development in the operation of a MacBook in both closed and open mode. How cool can it operate a MacBook device that can work in both open and closed modes? It might be a creative way to make a device that stands out.
The future developments of Apple’s curved screens
Mark Gurman from Bloomberg reported in April that Apple was rumored to be developing curved displays for their iPhone device. These futuristic devices were rumored to get to the market in the next two to three years. But in that story, the rumored displays were curved inwards from top to bottom, unlike the curved display that has been described int he patent.
All in all, these two rumors indicate that Apple is considering the use of flexible OLED displays for its future iPhone releases. The best part about Gurman’s rumor is that he mentioned the sources who are familiar with the plans Apple has in store. This is enough evidence to state that Apple is developing curved iPhone displays.
Apple actually has several patents that revolve around flexible, foldable, and curved displays in which a number of media outlets have mentioned. Additionally, the Bloomberg report also stated that Apple is working on a touchless gesture which mirrors a patent that Apple has on Apple watches.
Reasons why a curved screen iPhone is a great idea:
Curved phones offer more durability
First of all, when a curved screen phone drops, it has a better chance of surviving, not mentioning its ability to have fewer scratches. If you compare it to a flat screen phone, any material can scratch its surface or even crack when the phone drops.
Even if a phone has a mild curve, when it drops, chances are that only the edges will come into contact with the surface.
It is more immersive
Curved screens have a more immersive experience because of their field of view. This is experienced more in large displays like in an IMAX theatre or a computer screen; this also applies to phone screens. Since the current range of smartphones are about or close to six inches in diagonal screen length, people now use phones to watch movies and play games. Even a slight curve can go a long way to create an immersive experience; this is what is expected in the iPhone X Plus.
It helps with the software experience
For the standard large screens, it can take a long time to use features or apps across the screen, but with a curved screen, it is easier to navigate around the contents of the screen. The beauty about curved screens is that it can follow the arches of the hands. An iPhone user will find it easy to use the screen’s UI elements. Since Apple is rumored to be working on a 6.5 inch iPhone, a curved display will make iPhone users have an easy time holding the phone on one hand.
Additionally, a curved screen can help FaceID to recognize you when using the phone while it rests on a surface because the camera will be angled towards your face.
Curved phones are more ergonomic
The shape of the new iPhone is rumored to go a long way into making sure that you have a better grip on your phone. A curved screen allows your hand to hold onto the iPhone naturally without dropping it because the phone fits in your hand perfectly. This means that only your fingertips will be gripping your phone.
Apple might end up doing it right
What needs to be clear is that Apple is not inventing the curved screen phones because other companies have used this technology. The difference is how iPhone wants to implement it. Apple wants to perfect the technology that has been introduced by others, and that is exactly what is going to happen.
For example, some of the first smartphones that had a curved screen include the Samsung Galaxy and Google Nexus; this was way back in 2011 when LG also had some good curved screen phones like the G Flex.
What made these technologies fail to survive was partly due to the OLED screen technology that was still being developed; at this time, curved screen technology was a recipe for more complications.
Right now, times are different, and technology has come a long way. Apple used to work with LCD, then moved later on to OLED, and now the company is working on its type of screen technology.
Conclusion
Apple is going to have a design advantage over its competitors if it manages to develop this curved screen smartphone. Since Apple has been on the forefront of stretching phone technology to new heights, there is no doubt that the company can pull off something of this magnitude.
Adrian Rubin is a tech enthusiast who loves to research new tech developments like analytics, IoT applications, computer programming, cell phones, video games e.t.c. Adrian’s interest in smart technology has made him learn more about machine learning and its application in the modern world and the future. Adrian’s passion for technology also drives him to seek out challenges and opportunities that technology is going to present to us in the future.