A recent Apple patent for flexible and/ or curved displays has led many to wonder when we will see the technology on iPhone devices.
Rumours are circulating of a possible curved screen for future Apple iPhone devices after a patent for flexible and/or curved displays was discovered on June 24th. This was confirmed by an “industry source” speaking to Business Korea, who then went on to claim that Apple is also serious about switching to OLED technology for future panels.
The source also hinted that it’s “is very likely that the first flexible iPhone may be introduced in 2018, as Apple’s top-tier display suppliers are working on it.” Currently, the company used curved OLED technology in their smartwatch devices, so it understandable that the feature will make its way into handsets sometime in the future. With the iPhone 7 expected to release in september 2017, we probably won’t be seeing this until the iPhone 8 reaches consumers.
With the increasing popularity of curved display smartphones such a the LG G Flex and Samsung Galaxy S6 EDGE, Apple will be keen to get in on the action when the technology has matured. The displays are particularly popular within the Asian market, an area where Apple will be hoping to extend their current consumer interest.
The curved display could also make up a bigger plan of Apples interest to remove the homescreen button and integrate it directly into the screen itself. The company has been reportedly considering ways to remove the homescreen button for quite some time, though the engineering required for such a feat would be incredibly difficult.
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