Apple has filed a patent application that suggests the company may be working on rollable or scrollable iPhones, according to recent reports. The patent application, which expands on Apple’s previous exploration of expandable displays in 2014, was recently released by the US Patent & Trademark Office.
The tech giant’s patent filing indicates that future Apple products, including iPhones, iPads, televisions, desktop displays, and vehicle dashboards, could feature rollable or scrollable displays. This technology would allow the devices to have a display that can change into a rolled-up state for storage and an unrolled state for viewing.
In the unrolled state, the display is expected to be flat and planar, while in the rolled state, it would bend around an axis onto a roller for storage. The display would consist of a pixel array for image production and a transparent protective layer, potentially including a layer of locally thinned glass to aid in bending.
While rollable screen devices may still be in the distant future, there have been rumors that Apple is also working on a folding MacBook set to debut in 2026. The company has been exploring innovative technologies to enhance the flexibility and durability of its devices.
In March, another Apple patent application titled “Self-Retracting Display Device and Techniques for Protecting Screen Using Drop Detection” revealed that the company is developing a technology that would enable iPhones and iPads with flexible screens to sense drops and automatically fold up to minimize damage. This approach aims to protect the screen by allowing it to detach or fold in a way that reduces the impact of a fall.
While patents do not necessarily guarantee the release of a specific product or technology, they provide insights into a company’s research and development efforts. Apple’s patent applications in the field of flexible and expandable displays indicate its commitment to exploring new possibilities for future devices.
As technology continues to advance, consumers can look forward to innovative designs and features in Apple’s upcoming products. However, it’s important to note that these developments are still in the patent stage, and it may take some time before they are implemented in commercially available devices.
