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Apple has won a patent for Devices with Durable Folding Displays and two Design Patents covering the Studio Display +

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In June we posted a report titled "A Supply Chain report claims that Apple has begun the 'Request for Information' phase regarding Multiple Foldable Device Projects." We noted in a report yesterday that "The smartphone race in Mainland China in Q1-24 couldn't have been fighter between the top 5 OEMS as noted in a recent Canalys report. While foldable smartphones may be irrelevant in global statistics overall, they're mountainous in Mainland China. All four of China's smartphone players offer book and/or flip smartphones. Only Apple is the odd man out. The lack of a foldable is one the reasons for Apple landing in fifth spot in Q1-2024.

While we await Apple's first foldable device, Apple was granted another patent today regarding durable folding displays. Our report also covers two new design patents covering Apple's Studio Display and more.   

Electronic Devices With Durable Folding Displays

Apple's patent application covers an electronic device that may be provided with a foldable housing. The housing may have first and second portions that are coupled by a hinge for rotation about a bend axis.

A foldable display may be mounted to the foldable housing. The foldable display may have a display cover layer and a flexible display panel. The foldable display may bend around a bend axis. The display panel may have an array of pixels configured to display an image through the display cover layer.

The display cover layer may be formed from a layer of glass. A recess may be formed in the layer of glass that extends along the bend axis. The recess may form a flexible locally thinned portion in the layer of glass that allows the glass layer to bend about the bend axis. 

To ensure that the display cover layer exhibits satisfactory impact resistance during drop events, corner portions and other edge portions of the display cover layer may have increased thickness relative to other portions of the display cover layer outside of the locally thinned portion.

The hinge and/or other structures in the display may be configured to help hold the display flat when unfolded during normal use, while causing the display to slightly fold about the bend axis when the electronic device is jolted during a drop event. This helps prevent the display from impacting a surface while fully opened.

Review the patent figures and notes below.

2-Apple-foldable device patent figs

For full details, review patent application 12041738. Apple has filed dozens of foldable display/device patents over the years that you could review here.

Two of Apple's Main Design Patents Granted Today

Today the U.S. Patent Office granted Apple two new granted design patents covering the MagSafe Charging Case (USB-C) for AirPods Pro with lanyard loop and the Studio Display as presented below.

3 AirPods Pro Magsafe Charging case design patent


3 AirPods Pro Magsafe Charging case design patent


10.52FX - Granted Patent Bar