Apple has yet to ship out the first batches of the new iPhone X, which is the first iPhone to sport an OLED display, but it is already setting its sights on the future of OLED. The iPhone maker is working with Korean tech leader LG in developing a flexible OLED panel for a foldable iPhone.
According to reports, the iPhone's rivalry with Samsung's flagship Galaxy series played a part in choosing LG as the supplier for the display panels. Currently, Apple relies on Samsung for supplying the OLED screens for the iPhone X. However, Apple is concerned that Samsung may obtain sensitive information about the foldable iPhone and use it to get ahead in the competition.
In recent years, LG Display has shown off its advances in the development of foldable displays with a number of prototypes. One design allows the screen to be folded like a book, while another rolls up like a newspaper. The company is still working on making the panels more durable and increasing its yield rate.
LG Display's sister company, LG Innotek, on the other hand, is focusing on developing a rigid but flexible printed circuit board that would be compatible with the flexible OLED. Apple may also invest in an LG plant that would be focused on producing its flexible displays.
Following the rumors of Apple's partnership with LG, a new application was filed by the Cupertino-based company to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office this week detailing its interest in a future hardware device that could be folded in half.
The application describes a flexible display with a flexible portion that could be folded without any seams or a visible hinge. The device could be folded like a book or a laptop, with the active area facing toward the user, or like a wallet with the screen covering the outer area of the device.
