Foldable iPhone just teased in latest Apple patent - what we know Tom's Guide Skip to main content Tom's Guide is supported by its audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here's why you can trust us. Foldable iPhone just teased in latest Apple patent - what we know By Malcolm McMillan published 15 July 2022 The patent could also signal a future foldable iPad (Image credit: #iOS Beta News/YouTube) While we still don't have a release date for a possible iPhone Flip - or even confirmation that a foldable Apple phone even is in the works - we do at least have further proof that Apple is very interested in joining the growing market for foldable devices. The company just won some patents related to foldables. That's the word from Patently Apple (opens in new tab), which reported earlier this week that Apple had just been granted two patents focused on foldable devices, noting that both could apply to folding iPhones and iPads. (Image credit: USPTO) The first patent (opens in new tab) is for an electronic device with a durable folding display, which could include sensors for fingerprint recognition and air gestures. The second patent is similar, but focuses on an electronic device with a foldable display that has textured flexible areas. This second patent (opens in new tab) seems to be focused more on the quality of the display as it allows for the combination of glass and a polymer to reduce reflections. Patents don't necessarily mean that product launches are imminent or even likely. But these patents do give us a better look into what Apple's thinking about for future products, which could one day include something with a foldable screen. iPhone Flip What these patents could indicate  It's worth noting that neither patent indicates that these displays are specifically for a phone. So these patents could be covering an iPad Duo just as easily as an iPhone Flip. That said, there's already been some indications that Apple is focusing on larger folding displays, including a potential 9-inch foldable iPhone. Apart from patent filings, there have been plenty of rumors that Apple is eyeing the possibility of larger devices with foldable displays. MacRumors (opens in new tab) reported that Display Supply Chain Consultants analyst Ross Young thinks Apple is working on a potential 20-inch foldable notebook. In that same article, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has suggested Apple is working on larger-screened iPads, which could indicate that this foldable notebook is actually a foldable iPad. (Image credit: Antonio De Rosa) The inclusion of sensors ranging from fingerprint recognition to health sensors indicates that these latest patents were definitely created with smartphones in mind. While tablets like the iPad can certainly have these sensors as well, these are features that we now look for in the latest smartphones. Most likely, these patents will be involved in the creation of any foldable device that Apple produces. iPhone Flip When should we expect it  (Image credit: EverythingApplePro) If an iPhone Flip is in the works, it might not arrive any time soon. While Young has said that a folding iPhone could come as early as next year, the general consensus is that an iPhone Flip would appear in 2024. Some analysts, like Ming-Chi Kuo, forecast an even later 2025 launch. The bottom line? Even with Apple racking up foldable device patents, don't expect the company to compete with the best foldable phones. That category remains dominated by Samsung, which is expect to roll out two new foldables - the Galaxy Z Fold 4 and Galaxy Z Flip 4 as soon as next month.Today's best Apple AirPods (3rd Generation) dealsLow Stock (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab)$169 (opens in new tab)View (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab)$179 (opens in new tab)View (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab)$179 (opens in new tab)View (opens in new tab)Show More DealsWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices Be In the Know Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Malcolm McMillanNews WriterMalcolm McMillan is a News Writer for Tom's Guide. Before writing for Tom's Guide, he worked many retail jobs and many Black Fridays, including a stint for Microsoft. He is passionate about video games and sports, though both cause him to yell at the TV frequently. In his spare time, Malcolm is a fantasy football analyst. He proudly sports many tattoos, including an Arsenal tattoo, in honor of the team that causes him to yell at the TV the most. Topics Apple iPhone Smartphones See all comments (0) No comments yet Comment from the forums MOST READMOST SHARED1Hell Let Loose is too good for its own good2I'm an avid Google Maps guide - here's why it's my favorite place to post3High-yield savings account - what it is and how to open one4I tested iPhone 14 Pro Max vs iPhone 13 Pro Max cameras - and the results are surprising5Hyundai IONIQ 6 first drive: A killer EV that delivers range and comfort1Hell Let Loose is too good for its own good2I'm an avid Google Maps guide - here's why it's my favorite place to post3High-yield savings account - what it is and how to open one4I tested iPhone 14 Pro Max vs iPhone 13 Pro Max cameras - and the results are surprising5Hyundai IONIQ 6 first drive: A killer EV that delivers range and comfort