iPhone 7 Specs, Features Rumors: Apple Gets Patent For Bendable And Even Foldable iPhone

Although Apple is considered as a leading innovator, it is Samsung that has introduced flexible phones such as the Galaxy Round and Galaxy Note Edge. However, Apple seems to have its own plans to create a flexible "electronic device" like a bendable and even foldable iPhone and recently got a patent for this. Whether this has indications on how the eagerly anticipated iPhone 7 turns out remains to be seen.

Information on the patent first surfaced on AppleInsider which reported that the United States Patent and Trademark Office (U.S.P.T.O.) had given a patent to Apple for its plans to create a fully flexible device.

Forbes said the plans filed by Apple for the flexible device are pretty extensive, proving that the company has invested significant amount of time on the design. As part of the design, the phone will be able to bend when impacted and can be even be folded completely and stored in a wallet. According to the patent, when users flex the device it could turn off or on or be interpreted by a "flex sensing" component as a specific command.

This "complete" folding is miles ahead of the current flexible phones in the market which have either a slightly curved body like the LG G Flex 2 or a flexible screen like the Galaxy Note Edge. To create this fully bendable device, Apple plans to also create a foldable chassis, cover glass and then include flexible batteries, circuit boards and electronics.

Current phones such as the G Flex 2 and Galaxy Round have some bendable elements. For example the G Flex 2 and its predecessor the G Flex have a bendable battery which cannot be removed. However, these phones can only be bent to a limited extent.

Commenting on the patent awarded to Apple, many reviewers have noted that while the plans exist, the company may never be able to release such a device and prove that it is beneficial.