The filing with Apple's US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is titled 'Electronic device with a display that can be extended by a sliding mechanism'. The description has a cross-sectional drawing of a phone with a fixed roller inside. The screen will bend around this part and hide in a U-shaped, S-shaped, or curled shape.
Apple notes: 'Part of the flexible screen can be in the body when not extended. In this state, the screen can bend or fold itself many times'.
Compared with Samsung's folding screen, the advantage of the roll screen is that there is no crease in the middle of the screen. The hinge on a folding screen can wear out if the user opens the device too many times.
Apple may be considering the idea of a scrolling screen, but it is not certain that such a smartphone will become a reality. Folding iPhone is probably a more viable target. Last month, Apple also applied for a patent for a battery specifically for folding smartphones.
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Currently, the foldable iPhone is considered a better option. Last month, 'Apple House' disclosed a patent application related to a foldable battery, which is said to be used in the foldable iPhone - iPhone Flip.
Reportedly, Apple has considered two different form factors for its folding iPhone - vertical folding and horizontal folding like Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Galaxy Z Flip 3. When folded, the device will easily slip into a pocket while unfolded will be a 6.7-inch screen with thin bezels, having a ratio of 21: 9 or 22: 9.
Similarly, giant LG also 'hidden' information on the production of scrolling screen smartphones. The smartphone was revealed by LG in a 28-minute video to introduce products online within the framework of the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2021. The Korean electronics company did not directly mention Rollable. Instead, the device was only 'treaked' for a few seconds at the beginning and end of the presentation.
Based on the image in the video, Rollable has a similar operation to the previous Oppo X 2021 prototype. In normal mode, the device is about the size of a traditional smartphone but can expand the display space through the internal drive system.
LG used to apply roll technology for the first OLED screen on TVs since 2018. However, it could not commercialize this product until October 2020. Currently, the Signature OLED R model with a scrolling screen is sold by LG for $ 87,000. A source told Cnet revealed, LG plans to sell the Rollable later this year.