Apple Develops Rollable iPhone That Rolls Up... Files Patent Application

[Asia Economy Reporter Joesulgina] Apple is pushing forward with the production of a so-called "rollable" iPhone, featuring a display that rolls up. Having already lost the lead in foldable smartphones to competitor Samsung Electronics, it is expected to leverage both foldable and rollable designs to compete in the "form factor" battle.

According to industry sources and foreign media on the 10th, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) published a patent filed by Apple this month for an "electronic device with a sliding expandable display." The patent, filed in June, includes a cross-section of the rollable iPhone. Part of the display is hidden rolled up inside a circular roller and expands widely when extended.

IT specialist media PhoneArena reported, "Unlike foldables with hinges, rollable smartphones do not have creases in the center of the screen and there is no concern about hinge wear." The rollable phone, which rolls up, raised expectations for imminent release when LG Electronics showcased a prototype earlier this year, but the timing of commercialization has become uncertain following LG Electronics' mobile business withdrawal.

The media added that although Apple has filed patents related to rollable technology, it does not necessarily mean a release is imminent, but emphasized that "rollable and pull-out displays are the next frontier for smartphone manufacturers."

Currently, Apple has yet to release a foldable phone. According to TF International analyst Guo Mingchi, who is well-versed in Apple, the foldable iPhone is expected to launch after 2024. By that time, competitor Samsung Electronics is expected to unveil its 6th generation foldable phone.

Samsung Electronics, which secured early leadership in foldable phones, has also filed patents related to rollable phones in the first half of the year, moving closer to launching the world's first rollable phone. Samsung's rollable phone is known to be very similar in form to LG's rollable phone. The industry expects a prototype could be unveiled as early as next year.

Chinese company Oppo, which showcased a rollable prototype ahead of LG Electronics, is reportedly not yet at the commercialization stage. Chinese Huawei, which has been hit hard in its smartphone business due to U.S. government sanctions, is also accelerating development by filing patents for rollable phones.