Apple Granted Patent for Bendable, Foldable iPhone Design

Carbon nanotubes are apparently what makes it possible.

By Evan Campbell

Apple has been granted a patent for a bendable and/or foldable iPhone design.

Patently Apple spotted the patent win for the Cupertino company. The patent includes what appears to be a clamshell design (somewhat similar in appearance below to the Nintendo DS and 3DS), but with much more flexibility in how the device bends.

Apple was granted a patent for this bendable, foldable iPhone design. Image courtesy of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office

Apple reportedly plans on using carbon nanotubes to make this foldable iPhone design possible. "Conductive carbon nanotube paths can form signal paths that are flexible and resistant to cracking," the U.S. patent states.

Other companies like LG have previously shown off bendable smartphones.

Last month, Apple reported its first annual revenue decline in 15 years. The slowdown is reportedly chalked up to slowing smartphone sales.

In September, the company unveiled and released the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus. As for the wireless AirPods that work with the smartphones, Apple recently delayed them.

Evan Campbell is a freelance writer who scripts the Daily Fix, streams games on his Twitch channel, and chats about movies and TV series on Twitter.

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