In its effort to protect the screen of its first foldable iPhone from damage, Apple has created a new design aimed at protecting the screen from the hinge mechanism itself.
The development of the “iPhone Fold” – the possible name for the foldable device – focused on Apple’s emphasis on avoiding the problem of screen wrinkles that plague other foldable phones.
In a post on the Chinese Weibo platform, the well-known leaker “Digital Chat Station” mentioned that the screen used in the foldable iPhone will not only rely on “self-repairing glass” and a smooth hinge design, but rather the structure of the screen panel itself will play a decisive role, according to a report by the “AppleInsider” website, which specializes in technology news.
According to reports, Apple is using a dual-layer structure of UTG/UFG – ultra-thin glass and ultra-thin flexible glass – where the actual screen layer will be placed between two thin layers of glass, one on top and one on the bottom.
It may seem strange to add a layer of glass under the screen itself, but there are a few reasons why.
The first of these reasons, as mentioned by the leaker “Digital Chat Station”, is to prevent the screen from directly touching the hinge mechanism, as folding the iPhone Fold causes the screen and the hinge to move, which may lead to them touching.
Another reason is to reduce the mechanical stress caused by the folding process. By adding layers of glass on the sides, these layers bear the bulk of the pressure during folding, reducing the pressure on the screen panel itself.
Although Digital Chat Station is considered an active leaker, the accuracy of its information is not always guaranteed. This is not his only publication about this device, which has been widely rumored.
When Apple launches the iPhone Fold, which is expected to be later in 2026, the company will have put great effort and time into designing the perfect screen. This includes claims of a fold, but it will be barely noticeable to users.
The screen will also get advanced protection against scratches. In February, Apple was studying which of two film materials to put over foldable glass to protect the screen from damage.
