One of the biggest challenges of foldable phones is screen durability. Samsung's Galaxy Fold and Huawei's Mate X look crazy futuristic, but they have plastic screens that aren't as scratch-resistant as the glass displays on regular phones.
That's no good and will be a big step backwards for durability. However, a new bendable glass from Corning Inc., makers of the scratch-resistant Gorilla Glass found on the back and front of many phones including iPhones and Samsung Galaxy phones, might be the solution to the problem.
SEE ALSO:5G will be crazy fast, but it'll be worthless without unlimited dataIn a recent interview with Wired, Corning senior vice president and general manager John Bayne says the plastic polymers used in these new foldable devices is better suited for repeated bending, but they're not as durable as glass.
But making glass that bends and doesn't crack or shatter with repeated folding is tricky. Even more challenging is making foldable glass that plays nice with the many touchscreen transistors that it needs to interface.
Bayne told Wired tat Corning is working on an "ultrathin, bendable glass that's 0.1 millimeters thick and can bend to a 5 millimeter radius."
Corning is making progress, but there's still a long way to go. "The back of the problem we’re trying to break, the technical challenge, is, can you keep those tight 3- to 5-millimeter bend radii and also increase the damage resistance of the glass," Bayne said.
The glass maker is also experimenting with combining its super bendable Willow Glass with its really durable Gorilla Glass. However, a breakthrough that allows for a combined bendable glass to be suitable for foldable phones is still a work in progress.
"We have glasses we’ve sampled to customers, and they’re functional, but they’re not quite meeting all the requirements," Bayne said. "People either want better performance against a drop event or a tighter bend radius. We can give them one or the other; the key is to give them both."
Bend. Unbend. Bend. Unbend.Credit: corningWhich begs the question, who has Corning sent these samples to? No doubt all kinds of companies, especially phone makers who are working on their own foldable devices.
Notably, chatter suggests Apple could be one of the companies that are looking into the foldable glass tech. Apple's reportedly working on its own foldable devices (who isn't?) and has even filed for a patent related to them.
Exciting as an iPhone that folds open into an iPad would be, let's also reel in expectations. Just because Samsung and Huawei and a handful of other Chinese phone makers are are working on foldable phones doesn't mean Apple will follow suit.
If that were the case, Apple would have released MacBooks with touchscreens years ago, mimicking Windows and Chromebooks, which have them. Same for an Apple Watch with a round display. Ditto for an iPhone without a notch, but with a "hole punch" or motorized camera mechanism.
Apple is rarely firstto embrace a new technology and usually chooses to wait until many of the early issues are resolved. Foldable phones are unproven. From the crease, to the thickness, to the software, to the price, they're just not ready yet. Samsung and Huawei are jumping the gun with foldable phones to likely curtail plateauing phone sales. Apple will likely wait it out.
If Corning or another company figures out how to make foldable glass that meets Apple's tight design tolerances, maybe(and that's a big maybe) we might see a foldable iPhone in a few years. But I wouldn't bet on it happening.
TopicsAppleiPadiPhone
(责任编辑：時尚)
Dog elected for third term as mayor of Minnesota town
Apple and Google band together to improve cell service in Puerto Rico
Will Ferrell stars in PSA campaign to remind you to put your phone awayApple and Google band together to improve cell service in Puerto Rico
Dramatic photo captures nun texting friends after Italy earthquakeCat gets stuck in the most awkward position ever
Anyone with a cat can tell you that although their cat's claws are impressive scratching and hunting
...[详细]Striking satellite images show smoke, heat from California wildfires
Fast-moving, destructive wildfires raced across parts of Napa and Sonoma County on Sunday night and
...[详细]Mike Pence disses U.S. space leadership as astronauts risk lives
On Thursday morning, Vice President Mike Pence spoke before spaceflight industry executives and gove
...[详细]This fire safety video about smoke alarms is so gloriously odd
There are few better ways to get your point across than through the medium of dance.SEE ALSO:Firefig
...[详细]Photos show the Blue Cut fire blazing a path of destruction in California
A fast moving wildfire continued raging near San Bernadino, California, forcing the evacuation of at
...[详细]This tool will help you find the perfect social good boost for your startup
Incorporating social good into your business model is no longer just a nice idea. Consumers have com
...[详细]If penne is your bae, wear this silver pasta pendant around your neck
When you love something with every fibre of your being, you want to scream it from the rooftops. For
...[详细]Giant red lightsaber flies by Sydney Opera House, thrilling 'Star Wars' fans
The force was strong with Sydney on Tuesday.In a one-off moment that'd make a porg... roar?, a giant
...[详细]Photos show the Blue Cut fire blazing a path of destruction in California
A fast moving wildfire continued raging near San Bernadino, California, forcing the evacuation of at
...[详细]Google Calendar for web just got a pretty new update
Google is rolling out new updates for the web version of Google Calendar, finally giving PC users th
...[详细]Tyler, the Creator helped Frank Ocean celebrate 'Blonde' release in a delicious way
Study proves dogs produce more facial expressions when humans are watching
