Apple gets actually closer to folding iPhones.

Detail from the patent showing the thinned out part of the display
Apple has a lot of evidence that it will make a folding iPhone and iPad. The company was granted a patent on a specific issue with glass displays. Aside from a rather sketchy claim that Apple had simply given up on a folding iPhone, most rumors indicate it’s almost here. Apple is reportedly working on two different models. There have been numerous patent applications. Apple’s patent application entitled “Electronic Devices With durable Folding Displays” has now been granted. It’s not a complete design for a folding screen, but it does cover a key part of how two halves can be joined. Apple says that a recess can be formed along the bend axis in the glass layer. The recess could be a flexible, locally thinned layer in the glass layer that allows it to bend around the bend axis. Apple’s idea would be to have the glass display taper towards the center. Apple may be thinking of a folding display as two regular displays placed on either side a hinge. However, they would still benefit by being thinner at the key area. Most patents focus on a single key point even if they try to sound like their idea is applicable to a wide range future uses. The patent does have two main themes. The first is to make the glass thinner in the sections that need to be bent or intersected. The second option is to make the glass of that same display thicker. Apple continues, “corner and edge portions of display cover layers may be provided with greater thickening relative to other portions outside of the locally-thinned portion.” The patent shows where the thinned-glass would be required in an iPhone fold. An iPhone or iPad will suffer the most damage when a corner of the device hits the ground. This could be an example of Apple anticipating a future need and addressing a current one. Apple files for thousands of patents each year. Even if a patent is granted, that does not guarantee that a product using it will be produced.