Apple, LG reportedly working on displays for foldable iPads, Mac laptops

Apple is working with LG to develop a foldable OLED display panel with “ultra-thin” cover glass for future iPads and Mac laptops, reports The Elec.

LG unveiled a 17-inch foldable panel at CES earlier this year. At the time, the company said the new panel supports touch and stylus and was aimed at notebooks, tablets and monitors.

There have been rumors of foldable iPhones and iPads. I’ve been dubious, but Apple has filed for, and/or been granted, several patents for foldable devices. 

One is for a “foldable cover and display for an electronic device” configured to be moved between a folded configuration and an unfolded configuration by bending the cover layer along the foldable region. 

In the patent filing, Apple notes that, traditionally, electronic devices have a single form factor that may be driven by the size and shape of the display. Because many traditional displays are rigid or at least not flexible, a traditional device that is adaptable to accommodate multiple form factors includes the use of a mechanical hinge or pivot joint. 

Apple says, that however, these traditional configurations used for traditional notebook and tablet devices are” inherently limited by the integration and size required by a separate mechanical hinge.” The tech giant is looking into a flexible display that doesn’t have the limitations or drawbacks associated with some traditional solutions.