Samsung is ahead of the game when it comes to foldable phones, and there are several other brands that are already selling their own models in the market. Apple has yet to release a foldable device of its own and with the reported patent application, it might just have a better device in store.

Apple's Rumored 'Stretchable Display'

Screens that can bend are old news, but it's still a hit with consumers who want their phones to fold to a smaller size when not in use. Imagine what prospective buyers would think once there's a device with a stretchable display in the market.

Apple has reportedly submitted a patent application titled "Stretchable Display," which could be the start of a new lineup of devices from the iPhone maker when the screen can be wrapped around surfaces and not just fold into itself.

According to Interesting Engineering, the applications lists 55 inventors for the technology, which is a high number considering that it usually only ranges around one to 10 inventors, so it might just be something that would revolutionize displays.

In just 13 images and 22 pages, the application could only be showing the basics of the concept, but it was described as "a display with a stretchable portion with hermetically sealed rigid pixel islands."

There was no mention of how the stretchable display would be used, but there are a great number of things Apple can apply it to. For one, they could finally release foldable phones that might not have a visible crease like all available models on the market.

It can also be applied to computers wherein the display could be curved, which has been around for a while, especially in monitors meant for gaming. If the company wants to, they can create a smartwatch with a screen that can wrap around the user's wrist.

Read Also: Apple is Reportedly Already Working on iOS 19

An Improved Apple Watch May Be On the Way

According to the reports from Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the first device to see the stretchable display might be the Apple Watch, as he said we might see an "improved form factor" for the next model that the tech giant would release.

A different patent shows a display module with rounded edges that extends across the entire watch face, as explained by Gizmodo. About half of the watch would be a rectangular screen while the other half would be the strap. 

The flexible display could be "adjusted to the contour of a user's arm," which means that even though it has a bigger display, it will not feel too bulky. Apple won't be the first to do this, however, as the Nubia Watch already has this kind of design.

The existing model does tell us what to expect from Apple's rumored new smartwatch, as well as the things that can be improved. For instance, some users complain that they have to twist their wrists just to get all the information displayed on the screen. Of course, Apple will have to design a new interface that fits the design.

Related: Samsung Will Soon Present Its New Foldable Phone This July 26th