Apple's long-awaited foldable iPhone continues to be at the center of rumors and speculations. Despite all the rumored features, no confirmations have been made by the company.
Recently, a trusted insider on Weibo revealed that the iPhone maker is developing the hinge with liquid metal, a highly durable material that is stronger than titanium.
How Strong is the Liquid Metal Hinge?
Liquid metal, or an amorphous alloy/metallic glass, has unmatched stiffness, which makes it a perfect candidate for the hinge of a foldable device.
The material, as reported by Setsuna Digital on Chinese blogging platform Weibo, is 2.5 times stronger than titanium, which guarantees that the hinge will not deform or bend despite repeated folding and pressure.
Famous Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo had earlier predicted that Apple could use liquid metal in the iPhone Fold's hinge to enhance the device's durability. With its resistance to bending and deformation, the liquid metal hinge is predicted to extend the life of the foldable iPhone while ensuring structural integrity.
Display Crease Reduction for a Smooth Fold
One of the greatest challenges facing foldable devices is the visible crease that appears along the fold when used for an extended period. Yet Apple's new hinge design would potentially minimize or eliminate this problem. The good news, according to GSM Arena, is that the structural rigidity of the liquid metal hinge offers strong support for the bendable screen. This also avoids excessive bending and pressure on the OLED panel.
Apple is said to be working with its hardware partners to develop the flexible OLED technology to a stage where the display is not only smooth but also crease-free in the long run.
We could expect a seamless folding experience from the foldable iPhone thanks to the improve elements of the hinge and the advanced display technology.
Increasing the Longevity of the Foldable iPhone
The addition of a liquid metal hinge enhances not just the durability but also the overall life of the device. Foldable phones tend to wear out through repeated folding and unfolding, but with the strength provided by amorphous alloys, Apple's foldable iPhone is likely to last long.
Furthermore, the pressure resistance of the liquid metal guarantees that the hinge remains functional even after heavy use. This would render Apple's foldable iPhone a dominant choice in the crowded foldable smartphone market.
With the way things are going, it seems that Apple is taking its time to make the foldable iPhone perfect. Although other players have already started selling foldable smartphones, the company's emphasis on issues of durability and display means it is aiming to create a better foldable for the market.
