Apple Is Testing A Foldable Device With Colored E-Ink Display
Photo 205685474 © Aksitaykut | Dreamstime.com
Apple’s anticipated foldable iPhone could combine elements of both the Kindle and the likes of the Samsung Galaxy Fold. As detailed by Ming-Chi Kuo, arguably the most reputed analyst when it comes to predictions for upcoming tech products, the Cupertino giant is experimenting with electronic ink for a foldable—a first for the industry.
Kuo outlines in a tweet that Apple is testing E Ink’s Electronic Paper Display (EPD) as the cover screen or secondary display on a foldable device. He foresees that this could set a trend for the flexible phone market due to the power-saving capabilities of E Ink, which can preserve gadgets’ battery life for weeks on a single charge.
Apple is testing E Ink's Electronic Paper Display (EPD) for future foldable device's cover screen & tablet-like applications. The color EPD has the potential to become a mainstream solution for foldable devices' must-have cover/second screen thanks to its excellent power-saving.
— éƒæ˜ŽéŒ¤ (Ming-Chi Kuo) (@mingchikuo) May 17, 2022
The E Ink outer display would also be colored, presenting as a sleek and low-energy alternative for the OLED external screens currently adopted by rivals to showcase notifications and the time on foldable smartphones.
As Macworld quotes, E Ink’s latest e-paper—the Gallery 3—features a “full-color gamut” based on a particle ink system of cyan, magenta, yellow, and white. In addition, the technology has the responsiveness to play videos and animations, so a colored electronic ink display for the iPhone is certainly attainable.
The E Ink Gallery 3 colored ePaper. Image via E Ink / Business Wire
The E Ink Gallery 3 colored ePaper. Image via E Ink / Business Wire
It remains to be known if the energy-conserving screen will feature on the first foldable iPhone, which is expected to make it to market in 2025, at the earliest.
In a similar vein, Apple recently won a patent for “virtual paper” that can project 2D and 3D visuals and can be crumpled. This project, however, appears to be envisioned for AR/VR applications.
[via TechCrunch and Macworld, images via various sources]
