14 DAY TRIAL // While the 2018 iPhone product lineup would only include hardware upgrades over the current model and possibly a larger Plus-sized version, Apple is believed to be looking into several major improvements for the next few years, including changes in the battery department.
A patent discovered recently and called “Flexible battery structure” shows that one idea that Apple has been looking into comes down to equipping its devices a new type of battery allowing for a long list of improvements.
Without a doubt, the first real benefit of a flexible battery is the improved design of the device using it, as the iPhone itself could step closer to a flexible form factor as well.
It’s being rumored that Apple is exploring the foldable screen concept, and this new battery design could help the company achieve this purpose. Rumor has it a foldable iPhone could see daylight in 2019 or 2020, while other manufacturers, including Samsung, are looking into bringing similar concepts to the market at about the same time.
Making the most of space inside the phone
At the same time, a flexible battery enables Apple to use the space inside a device in a more effective way. Without the traditional rectangular shape, but using a battery design that can adapt to the space available under the hood, the iPhone can receive a substantial upgrades in terms of battery life should this patent ever make it to production.
Apple has already explored this area with the debut of the iPhone X, which uses an L-shaped battery layout, and the company could continue its investments in this regard with a flexible unit.
But as with everything in patent stage, there is no confirmation that this technology could enter mass-production. On the other hand, it provides us with a glimpse into Apple’s vision for its next-generation devices, and a flexible battery definitely aligns with this new push towards foldable phones.