One of the things that smartphone users fear most is dropping or rubbing their phone. That’s why almost everyone uses phone cases to protect their phone. A new patent application by Apple reveals that this problem may disappear on iPhones in the future.
According to AppleInsider, the technology giant has filed a patent application with the US Trademark Patent Office (USPTO). The patent shows that the iPhone can become scratch resistant.
Apple wants to do this by combining materials with different benefits.
In its patent application, Apple states that “Phones, watches, tablets may come into contact with various surfaces, which may cause the surface of the device to deteriorate or wear”, while stating that the materials used in iPhones have their own advantages and disadvantages.
For example, Apple says it can block signals while metal can resist dents, scratches, or breaks. On the other hand, ceramics can be transparent to signals, but can be fragile. In addition, plastic can both transmit signals and be strong; however, it can be resistant to scratches.
Here, the company says that as a solution to this, more than one material can be used for iPhone cases. In the patent, each of the materials will have different benefits; but it is said that they will all serve the same general purpose. It is also added that the wear-resistant part may consist of ceramic and metal.
But to do this, Apple needs to place these materials at a distance of 10 to 100 microns (micron: one thousandth of a millimeter). There is no information on how to do such a thing.
It is not possible to say for sure whether Apple will turn this patent into reality. Such companies frequently apply for such patents; however, very few of them actually appear in products.
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