The iPhone Flip, or a future foldable iPhone, could feature a unique, break-resistant display made of mixed materials as well as flexible glass. According to an updated patent, Apple proposes using ceramic particles to strengthen the protective layer of the foldable smartphone.

As PatentlyApple points out, this insight comes from a continuation patent, meaning that Apple has updated its previous patent with new information. Apple has previously protected several ideas surrounding a foldable iPhone, but this addition may reveal that the company is actively trying to make one of the best foldable phones ever.

The accompanying image of the patent shows how Apple's special crack-resistant display works in a device that folds horizontally and vertically. iPhone Flip, loosely named iPhone, resembles the phablet-shaped Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 or the clamshell Motorola Razr, but we do know that Apple has tested (or is testing) both orientations of the flexible display.

Since there is no guarantee that these blueprints will see the light of day, we usually recommend taking patents with a grain of salt. In fact, they rarely see the light of day. However, given the growing backlog of patents for foldable iPhones and the practical nature of this application, it seems like a realistic pitch.

Existing foldable phones already combine a variety of materials to create malleable designs. Most of these devices employ a mixture of plastic and glass that can withstand bending. However, smartphone makers have not been able to eliminate the sense of fragility that haunts foldable displays.

Apple has proposed a proprietary protective layer that incorporates ceramic, a key material in the iPhone 12's Ceramic Shield screen. Ceramic has also been touted as a premium case option for the Apple Watch.

But is ceramic the key to a successful foldable phone? There is no way to know if Apple will put this patent plan into action when it puts the iPhone Flip and other foldable devices into production. However, we do know that they will not risk following in the footsteps of the first generation Samsung Galaxy Fold. We expect the first foldable iPhone to double down on durability.

The latest leaks indicate that the iPhone Flip will be available in 2022 or 2023. If you want a foldable, it would be faster to look at the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 or the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3. Otherwise, a non-folding iPhone 13 is expected this fall.