The Apple Watch 7 could feature a flexible wraparound display after six generations of consistent design.
According to a new Apple patent discovered by MacRumors, the Apple Watch design fits the wearer's wrist. This would not only be a radical departure from the square aesthetics of current Apple Watch models, but would also provide a design that would set it apart from other smartwatches like the striking Samsung Galaxy Watch 3.
Several Apple Watch patents have been seen before, including one for an Apple Watch with a circular face, but previous concepts seem archaic compared to this new one. A patent filed with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) shows an integrated display that bends and moves with the smartwatch band.
Like many good smartwatches, the Apple Watch has numerous watch bands and straps that can be interchanged. To maintain its level of personalization, the patented wearable allows users to swap in digitally customizable bands.
However, if Apple chooses to go in this direction, the smartwatch will be open for all kinds of new features, as the display will not be limited to the traditional watch face area.
Another advantage of flexible displays is the fact that Apple can shrink the bezel or eliminate it altogether. According to the patent, bezels can be "less than 4-5 mm, or less than 1 mm, or less than 0.5 mm, or eliminated."
We are already seeing flexible displays in TVs and smartphones, like Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 2 and Oppo's new rollable device. The technology exists, it's just a matter of supporting it in a way that maintains the durability and competitive price point of the Apple Watch. Apple will not rush out a flexible Apple Watch while making the same mistakes that Samsung made with its first attempt at the Galaxy Fold.
This is not the only device with a flexible display that Apple is envisioning. According to reports, the tech giant is working on rumors of a clamshell foldable iPhone Flip, similar to Samsung's Galaxy Z Flip.
Just as one should not expect a foldable iPhone, a foldable Apple Watch probably won't appear anytime soon. It definitely won't happen with the Apple Watch 7, but it would give Apple's flagship model a significant advantage over the upcoming Samsung Galaxy Watch 4.
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