Your future iPhone may have a screen that heals itself

Apple has been the subject of many rumors regarding its potential foldable devices, but the wait may be worth it.

A newly discovered patent hints at a unique feature that could set the future Apple apart in the foldable phone market.

Will self-healing screens come to iPhone?

According to Android Authority, a patent has been filed with the United States Patent and Trade Office (USPTO) detailing a device with a self-healing screen. This technology could be applied to a range of devices including laptops, tablets, smartphones, monitors or wearables. The patent specifies, however, that the self-healing material could cover the entire screen or only the flexible part of it.

The document describes the automatic self-healing process, in which the material fills in dents and scratches without external intervention. Alternatively, healing can be hastened by heat, light or electric current. There are also mentions of heat-induced healing which could occur while charging or on a set schedule.

This wouldn’t be the first example of self-healing technology in consumer gadgets. LG had already introduced this feature in 2013 with its G Flex smartphones, which allowed minor scratches on the back to be repaired. However, the technology had its limits and faced deeper damage.

Applying it to foldable phone screens, which are more prone to scratches due to their plastic nature, could be revolutionary. But it is important to note that this is simply a patent filing. There is no certainty that Apple will implement this technology in its products.