iPhone Ultra's Crease Eradication Solution
· outdoors
The Foldable Conundrum: Can Apple Finally Erase the Crease?
The prospect of an iPhone Ultra has been tantalizing consumers for months. Next week, we’ll get a glimpse at Apple’s take on foldables. As the tech giant joins the foldable fray, one issue still haunts this new category: the visible crease where the two sides meet.
Foldables’ Achilles’ Heel is more than just an aesthetic concern; it’s a design compromise born of necessity. To bend, foldable screens require materials with greater flexibility than standard displays, typically plastic polymers or ultra-thin glass. As these screens open and close, repeated stress creates a permanent crease, exacerbated by the hinge mechanism that presses on the screen.
The Honor Magic Vs serves as an example of this issue (Image credit: Tom’s Guide). For those who value flawless design, the crease can be a deal-breaker – especially considering the hefty price tag attached to these devices.
Apple is reportedly addressing this issue with three approaches. First, it’s adopting liquid metal hinges that can handle repeated bends and distribute tension evenly across the glass. Second, the panel itself will feature two layers of ultra-thin glass with varying thicknesses. The center, where the screen bends most, will be thinner to reduce crease visibility over time, while thicker edges provide impact resistance.
The optically clear adhesive glue used by Apple aims to maintain liquid properties and fill microscopic gaps that contribute to a visible crease. This might make the crease less obvious, but it’s unclear whether it’ll completely eliminate it.
Apple isn’t pioneering crease reduction; Samsung has been working on it for multiple generations. The Galaxy Z Fold 6 SE significantly reduced the crease, while claiming near-victory with the recent Galaxy Z Fold 8. However, repeated use often brings back the crease, as our Managing Editor Jason England found.
One aspect of Apple’s solution that raises eyebrows is the reliability of its hinge mechanism. Leaker Instant Digital suggested that the iPhone Ultra’s hinge would fail to meet Apple’s quality control standards after frequent opening and closing. However, with the phone expected to launch just four months later, it seems these concerns have been addressed – or were overblown.
Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reports that early testers praise the durability of the iPhone Ultra’s hinge. This is a positive sign, especially considering Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold devices can now withstand over 500,000 cycles (or ten years of use) according to the company’s own estimates.
The wait for Apple’s foldable solution is almost over – next Wednesday’s Surprise and Shine event will undoubtedly be the main focus, with the iPhone 18 Pro series and Apple Watch Series 12 also taking center stage. As we eagerly await the iPhone Ultra’s unveiling, one question lingers: can Apple finally eradicate the crease that has marred foldables for so long?
Reader Views
- MTMarko T. · expedition guide
Here's the thing: Apple's got this one right with liquid metal hinges, but what about durability? Have they thoroughly tested these hinges for long-term stress and fatigue? Foldables are all about functionality in a compact package, but if that hinge fails after 12 months of regular use, it's back to the drawing board. I'd love to see Apple provide some data on how their solution performs under extreme conditions - only then can we truly say they've solved the crease problem once and for all.
- TTThe Trail Desk · editorial
While Apple's attempts to eradicate the crease on foldable screens are laudable, it's worth questioning whether this technological challenge is being oversold as a solution. We've seen numerous reports of folding devices holding up remarkably well in real-world use, with some owners barely noticing the crease after extended periods. Perhaps what we need is a more nuanced discussion about what constitutes "usable" versus "perfect," and how manufacturers can prioritize practicality over perfection in this still-emerging category.
- JHJess H. · thru-hiker
What Apple needs to focus on is durability, not just reducing the crease's visibility. A crease that's less noticeable might be a compromise worth making if it means withstanding the rigors of backpacking through mountains or hiking in rugged terrain. But if this Ultra can't withstand drops and scratches without compromising functionality, then it's still a liability for travelers like me who rely on their devices in harsh environments.