Although the iPhone 6 and the iPhone 6 Plus were launched only a few months ago, rumors about Apple’s upcoming handset are already flooding the net. In that context, we decided to take a peek into the future and look at some amazing Apple patents for the next iPhone. The company’s patent portfolio is vast and very interesting, so after examining it, we chose the most likely patents to feature on the next iPhone along with the most exciting ones: so modern and avant-garde they are likely to make you get in line for that next iPhone model.
The Apple revolution includes iPhones, iPads, Macs and many other products. But for the firm, another great source of innovation and profit is apps. Whether you are an Apple fan or a regular Apple user, you know that applications are a key feature to their devices. You should check out our list on The Top 15 Best-Selling Apps for Apple’s iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch and explore the most popular apps for iOS, which may yet be hanging around in popularity when some of these amazing Apple patents for the next iPhone make their debut (along with the phone itself, natch).
Now then, let’s take a look at the countdown and find out which amazing Apple patents for the next iPhone we can’t wait to see in action.
7. Camera Patents
Apple’s next iPhone could feature one or more of the several camera patents the company has been working on. Some of them include a thinner camera that would result in a thinner handset, optical image stabilization that would result in super resolution photos, and refocus-able photographs. But the two most interesting Apple projects are 3D photographs and interchangeable camera lenses. The latter is a two-lens system that will allow users to capture images with DSLR quality.
Six more amazing Apple patents for the next iPhone can be found on the next pages. Check them out.
6. Reversible USB Charger
A new charger may not be the most exciting news about the upcoming iPhone, but it is definitely useful information. The new iPhone charger will come with a Lightning connector on one end and a reversible USB connector on the other end. Rumor has it that a new dock with a flexible Lightning connector is also on its way!
5. Touch ID Display
With this patent, the entire display of the iPhone as we know it could be changed. Basically, the ID fingerprint sensor which is situated beneath the Home button at the moment would be directly built-in to the entire display. With this patent, the Home button would be eliminated and the new iPhone would feature a larger display, with no need to enlarge the handset itself.
4. Facial Recognition
As far as I’m concerned, this is probably one of the most futuristic patents that the upcoming iPhone could present. The current Touch ID sensor would be overthrown and give way to a newer and more advanced security measure: facial recognition. As if unlocking your device using your fingerprint wasn’t safe enough, Apple is developing a facial detection and recognition technology through which you yourself would become the password to unlock your iPhone.
3. Sapphire Glass Screen
Before the iPhone 6 was released, various rumors indicated that it would come with a sapphire screen. When this didn’t happen and the iPhone 6 was launched with a screen of Corning’s Gorilla Glass, the problems of sapphire came to light. Sapphire is supposed to be an unbreakable and unscratchable material, but Apple still needs to work out some issues including its thickness, its price, its brightness and its higher consumption of battery life. However, sapphire is still used on the iPhone’s camera and on some Apple Watches; maybe if the obstacles it presents can be overcome in the near future, the next iPhone’s screen will be unbreakable.
2. Sidewall Displays
With this patent, Apple could launch a new iPhone with an extended touchscreen, not only covering the front of the device but also its sides and edges. Similar to the display of the Samsung Galaxy Note Edge, the upcoming Apple handset may include touchscreen sidewalls that could be used to control the music player, unlock the smartphone, display app icons, system controls and much more.
1. Glasses-free 3D display
However unlikely an iPhone with a glasses-free 3D display may sound, Apple’s patent on this project shows that the firm’s upcoming handset might be more groundbreaking and surrealistic than you ever imagined. Rumor has it that Apple is already working on the software and hardware to make the naked-eye 3D display possible. The future is coming much faster than you think!
