Apple continues to rely on glass as the ultimate material for its devices, and it lets us know this through its new patent. The company has registered a revolutionary design that raises the possibility of a completely glass iPhone, without visible edges or frames, with touch screens and controls on all surfaces.
This idea isn’t new, as Apple has been experimenting with integrating glass into its products for years, but this patent goes a step further by imagining an ecosystem in which not only the iPhone, but also the Apple Watch and even the Mac Pro adopt this design.
What the glass iPhone will be like
According to information filed with the U.S. Patent Office, Apple is exploring the possibility of making devices with all-glass surfaces, allowing for interactions from any angle. The patent describes an iPhone with six glass sides, where the interface would dynamically adapt based on the device’s orientation. This way, we could interact with the screen not only on the front, but also on the sides and back, offering an immersive and intuitive experience.
Beyond the futuristic aesthetic, this design could introduce new forms of control. Apple raises the possibility of pressure-sensitive surfaces, allowing the user to activate specific functions with a simple gesture, such as squeezing the edges of the iPhone to adjust the volume or pause a song. This technology is reminiscent of 3D Touch, a feature Apple implemented in previous iPhone models that allowed access to additional functions based on the pressure exerted on the screen.
The concept isn’t limited to the iPhone. The patent also includes sketches of a completely transparent Apple Watch, where the glass would wrap around the entire watch body, and a Mac Pro with an octagonal design made entirely of glass. These designs raise questions about the durability and resilience of the devices, but Apple appears to be looking for ways to make them practical and long-lasting.
Apple Watch glass
This isn’t the first time Apple has explored this idea. The company’s former chief designer, Jony Ive, dreamed of an iPhone that looked like a single piece of glass. However, technological challenges have prevented this concept from becoming a reality so far. The current patent suggests that Apple is still investigating the feasibility of these designs and may be getting closer to making them a reality.
As appealing as this concept may be, patents don’t guarantee that these devices will ever reach the market. Apple files hundreds of ideas each year, many of which never materialize into commercial products. However, the fact that the company continues to explore this design approach indicates that the future of its devices could move away from metal and aluminum to embrace a more minimalist and elegant design, where glass is the centerpiece.
Shock and scratch resistance would be a significant challenge, as would repairability in the event of a breakage. However, if anyone can revolutionize smartphone design and make this concept viable, it would undoubtedly be Apple.
