Apple granted patents covering edgeless display and integrated Touch ID sensor

Apple has been granted a whopping 56 patents by the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

However, it’s two patents in particular that stand out, especially if you’ve been following the iPhone 8 rumour mill.

The first relates to Apple’s implementation of an edge-to-edge display. In the patent, the company describes how a “flexible substrate” could be used to manufacture a display panel with bendable edges, allowing for a narrower device in the process. Essentially, the company is describing the exact same manufacturing process Samsung employs to create the Galaxy S8.

The second patent, meanwhile, similarly describes a new display technology. However, it instead explains how the company would integrate a fingerprint sensor into a screen. Notably, the company explains this technology could be used with the majority of its devices, including its tablets and computers, and not just the iPhone.

Of course, neither patent proves that the iPhone 8 will feature a bezel-less display with a fingerprint sensor embedded directly inside of its display. However, it does show that company clearly considers the two features worth exploring.

[source]Patently Apple[/source]