iPhone 7 Release Date, Specs & Features: Bendable Device in the Works?

Rumors are saying that a flexible iPhone 7 is already on the way.

This came after the United States Patent and Trademark Office granted Apple a patent to create a flexible device. The patent was filed in 2011. In the abstract, it said that the "flexible electronic device may include a flexible display, a flexible housing and one or more flexible internal components configured to allow the flexible electronic device to be deformed."

The statement added:

"Flexible displays may include flexible display layers, flexible touch-sensitive layers, and flexible display cover layers. The flexible housing may be a multi-stable flexible housing having one or more stable positions. The flexible housing may include a configurable support structure that, when engaged, provides a rigid support structure for the flexible housing. The flexible internal components may include flexible batteries, flexible printed circuits or other flexible components. A flexible battery may include flexible and rigid portions or may include a lubricious separator layer that provides flexibility for the flexible battery. A flexible printed circuit may include flexible and rigid portions or openings that allow some rigid portions to flex with respect to other rigid portions."

Could this really mean that a flexible iPhone 7 is already on the way?

The Motley Fool says that the patent is not a guarantee as not all of these will surely become actual products. However, there is still a possibility that it could push through in the next generation of Apple products. Aside from the flexibility feature, it also revealed that Apple has also ordered its supplier Foxonn to make OLED displays for its upcoming products. It noted that the factory is targeting 2016 and 2017 for the production of the OLED screens which are said to be used on Apple's wearable devices and five-inch phones. With this on hand, Motley Fool is speculating that a soon to be released iPhone could possibly feature a flexible OLED display.

It was earlier speculated by Design and Trend that the new iPhone might possibly get a facial recognition feature and a camera upgrade, which could reach as high as 21 megapixel camera with DSLR-quality lens. Aside from that, it also aired the possibility of the phone getting a built-in projector.

Stabley Times was the first to report that two iPhones are scheduled to hit the market this year -- the iPhone 6S and the iPhone 7. It said the iPhone 7 will be out in September, following the spring release of the iPhone 6S.

The Telegraph noted that the report regarding Apple's new flexible patent came after the company received complaints regarding its recently released iPhone 6 Plus that reportedly bent after being placed in the pockets. It also suggests that it also came after its rival LG unveiled it G Flex 2 during the Consumer Electronics Show.

Apple has not yet responded or issued any statement or comment regarding the said rumors.