Apple Patented a Foldable iPhone in 2011 — and the Man Behind It Is Now CEO
In 2011, Apple filed a patent for a "foldable electronic device with a locking hinge." One of the co-authors was a then-36-year-old engineer named John Ternus, who would go on to shape the company's most iconic products for over a decade.
The 2011 Patent
The patent, registered under number US8929085B2, describes a device with a flexible display and a hinge mechanism designed to lock at various angles. This was a remarkably early vision of what we now call foldable smartphones — years before Samsung or Huawei brought their own versions to market.
The locking hinge was the critical innovation, allowing the device to hold its position firmly at different folding angles. Apple's approach focused on mechanical precision, ensuring the display would not wrinkle or crease during repeated use.
John Ternus: The Architect
At the time of the patent filing, John Ternus was a young but ambitious engineer with a clear trajectory inside Apple. His involvement in the foldable device project signaled early on that he was trusted with cutting-edge hardware concepts.
Just two years later, in 2013, Ternus was reassigned to oversee the development of AirPods. This marked his first major product leadership role, taking him away from the foldable iPhone work for the foreseeable future.
A Career Path Through Apple's Core
After AirPods, Ternus moved on to lead the iPad and Mac product lines. Under his watch, Apple shipped the M1-powered iPad Pro and the transition of Macs to Apple Silicon — both defining moments in the company's recent history.
Ternus would not return to iPhone development until 2020, when he was finally brought back to oversee the flagship product line. That nine-year gap between the foldable patent and his return to iPhone work makes the story of the iPhone Duo all the more compelling.
The iPhone Duo Connection
The iPhone Duo is widely believed to be the direct descendant of that 2011 patent — a device Ternus never stopped thinking about. Industry insiders now view it as the culmination of his entire career, the product he was always meant to deliver.
The patent's core concept — a foldable display with a locking hinge — maps directly onto the rumored design of the iPhone Duo. Ternus's early work laid the technical foundation, even as other projects consumed his time.
A Two-Week CEO
Ternus has been in the CEO chair at Apple for only two weeks as of this writing. Yet his appointment has reignited speculation that the iPhone Duo is finally ready to ship.
His rapid ascent — from a patent co-author in 2011 to the top executive role — reflects Apple's confidence in his long-term vision. No other candidate for the CEO position had such a deep, personal connection to a single unreleased product.
What the Patent Reveals
The US8929085B2 patent describes more than just a hinge. It covers the entire architecture of a foldable device: the flexible display layer, the structural support, and the locking mechanism that prevents accidental folding or unfolding.
The hinge itself uses interlocking components that engage at preset angles, offering tactile feedback to the user. This is precisely the kind of mechanical engineering that Ternus specialized in during his early years at Apple.
The Timeline of a Vision
2011 — Patent filed with Ternus as co-author. 2013 — Ternus moves to AirPods, putting foldable work on hold. 2020 — He returns to iPhone leadership, reviving the project. 2024 — Ternus becomes CEO, with the iPhone Duo rumored for release.
Each step of this timeline reveals a company carefully nurturing a long-term hardware ambition. The 13 years between patent and possible product launch is unprecedented in Apple's history.
Why the Locking Hinge Matters
Foldable phones historically failed due to weak hinge designs that allowed the screen to flex unevenly. Apple's patented locking hinge solves this with a series of rotating gears that lock into place at 0, 90, and 180 degrees.
This mechanical approach ensures the display remains perfectly flat when open and fully protected when closed. It also enables a "tent" mode for media viewing, a feature competitors have struggled to replicate smoothly.
Ternus's Other Legacy Products
While the iPhone Duo may be his passion project, Ternus's tenure at AirPods produced the AirPods Pro with active noise cancellation. His Mac leadership delivered the M1, M2, and M3 chips — each a generational leap in performance.
The iPad line under his watch saw the introduction of iPadOS and the Apple Pencil ecosystem. All these products share a common thread: precise engineering and tight hardware-software integration.
The Return to iPhone
When Ternus returned to iPhone in 2020, he inherited a mature product line that had plateaued in design innovation. His mandate was to find the next big leap — and the foldable patent was sitting right there.
Rumors of a foldable iPhone had circulated for years, but Ternus had the authority and the technical background to push it forward. His early patent experience made him uniquely qualified to revive the project.
What This Means for Apple
The iPhone Duo would represent Apple's first entirely new form factor since the iPhone X in 2017. With Ternus at the helm, the company is signaling a willingness to take hardware risks again.
The patent's existence also suggests Apple has been developing foldable technology in secret for over a decade. This is not a rushed response to competitors but a carefully matured engineering effort.
Technical Specifications from the Patent
The patent specifies a flexible OLED display with a thickness of less than 1 millimeter. The hinge mechanism comprises multiple cylindrical gears with a locking pin that engages at each fold angle.
The device is described as having a hinge housing made of stainless steel or titanium. The locking mechanism uses a spring-loaded detent that provides a tactile click when the device reaches a preset position.
The Human Element
Ternus's personal story — from a 36-year-old engineer to CEO in 13 years — mirrors Apple's own evolution from a computer company to a hardware ecosystem giant. His career is a case study in long-term product stewardship.
The fact that he maintained the foldable vision through AirPods, iPad, and Mac assignments shows remarkable focus. Most executives would have abandoned such a speculative project long ago.
Competitive Landscape
Samsung released its first Galaxy Fold in 2019, eight years after Apple's patent. The gap between Apple's patent and any actual product is a testament to the company's patience.
While competitors shipped foldables with visible creases and fragile screens, Apple waited to perfect the locking hinge. If the iPhone Duo launches, it will likely set a new standard for foldable durability.
The Future of the iPhone Duo
With Ternus now CEO, the iPhone Duo has its strongest champion in the most powerful position at Apple. The product is reportedly in final testing, with a possible launch in 2025.
The 2011 patent was not a random experiment — it was a strategic bet on the future of mobile computing. John Ternus was there at the beginning, and now he is positioned to deliver on that vision.
A Career Defined by One Patent
Most engineers file patents they never see realized. Ternus's story is different — he filed a patent, spent nine years away from the project, and returned to lead it as CEO.
The iPhone Duo may not carry the patent number US8929085B2 on its packaging, but it will carry the spirit of that 2011 filing. This is a rare case where a single document foreshadows an entire career arc.
The Bottom Line
Apple's foldable iPhone has been in development for over a decade, and its chief architect is now the company's CEO. The locking hinge patent from 2011 is the Rosetta Stone for understanding Apple's next major product.
John Ternus waited 13 years to see his vision through. With his promotion to CEO, the wait may finally be over for the iPhone Duo — and for Apple's entry into the foldable era.