The foldable iPhone Flip may be a long way off, but one of the model's most unique features may have been revealed.

We know this because Patently Apple has discovered an Apple patent for a new kind of fabric hinge. The patent mentions smartphones, leading us to conclude that it could be related to the foldable iPhone, but it also suggests that it could be used on iPad and MacBook models, as well as accessories such as an improved version of the iPad Smart Cover

The most awkward part of a foldable device is the hinge, which is often bulky and ugly due to the engineering required to fulfill its role. Plastic can be used as a substitute, but it lacks sturdiness and is not as easy to use. Hence, the idea of using cloth was born.

The design discussed in the patent is a cloth hinge with several interlocking layers to ensure that the two sides are securely connected. The hinge could also include an "electrical pathway," which would allow the two sides of the device to connect together and work together more easily.

Jon Prosser, a frequent leaker of Apple information, responded to Patently Apple's article with a tweet indicating his agreement with the idea that the iPhone Flip might feature a hinge rather than a foldable display. However, fellow leaker OnLeaks was not convinced that the patent reflected an upcoming product.

We recently heard that Apple's foldable iPhone would feature a two-screen design modeled after LG's G8X ThinQ and Microsoft's upcoming Surface Duo, rather than the "foldable tablet" style of Samsung's Galaxy Fold. This patent appears to confirm that.

The Galaxy Fold 2 is expected to be unveiled within a few weeks, and rumors suggest it will feature a mechanical hinge similar to the original. The first model faced well-known problems with debris collecting on the hinge and damaging the display, but the company says it has addressed those issues. We hope that the use of a fabric hinge will eliminate these problems entirely.

In the meantime, we can enjoy the upcoming iPhone 12, which, while not a dramatic change to the iPhone formula, will still bring many upgrades. The latest rumors suggest four models with OLED displays, a more powerful A14 Bionic chipset, better cameras, a 120Hz screen refresh rate on the "Pro" model, and a LiDAR depth sensor as part of the rear camera array The "Pro" model will have a 120Hz screen refresh rate and a LiDAR depth sensor as part of the rear camera array.