Future Apple Watch could feature a flexible display that wraps around the wrist

A future Apple Watch could come packing flexible technology that extends the display, with Apple exploring the possibility in a recently granted patent.

Since the smartwatch first launched back in 2015, it has featured the same OLED technology - though the new filing, unearthed by Foldable News, indicates a potential change could be on the horizon.

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Within the finer details of the proposal, which we'll condense, Apple notes that the technology would allow for an increase in the size of the display. So, instead of the screen ending at the watch face, it could drift onto the band itself and become an extension.

The patent also hints at separating the screen from the watch bezel entirely and having it potentially act as a second display on the watch band.

Now, naturally, the likelihood that any form of this technology will appear in an Apple Watch any time soon is fairly slim. However, less dramatic changes to the display could still be coming through the Apple Watch Series 5.

The Cupertino giant has been interested in MicroLED displays since at least 2014, when it acquired startup LuxVue. There were also reports in 2018 that a MicroLED prototype of the Apple Watch was in the works at Apple, with the benefits of the thinner display potentially leading to a more efficient screen and lower power consumption.

Whatever the case, it doesn't appear as if Apple will persist with OLED displays for too much longer. Particularly with flexible technology en vogue, it's likely the company is looking at all the options for future devices, both wearable and beyond.