Google patents metal phone frames that act as antennas
Google describes a way to turn the metal body of a device into a working antenna by cutting specific slots in the frame and back panel. These cuts electrically separate parts of the metal so different sections can handle different wireless signals.
In the filing’s own words
An antenna system that allows portions of a metal enclosure of an electronic device to function as antenna elements. Different portions of the enclosure can be configured to operate as multiple distinct antenna elements for various wireless communication applications.
What exactly they claim (claim 1)
1. An antenna system for an electronic device comprising: a metal outer enclosure comprising: a back panel defining a back cover of the metal outer enclosure; a side frame that extends about a periphery of the back panel, the side frame includes a first side frame portion opposite a second side frame portion and a top end frame portion that extends between the first side frame portion and the second side frame portion; a first antenna split defined in a first side slot defined through the first side frame portion, which electrically isolates the first side frame portion from the top end frame portion; and a second antenna split defined in a second side slot defined through the second side frame portion, which electrically isolates the top end frame portion from the second side frame portion; and a bar antenna split defined in a channel defined through the back panel, the channel extending between the first side slot and the second side slot to define an upper enclosure portion separate from a lower enclosure portion, the bar antenna split extending between the first antenna split and the second antenna split.
Facts
- Company
- Google (Google LLC)
- Official title
- Antenna Systems For Metal Electronic Device Enclosures
- Publication number
- US20260331773A1
- Application number
- 19328738
- Filed
- Sep 15, 2025
- Published
- Oct 22, 2026
- Inventors
- 2
- Claims
- 15
Classified under
H01Q 5/307 Electricity & electronicsH01Q 3/24 Electricity & electronicsH01Q 5/20 Electricity & electronicsMore from Google in Chips & hardware
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Summaries are simplified from the filing’s own abstract and first claim. A patent filing is not a product announcement.
Patent data and drawings: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Nebula is not affiliated with or endorsed by the USPTO.