In a strategic pivot, Apple will rely on Samsung Display’s advanced crease-free screen technology for its long-anticipated foldable iPhone, slated for mass production in the second half of 2026, according to a detailed analysis by TF International Securities’ Ming-Chi Kuo. The move signals Apple’s prioritization of proven manufacturing stability over in-house display designs for its inaugural foldable device.
Engineering the Invisible Fold
Samsung Display—already deep into production preparations at its dedicated Asan, South Korea facility, has overcome a critical hurdle: minimizing the visible crease that plagues current foldables. The breakthrough involves ultra-precise laser-drilled microstructures within hinge-mounted metal plates, engineered by Korean supplier Fine M-Tec. These plates dynamically redistribute mechanical stress when the screen bends, preventing permanent deformation. The technology far surpasses conventional etching methods, though it adds significant cost: $30–$35 per plate versus $20 for etching.
“Crease-free durability isn’t just a luxury for Apple, it’s non-negotiable,” notes display industry consultant Rachel Kim, echoing Kuo’s assertion that Samsung’s solution was chosen to “ensure stable mass production.” The displays will also integrate touch sensors directly into the OLED panel (in-cell touch), reducing thickness by 19% versus Samsung’s current Galaxy Z Fold screens.
A Calculated Supply Chain Gamble
Apple’s dependence on a single display supplier is unusual but pragmatic. Samsung Display’s eight-year head start supplying foldable panels for its Galaxy Z series gives it unrivaled production yields, a key factor when targeting initial shipments of 13–15 million units. Competitors like China’s BOE, which supplies Huawei, remain unable to meet Apple’s stringent quality thresholds for brightness, color accuracy, and crease resistance.
Samsung is converting an entire production line exclusively for Apple, aiming for 35,000 monthly sheets of 6th-gen OLED substrate, which is enough for 1.25 million foldable panels monthly. This exclusivity solidifies Samsung’s dominance through at least 2026.
Market Impact: Revitalizing a Stagnant Segment
Apple’s entry comes as the foldable market faces alarming headwinds. Global shipments grew just 2.9% in 2024 and are projected to shrink in 2025, with foldables capturing a meager 1.5% of total smartphone sales 24. Persistent durability concerns and premium pricing, Kuo expects Apple’s device to cost $2,000–$2,500, have deterred mainstream adoption.
Yet analysts argue Apple’s brand power could reignite demand. Counterpoint Research’s Jene Park acknowledges 2025’s “negative growth” but predicts 2026 will be “exciting and rejuvenating” with Apple’s entry. The foldable iPhone could also buoy Apple’s iPhone revenue, which hit $46.84 billion last quarter but faces pressure as traditional smartphone innovation plateaus.
Design Trade-Offs and Industry Implications
To accommodate the folding mechanism, Apple is reportedly sacrificing Face ID, embedding Touch ID into the power button instead, a concession to internal space constraints. Early prototypes also feature an under-display camera on the inner screen and a hole-punch front camera externally.
Critically, Apple’s embrace of Samsung’s display tech validates foldable-specific R&D after years of industry skepticism. As display analyst Han Chang-wook observes, “Samsung could maintain market dominance through 2026 as the sole supplier of Apple’s folding iPhone”. This partnership may finally push crease-free displays from niche novelty to mainstream expectation, setting a new bar for Huawei, Oppo, and Google’s future foldables.
Sources: Multiple reports from TF International Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, CNBC, Korea JoongAng Daily, SamMobile, MacRumors, and Patently Apple.
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