Apple is reportedly preparing to launch its first foldable iPhone next year, with Samsung Display serving as the exclusive producer of OLED panels. According to the Korean-based Chosun report, Samsung has already begun mass production and is working with multiple partners to introduce equipment and tools needed for the process. Sample production and yield stabilization are expected to ramp up later this year.
Multiple reports suggest that the foldable iPhone will feature “crease-free” technology. If true, this would be one of the biggest breakthroughs in foldable smartphone history, as users would no longer have to deal with the visible crease line that appears when unfolding the display. Current foldables, including the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Pixel 10 Pro Fold, still show a noticeable crease on the inner screen, which can be distracting during multimedia use or document editing.
Although the exact display size has not been confirmed, several reports suggest that Apple’s foldable iPhone could feature a 4:3 aspect ratio, delivering a more iPad-like experience. This would make the internal display feel closer to a tablet rather than the squarish layout seen in devices like Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold.
Samsung Display is expected to remain Apple’s sole supplier of foldable OLEDs. While LG and China’s BOE also manufacture OLED panels, LG lacks experience in producing foldable OLEDs, and BOE, though it supplies foldable OLEDs domestically but lags behind Samsung Display in technology.
According to Park Jun-seo, an analyst at Mirae Asset Securities, Apple’s foldable iPhone could ship around 8 – 10 million units in 2026, grow to 20 – 25 million units in 2027, and reach up to 45 million units by 2029.
With Apple entering the foldable space, 2026 is shaping up to be a landmark year for foldable smartphones.
