Apple is reportedly preparing to enter the foldable smartphone market, with its first foldable iPhone expected to launch in the second half of 2026. According to fresh reports, the tech giant has finalized Samsung Display as the exclusive supplier of OLED panels for its foldable device, owing to Samsung’s success in minimizing the crease on folding screens.
Samsung to Supply OLED Panels for Foldable iPhone by Late 2025
A report from BusinessKorea claims that Samsung Display will begin manufacturing OLED panels for Apple’s foldable iPhone by late 2025 or early 2026. The foldable iPhone is expected to feature a 5.5-inch cover display and a larger 7.8-inch inner screen.
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Apple’s decision to partner with Samsung was reportedly influenced by Samsung’s advanced crease-reduction technology — a factor that edged out competitors like LG Display and BOE (Jingdongfang) for this high-stakes contract.
Foldable iPhone Production and Market Competition
While exact production numbers remain uncertain, estimates suggest Apple could produce up to 15 million units of the foldable iPhone — an increase from earlier forecasts of 9 million units. The device is expected to enter a competitive market, going head-to-head with foldable offerings from Samsung, Oppo, OnePlus, Huawei, Vivo, and Honor.
In addition to hardware advancements, the foldable iPhone is rumored to adopt an “almost” 4:3 aspect ratio, similar to Apple’s iPad Air and iPad Pro. This approach may help Apple deliver seamless app compatibility across its foldable and tablet devices.
With this move, Apple aims to establish its footprint in the foldable smartphone market, setting the stage for a new wave of premium iPhones.
