In a significant development for the smartphone industry, Apple is poised to unveil its highly anticipated foldable iPhone, aiming for a launch in the second half of 2026. This marks Apple's first foray into the foldable market, a venture that has been long in the making due to technical challenges, primarily concerning display creasing. Recent advancements by Samsung Display have resolved this issue, paving the way for Apple's entry.
According to reports from Business Korea, the longstanding issue of crease size—a concern central to Apple's leadership—has been overcome. Samsung Display's breakthrough in display technology represents not only a crucial win for the tech giant amidst a competitive landscape but also positions Apple to potentially rely solely on them as a display supplier—a departure from its usual multi-supplier strategy that includes LG and BOE.
The forthcoming foldable iPhone will feature a sleek design with a 5.5-inch OLED cover display and a generous 7.8-inch main display, adopting a book-style foldable format. This innovative approach is set to directly compete with Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold8, further intensifying the rivalry between the two tech behemoths.
Samsung foldable display demo
As expected, the foldable iPhone will come at a premium price. Early estimates suggest a starting price exceeding $2,000, and the potential impact of recent tariffs could raise costs even further. With insiders hinting at an annual production target of 9 million to 15 million units, Apple is gearing up for what could be a transformative product launch in the foldable segment.
