CES 2026 offered an early look at the folding screen technology Apple is expected to use in its first foldable iPhone. On the show floor, a new OLED panel appeared next to a Galaxy Z Fold 7. Unlike today’s foldable screens, this one showed no visible crease when opened or viewed from different angles.
The contrast was easy to see. The Galaxy Z Fold 7 already reduces crease visibility, but the fold line still appears in certain light. The newer panel looked smooth across the hinge. Text stayed even across the fold, no matter how you held the device. For Apple, which demands tight display standards, this matters.
Crease Is Disappearing
Samsung says (via SamMobile) the new panel delivers “seamless text across the fold.” That result comes from a redesigned internal structure. The panel uses a laser-drilled metal display plate that spreads stress when the screen bends. By controlling how the display flexes, the design prevents the sharp fold that usually causes a visible crease.
Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo previously said that both the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Apple’s foldable iPhone will use this same type of metal plate. The part is expected to come from the South Korean firm Fine M-Tec. While Apple will use its own panel structure and materials, the core idea remains the same. Reduce stress. Remove the crease.
Apple’s Design Will Still Look Different
Even if the technology is shared, the final result will not be identical. Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 7 measures 6.5 inches when closed and 8 inches when open. It uses a tall, narrow design.
In contrast, reports suggest Apple’s foldable iPhone will be smaller when closed and wider when open. Rumors point to roughly 5.3 to 5.5 inches folded and 7.5 to 7.8 inches unfolded. That would give Apple’s device a more square, tablet-like layout. The viewing experience will differ, even if the crease-free approach stays the same.
Samsung removed the test booth early, without explanation. Still, the message was clear. Foldable displays no longer have to show a crease. This change also raises expectations for long-term durability, another common concern with foldable phones. If stress spreads evenly across the panel, the screen should age better over time.
If Samsung uses this panel in the Galaxy Z Fold 8, the phone could fix one of the biggest complaints about foldables. Apple stands to benefit from the same progress.
The Galaxy Z Fold 8 is expected later this year. Apple’s foldable iPhone is rumored to enter mass production soon and launch around September. If this crease-less technology holds up in real-world use, foldable phones may finally feel like finished products rather than experiments.
