Apple is finally moving forward with a foldable iPhone, and it has picked a familiar rival to supply the screens. For the next three years, Samsung Display will be the exclusive maker of foldable OLED panels for the Apple iPhone Fold or iPhone Ultra. This massive agreement locks out other display manufacturers and sets the stage for a major new device launch later this year, with initial panel production set to start soon.
Apple has trusted its biggest rival to build the new folding screens
Apple chose Samsung because it needed a supplier with a proven history, claims a report by The Elec. Competing display makers like BOE and LG did not meet the strict quality and durability standards that Apple demands. Samsung pushed hard for this contract, proving it could deliver at scale.
The screens will rely on a design called Color filter on Encapsulation. This technique removes the standard polarizer layer, which directly prevents the display from cracking at the fold. Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold series also utilizes this screen technology.
Apple has initially ordered three million OLED display units
To keep the hardware reliable and control costs, the upcoming foldable will use the exact same M14 OLED materials found in the iPhone 17 Pro Max. Mass production for these screens is scheduled to kick off in the second quarter.
Apple is playing it safe with the initial rollout. It plans to ship around three million units at first. This volume allows the company to gauge market demand before committing to larger production runs.
A foldable iPhone could shake up a category that still makes up a small fraction of smartphone sales. Even though Samsung builds phones that compete directly, its display division proved it was the only viable option for a project this big.
While some rumors point to minor delays, current reports suggest Apple still wants a September launch.
