As we saw earlier this year, Samsung Display knows folds. And apparently, that innovation has led them to a major win -- producing crease-free displays for the iPhone's first foldable cellphone in 2026.
Samsung Display, which is an entirely separate company from Samsung itself, produces screens for many other companies. It will reportedly begin mass production of its flexible folding screens later this year in time for Apple's foldable iPhone launch in summer 2026, as reported by Korea JoongAng Daily. Industry insider Ming-Chi Kuo says the move could mean Apple trusts SDC more than itself to "ensure stable mass production of the foldable iPhone in 2026."
Apple is late to the foldable game, as rumors have been intensifying that the company will launch its first folding iPhone, possibly called the iPhone Flip, in 2026. But that might be OK, since market is still young, with foldable phones accounting for well under 5% of all cell phones sold globally.
A crease-free iPhone would be the latest in foldable innovations, earliest among them Huawei's $2,600 Mate X back in 2019, later followed by its "sexy triple-screen phone." There's also Samsung's latest Flip and Fold, unveiled just last week, plus a possible tri-fold by Samsung coming later this year.
Dan Ives, global head of tech research at Wedbush Securities, sounded a cautious note about Apple going with SDC for its crease-free display. "It's a risky bet given the tepid success of foldable phones in the consumer smartphone market," he said. "Samsung is trying to gain share, and it puts some pressure on Apple to go down this path."
Apple did not respond to a request for comment.
Mike Wuerthele, managing editor at Apple Insider, says going with SDC "makes sense. Apple has partnered with Samsung for a long time on iPhone screen technology. Samsung is good at what they do. And, it may have always been this way, given the nature of the supply chain and leaks that come out of it."
In a phone market increasingly populated with foldables, Apple has taken its time to do it right (and they'd better). And why not deploy a company like Samsung Display, which boasts innovations such as a double-folding display and even stretchable screens?
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