Apple’s much-anticipated foldable iPhone is reportedly on track for a launch in the second half of 2026. According to new reports, the company’s first folding handset will feature OLED panels developed by Samsung Display. Samsung has reportedly succeeded in reducing the visible crease on foldable screens, a key factor that led Apple to select the company as its sole display supplier. While production estimates remain unclear, expectations are high that the foldable iPhone will come with a premium price tag, entering direct competition with devices from Oppo, Samsung, OnePlus, Huawei, Vivo, and Honor.
Samsung Display is set to begin supplying the foldable OLED panels by late 2025, according to a report from BusinessKorea. The South Korean tech giant’s advancements in minimizing the crease on foldable displays appear to have given it a decisive edge over rivals such as LG Display and BOE. As a result, Samsung will be the exclusive provider of foldable screens for Apple’s first entry into the foldable smartphone market, strengthening the two companies’ already complex supply relationship.
In terms of hardware, the foldable iPhone is rumored to feature a 5.5-inch cover display and a 7.8-inch internal folding screen. Mass production of the OLED panels is expected to start either at the end of 2025 or in early 2026. Apple could manufacture as many as 15 million units, significantly higher than earlier projections of around 9 million units. Once launched, the foldable iPhone will compete directly with Samsung’s Galaxy Z series in the U.S. market and challenge foldable offerings from Chinese brands like Oppo, Huawei, OnePlus, Vivo, and Honor internationally.
Reports also suggest that Apple will use a display aspect ratio close to 4:3, similar to what’s seen on the iPad Air and iPad Pro. By adopting this aspect ratio, Apple could make it easier to adapt iPad-optimized apps for use on the new foldable iPhone, ensuring a smoother software experience right from the first generation. If successful, this move could give Apple a significant advantage in a growing foldable market that has struggled with app optimization and user experience.