Apple is making significant progress on its long-awaited foldable iPhone, with recent reports highlighting a breakthrough: the elimination of the screen crease, a persistent issue in current foldable devices.
According to ETNews, a Korean publication, Apple is finalizing its component suppliers, with the selection process expected to wrap up by April 2025. Once finalized, large-scale manufacturing of parts is likely to begin in the second half of 2025, bringing the foldable iPhone closer to production.
An industry insider told the publication, “Apple is determined to eliminate the crease entirely, no matter the cost, to stand out from other foldable phones.” The report noted that Apple has developed a new material to achieve this, addressing a challenge that Samsung, and other manufacturers have yet to overcome. If successful, this innovation could give Apple a significant competitive edge in the foldable smartphone market.
Display and Key Components
Samsung Display is expected to be the exclusive supplier of OLED panels for Apple’s foldable iPhone. The Korean manufacturer, which pioneered mass production of foldable OLED screens, has been working on a custom display for Apple since last year.
The device is rumored to feature an inward-folding design, similar to an open book. For durability, Apple is likely to use ultra-thin glass (UTG) supplied by Corning, a U.S. company Apple has long partnered with. Additionally, Amphenol, a U.S.-based firm known for its MacBook Pro hinges, is expected to provide the crucial hinge mechanism for the device.
Expected Launch Timeline
ETNews reports that Apple’s first foldable iPhone is expected to launch in the second half of 2026, aligning with Apple’s typical product development cycle. This timeline was further corroborated by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, who noted that Apple is “focused on finishing up development of its first foldable device for 2026.”
Leaked Specifications and Display Size
Recent leaks from Digital Chat Station, a Chinese source, suggest that Apple’s foldable iPhone may feature:
- 5.49-inch outer display
- 7.74-inch inner screen (when unfolded)
- Unprecedented aspect ratios
The report noted that the outer display could be shorter and wider than the recently launched OPPO Find N5, which made its global debut last week.
Apple’s entry into the foldable smartphone market is expected to disrupt the current landscape, dominated by Samsung, HUAWEI, and OPPO. By focusing on eliminating the screen crease, Apple could set a new standard for foldable devices and further expand the market.
As Apple finalizes its supply chain and design, more details are expected to emerge in the lead-up to the anticipated 2026 launch.