First Foldable iPhone Could Leave Samsung’s Foldables Sales in the Dust [U: Statement]

UPDATE (December 11, 2025): Samsung reached out to SammyGuru to clarify that the original report by ET News was inaccurate. The source has since removed the story, and Samsung says the reported supply details do not reflect facts. While the company is still expected to supply OLED panels for Apple’s foldable iPhone, we do not yet know the actual size of the order.

The original article, published on December 9, follows:

Apple hasn’t released a foldable iPhone yet, but early forecasts suggest its first attempt could immediately dominate the market. According to a new report, the company is preparing to ship around 10 million units of its first-gen model, a figure that could surpass the combined sales of Samsung’s next-gen Fold and Flip lineups. If this happens, it would be one of the biggest shake-ups the foldable segment has ever seen.

Apple aims for 10 million shipments of its first foldable iPhone

Samsung Display, Apple’s exclusive screen supplier for the foldable iPhone, reportedly plans to mass-produce 11 million OLED panels for the device next year. Since panel production typically exceeds final shipments, Apple’s target of around 10 million units becomes plausible. This number is striking for a first-gen product, especially when you realize that Samsung has yet to hit the mark for a foldable lineup even after seven generations.

Even its 2026 models may fail to match the sales of the first foldable iPhone. According to reports, Samsung expects to sell about 6.7 million units of the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Flip 8 combined. Despite the Korean firm’s unmatched experience in foldable hardware and display technology, Apple’s brand power and loyal user base may allow it to leapfrog Samsung on day one.

Interestingly, earlier supply chain estimates suggested Apple would produce only 6–8 million units of its first foldable. The revised target of 11 million OLED panels signals a major surge in confidence and a far more aggressive strategy. The company delayed the launch multiple times to ensure a flawless first-generation experience, with eliminating the display crease being one of its top priorities.

If Apple delivers a crease-free experience, it could quickly become a major differentiator and a selling point strong enough to draw users away from competing devices. Hopefully, Samsung is up for it. The next 12 months could redefine the future of foldable devices.