Samsung to Supply Crease-Free Display for Apple’s First Foldable iPhone

Apple has been developing its first foldable iPhone for quite some time and may debut it in the second half of 2026. The device will reportedly feature Samsung Display’s crease-free display solution instead of its in-house panel. It’s a custom OLED panel designed to meet Apple’s stricter crease-free display requirements.

Apple’s first foldable iPhone to use Samsung’s crease-free display

With the launch of the foldable iPhone, competition in the foldable market will increase. Samsung may face new challenges, particularly in a key areas such as the main display, where visible creases remain a major concern. While the Korean firm dramatically reduced the crease visibility in the Galaxy Z Fold 7 by implementing Armor Flex Hinge, it is still not completely crease-free.

The Cupertino giant is now addressing this concern and aims to enter the foldable market with a crease-free foldable phone. According to TF International Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple has decided to use Samsung Display’s advanced crease-free technology. Interestingly, this is not the first time we have heard this — an earlier report revealed that Samsung Display will be the sole supplier of OLED panels for the foldable iPhone.

Kuo notes that the metal plate (also referred to as internal hinges) plays a key role in making a crease-free display. Repeated folding puts stress on one spot and makes the crease visible over time. In that case, the metal plate helps spread out that stress and minimizes the likelihood of creases. More importantly, it should integrate with the display design. That’s why Samsung Display’s solution for Apple’s foldable iPhone includes a custom metal plate.

Kuo says Fine M-Tec, which makes display metal plates, will begin supplying them for the foldable iPhone in Q1 2026. Unlike traditional etched plates, as per Apple’s requirement, Samsung Display will introduce laser drilling to create microstructures for better guiding stress distribution and improving crease resistance in the metal plates. However, this approach will result in higher manufacturing costs. It will be interesting to see how Apple sets the pricing for its foldable device.