Apple and Samsung team up for the ultimate foldable iPhone

Apple is set to launch its first-ever foldable iPhone in 2026, but this isn’t just another bendable phone. In a rare collaboration, Apple will use Samsung Display’s most advanced crease-free screen technology, combined with its own iconic hardware and software design, to create a device that could redefine what foldables are capable of.

Instead of developing a new display in-house, Apple is prioritizing reliability and mass production by leveraging Samsung’s proven panel supply chain, ensuring the foldable iPhone reaches millions of users with a seamless user experience.

At the core of this partnership is a specialized metal plate manufactured by South Korea’s Fine M-Tec that sits beneath the display, distributing bending stress evenly and preventing unsightly creases that have plagued earlier foldables.

Apple’s version of this hinge system uses advanced laser drilling techniques, not just for strength, but for precision that goes beyond current Samsung Galaxy devices. The result is expected to be a stunning, virtually crease-free screen, a first for the category, and a device that folds and unfolds smoothly, day after day.

Why is Apple choosing Samsung over its own display technology?

Apple is renowned for developing custom components, but with foldable screens, the company is making a pragmatic exception. By adopting Samsung Display’s crease-free solution, Apple is betting on stability and scalability for a device launching years behind competitors.

Analysts say Apple’s supply chain team has learned from the iPhone X era, when Samsung’s OLED manufacturing prowess was essential, and is applying the same logic here. The company’s goal is simple: deliver a product that works flawlessly out of the box, not just a first-to-market gimmick.

Did you know?
Despite supplying crease-free panels to Apple, Samsung's own Galaxy Z Fold 7 still shows a visible crease, hinting that Apple may be receiving a more advanced, custom version of the technology not available to Samsung's in-house devices.

What’s inside the foldable iPhone’s display?

The hinge mechanism is the key to its success. Repeated folding concentrates stress at the bend, causing the plastic layers in most foldables to fatigue and develop a permanent crease.

The metal plate beneath Apple’s display, supplied by Fine M-Tec, is engineered to absorb and spread that stress across the entire fold area, reducing the risk of visible wear.

This plate is produced using advanced laser drilling rather than conventional etching, raising its cost but improving durability and appearance. Fine M-Tec is already expanding production in Vietnam to meet Apple’s massive initial orders, which could exceed 13.5 million units in the first year alone.

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When will the foldable iPhone launch, and how much will it cost?

Mass production of the foldable iPhone is expected to begin in the second half of 2026, with component shipments starting in early 2026. Apple has reportedly placed orders for 7-8 million foldable display panels from Samsung Display, signaling confidence in strong demand despite a steep $2,000-$2,500 price tag.

Despite the device's exorbitant price tag, analysts anticipate that Apple's debut will invigorate the category, potentially compelling competitors to enhance their display quality in response.

What does this mean for the foldable market and Apple’s brand?

This partnership is more than a hardware deal; it’s a statement about Apple’s strategy for entering new categories. The company is patient, often arriving late but with a product that sets new standards.

By combining Samsung’s engineering with Apple’s design, software, and ecosystem, the foldable iPhone aims to deliver an experience that is both familiar and groundbreaking.

Industry watchers expect Apple’s foldable to quickly become the benchmark for display quality, forcing Samsung, Huawei, and others to accelerate their own crease-mitigation efforts.

For consumers, the big question is whether the foldable iPhone’s premium price and advanced display tech will translate into real-world benefits. If Apple succeeds, it could make other foldables look dated overnight and finally bring the category into the mainstream.