By Technology Desk | Consumer Electronics
Apple’s long-rumored foldable iPhone appears to be moving closer to reality, and new reports suggest the company may turn to an unlikely partner to make it happen. Industry sources indicate that Apple is exploring a potential collaboration with Samsung Display to secure advanced foldable screens designed to significantly reduce—or possibly eliminate—the visible crease that has long plagued foldable smartphones.
The move highlights Apple’s determination to solve one of the most persistent technical challenges in the foldable phone category before introducing its first device. It also underscores how complex foldable display engineering has become, even for the world’s most resource-rich technology companies.
The Crease Challenge That Still Defines Foldables
Foldable smartphones have captured attention for years with their promise of combining compact portability and expansive screen space. Yet despite major advances in flexible display technology, one issue has consistently remained: the crease.
This visible and often tactile line appears at the point where a foldable display bends inward. While manufacturers such as Samsung, Huawei, and Google have reduced the prominence of creases through improved materials and hinge designs, the crease has never been fully eliminated.
For many consumers, the crease is more than a cosmetic flaw. It can interfere with reading text, watching videos, or drawing with a stylus. Over time, it may also raise concerns about durability and long-term wear.
For Apple, whose brand is built on precision, polish, and premium craftsmanship, even a minor visual imperfection could undermine the appeal of a high-priced foldable iPhone.
Why Apple Is Taking Its Time With Foldables
Unlike rivals that entered the foldable market early, Apple has remained notably absent. This delay has fueled speculation, but analysts widely agree it reflects Apple’s cautious approach rather than technological hesitation.
Historically, Apple prefers to wait until a category matures before entering—aiming to refine existing concepts rather than introduce them first. The iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods all followed this pattern.
In the case of foldables, Apple appears unwilling to compromise on display quality. A visible crease, inconsistent durability, or uneven folding mechanism would clash with the company’s design standards. As a result, Apple has reportedly spent years testing internal prototypes without committing to mass production.
The reported interest in Samsung Display suggests Apple may finally see a path forward.
Samsung Display’s Edge in Foldable Screen Innovation
Samsung Display has spent nearly a decade refining foldable OLED technology. Its panels power Samsung Electronics’ Galaxy Z Fold and Galaxy Z Flip series, as well as foldable devices from other manufacturers.
Key areas where Samsung Display holds a competitive advantage include:
- Ultra Thin Glass (UTG): A specialized glass layer that improves durability while remaining flexible
- Multi-layer panel architecture: Designed to distribute stress evenly across the fold
- Advanced hinge interaction: Reducing sharp folding angles that exacerbate creasing
- Material science breakthroughs: Focused on minimizing visual artifacts after repeated folding
Over multiple product generations, Samsung has steadily reduced crease depth and visibility, earning its reputation as the industry leader in foldable displays.
For Apple, partnering with Samsung Display offers access to this accumulated expertise without starting from scratch.
A Strategic Partnership Between Rivals
Although Apple and Samsung are often portrayed as fierce competitors, their business relationship is more nuanced. Samsung has long supplied Apple with critical components, including memory chips and OLED panels for iPhones.
If Apple ultimately selects Samsung Display as a supplier for foldable screens, it would not be unprecedented—but it would be strategically significant.
Foldable displays are among the most complex smartphone components ever manufactured. Production requires specialized equipment, high precision, and extensive quality control. Few companies can meet Apple’s volume, quality, and consistency requirements at scale.
Samsung Display’s established manufacturing capacity and experience make it one of the few realistic candidates.
What Apple Wants From a Crease-Free Foldable Screen
Reports suggest Apple is not simply looking for a “better” foldable screen—it is aiming for a fundamentally different experience from existing foldables.
1. A Visually Seamless Display
Apple’s goal is believed to be a foldable screen that appears nearly flat when unfolded, minimizing any visible distortion. This would make reading, drawing, and media consumption feel closer to using a traditional iPad-like display.
2. A Premium Tactile Experience
Beyond visuals, Apple is focused on how the screen feels under the finger. A reduced crease improves scrolling smoothness and overall interaction—critical factors for Apple’s user-centric design philosophy.
3. Long-Term Durability
Apple is known for emphasizing longevity. Any foldable display must withstand years of repeated folding without degrading visually or structurally. Achieving this while maintaining crease reduction is one of the toughest engineering challenges in the category.
Supply Chain Complexity and Manufacturing Realities
Even with Samsung’s technology, producing crease-free foldable displays at scale is far from simple.
Yield Challenges
Foldable OLED panels are significantly more difficult to manufacture than flat screens. Early production runs often suffer from lower yields, increasing costs and limiting supply.
Apple will need consistently high yields to support a global iPhone launch—something only the most advanced display manufacturers can achieve.
Cost Pressures
Foldable displays remain expensive, and advanced crease-reduction techniques add further complexity. Apple must balance premium materials with pricing realities, particularly as foldables already command higher prices than traditional smartphones.
Multi-Supplier Strategy
Apple typically avoids relying on a single supplier. However, the technical demands of crease-free foldables may limit Apple’s options initially, potentially giving Samsung Display a temporary monopoly on this component.
Software Will Be Just as Important as Hardware
Hardware alone will not define the success of a foldable iPhone. Apple must also adapt iOS—or develop a customized interface—to fully support foldable functionality.
This includes:
- Seamless transitions between folded and unfolded states
- Optimized multitasking and split-screen experiences
- App continuity without resizing glitches
- Enhanced developer tools for foldable layouts
Apple’s control over its software ecosystem could become a major advantage, allowing it to deliver a more cohesive foldable experience than competitors relying on Android adaptations.
Why the iPhone Fold Has Taken So Long
Industry insiders suggest that Apple’s foldable iPhone timeline has been pushed back multiple times due to unresolved display concerns.
Key factors contributing to delays include:
- Insufficient crease reduction in early prototypes
- Durability issues with flexible materials
- Hinge mechanisms that failed Apple’s reliability standards
- Software challenges related to foldable UX
The reported engagement with Samsung Display may signal that these obstacles are finally being addressed.
Potential Industry-Wide Impact
If Apple successfully launches a crease-free foldable iPhone, the implications could extend far beyond Cupertino.
Raising the Bar for Foldables
Apple’s entry could reset consumer expectations for foldable quality, forcing competitors to accelerate innovation or risk falling behind.
Pressure on Display Manufacturers
Other display suppliers may face increased pressure to match Samsung’s crease-reduction capabilities, driving faster advancement across the industry.
Broader Consumer Adoption
A more refined foldable experience could attract mainstream buyers who have previously been hesitant due to durability and visual concerns.
What This Means for iPhone Users
For loyal Apple users, the prospect of a foldable iPhone with minimal creasing is particularly appealing. It suggests a device that delivers:
- A larger screen without sacrificing portability
- A polished, premium look consistent with Apple’s brand
- Improved usability compared to current foldables
Such a device would likely sit at the top of Apple’s product lineup, both in terms of pricing and technological ambition.
Looking Ahead: A Defining Moment for Foldables
While Apple has not officially confirmed any plans, mounting evidence suggests that the company is laying the groundwork for its first foldable device. Partnering with Samsung Display for advanced crease-free screens could be a decisive step toward that goal.
If successful, Apple’s foldable iPhone could redefine expectations for the category—transforming foldables from niche experiments into mainstream premium devices.
As the technology matures and manufacturing challenges are addressed, Apple appears determined to enter the foldable market on its own terms: later than competitors, but with a level of refinement that could once again reshape the smartphone landscape.
For now, the industry watches closely, knowing that when Apple finally unfolds its vision, the ripple effects may be felt for years to come.