Apple’s Foldable iPhone Arrives in 2026, Leans on Samsung Display
Analyst Pinpoints Crucial Samsung Partnership for Crease-Free Design
Apple is reportedly gearing up to launch its first foldable smartphone in 2026, ending a decade of development. The Cupertino giant is expected to tap Samsung Display for its innovative crease-free screen technology, a significant move for the burgeoning foldable market.
Strategic Alliance for Foldable Tech
Renowned Apple analyst **Ming-Chi Kuo**, known for his deep supply chain insights, predicts Apple will adopt a “crease-free display solution” sourced from Samsung Display. This decision is anticipated to greatly benefit suppliers closely tied to Samsung Display, with Fine M-Tec, a maker of internal display hinges, poised to be a primary beneficiary.
The allure of foldable phones lies in their dual functionality: compact portability when closed and expansive, tablet-like viewing when open. This adaptability offers a wealth of new user experiences and application possibilities.
Overcoming Hinge Hurdles
The success of any foldable device hinges on its hinge mechanism, an area that has historically challenged even Samsung. The company’s initial foray with the $2,000 Galaxy Fold in 2019 proved disastrous, with early review units failing due to debris infiltrating the hinge, forcing an indefinite launch delay.
Despite early setbacks, Samsung has shown persistence, progressively refining its foldable phone hinges to be more robust, slimmer, and aesthetically pleasing with each iteration.
Fine M-Tech to Boost Vietnam Production
According to **Kuo**, South Korean firm Fine M-Tech will expand its production capabilities in Vietnam to support Apple’s foldable iPhone production. Shipments are projected to reach between 13 and 15 million units in the first quarter of 2026. Apple is reportedly enforcing “stricter crease-free display requirements,” including laser drilling, to enhance durability and stress distribution.
While some creasing is inherent to foldable displays, Samsung Display’s design aims to mitigate this by limiting the screen’s bending radius. The practical implications of this limitation in everyday use remain to be seen.
A History of Apple-Samsung Collaboration
This reliance on Samsung is not unprecedented for Apple. Despite years of intense patent disputes, including a 2011 jury award of $1.05 billion to Apple over Samsung’s alleged “slavish” copying of iPhone features, Samsung Display was the sole provider of the groundbreaking OLED screen for the iPhone X in 2017. Furthermore, Apple commonly utilizes Samsung subsidiary chips for memory and storage in its devices.
Kuo’s latest analysis follows his earlier report detailing Apple’s iPhone release strategy from 2025 to 2027. He anticipates four new iPhone 17 models this fall, including the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Slim, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max, alongside a more affordable iPhone 17e early next year. For Fall 2026, **Kuo** predicts three iPhone 18 variants—Slim, Pro, and Pro Max—alongside the anticipated iPhone Foldable.
Industry observers suggest the component cost for Apple’s foldable iPhone could hover around $750, positioning its retail price between $1,800 and $2,000, mirroring current high-end foldable device pricing. For context, the global foldable smartphone market reached approximately 15.8 million units in 2023, according to Counterpoint Research (Source: Counterpoint Research, 2024).
Apple maintains its policy of not commenting on product rumors, upholding its commitment to operational secrecy.