Renders of an iPhone Fold – Image Credit: AppleInsider
In its attempts to make the iPhone Fold a reality, Apple has reportedly decided to use Samsung Display to produce the foldable OLED screens for the project.
The screen is arguably the most important part of the iPhone Fold, as a component that practically defines how the device functions. It seems that Apple has narrowed down the source of the screen to Samsung Display for its first foldable release.
According to sources of Business Korea, Apple has finally made the decision to go with Samsung Display as its foldable screen supplier. While Apple does work with other suppliers for its products, including LG Display and BOE, it will only be using Samsung for its folding device screens for the moment.
It is claimed that Samsung Display had a technical edge in minimizing the screen crease, which Apple has kept as a priority for the component’s construction. Sources add that Samsung’s experience with its own folding products also helped.
Full mass production of the part will be starting either at the end of 2025 or early 2026, the report adds. It will cover both the main large folding OLED panel, believed to measure about 7.8 inches, as well as an external display measuring 5.5 inches.
LG out in the cold
Choosing one screen supplier is an unusual move for Apple, since it often relies on multiple suppliers for the part. It’s a tactic that increases competition between suppliers, often helping to reduce costs and increase quality.
In this case, it would be excluding LG Display, a long-time supply chain partner, despite a lengthy period of working together on the project.
Back in 2016, reports claimed LG Display had picked up Apple as one of its earliest foldable OLED display partners. In 2017, Apple was said to be working with LG Display in a “task force” for a future foldable iPhone screen, freezing out Samsung Display.
Later reports insisted that Apple was still working with LG on foldable screens in 2021. By 2022, Apple was working with both LG and Samsung to create screens with minimal creases.
While it seems Apple will just be working with Samsung on the initial iPhone Fold, it doesn’t necessarily mean work with LG has stopped. It’s plausible that LG Display could be involved later on if the iPhone Fold sells enough units, or for a second folding model in the future.
