Samsung drives the arrival of Apple's first foldable phone.
Samsung's technology paves the way for Apple's upcoming foldable iPhone, expected in 2026.
It is expected that next year Apple will launch its first foldable iPhone, a move that comes years after other companies, such as Google and Samsung, have introduced multiple generations of phones with this technology. Recently, the reason behind Apple's long wait to enter the foldable device market has been revealed.
According to a report, Samsung was able to meet the quality standards required by Apple for the display of this new device. Previously, other display suppliers for Apple failed to eliminate a visible line that had been a source of frustration for users of earlier foldable phone models. Samsung managed to overcome this obstacle by working closely with Amphenol, the hinge supplier that collaborates with MacBooks. Interestingly, Apple has chosen to rely solely on Samsung Display for this launch, a significant shift from its usual strategy of diversifying suppliers in order to reduce costs and maintain high quality standards.
Samsung's six years of experience in foldable OLED technology, starting with the launch of the Galaxy Fold in 2019, was crucial for securing this exclusive contract. While Samsung has perfected this technology, other manufacturers like LG and BOE have not achieved the same results, leaving Samsung as the only display supplier for the first-generation iPhone Fold.
Recently, specifications were leaked for what is expected to be the screen of the iPhone Fold, which is said to have an internal display of 7.76 inches with a resolution of 2713 x 1920 pixels and an external display of 5.49 inches with a resolution of 2088 x 1422 pixels. Both screens would have an aspect ratio of 13:9, and the internal one would resemble an iPad mini when unfolded, in addition to having an impressive pixel density of 428 ppi.
This first foldable iPhone is anticipated to be one of the most awaited phones of 2026 and will be part of the iPhone 18 lineup, which is likely to be announced in September of next year. Its price could range between $2,000 and $2,500, making it the most expensive iPhone to date. Meanwhile, Apple continues to work on its lineup of iPhones for this year, which includes the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, and the new "iPhone 17 Air."
