Apple Taps Ultra-Thin Glass Suppliers for First Foldable Device

[MacRumors]

Apple's designs on its first foldable device appear to have ramped up a notch, with the company said to be tapping suppliers of ultra-thin glass (UTG).

Chinese manufacturer Lens Technology is set to become Apple's primary supplier of UTG for upcoming foldable devices, according to a new report from The Elec (via DigiTimes). The company is expected to secure approximately 70% of Apple's UTG orders, with US-based Corning likely to provide the raw materials.

Lens Technology has reportedly demonstrated significant advantages in mass production capabilities and financial resources for UTG manufacturing. The company is said to be particularly good at glass strengthening and minimizing side cracks after cutting, and also possesses glass etching technology.

The supplier plans to expand its UTG production line in 2025, ahead of Apple's anticipated launch of its first foldable device in the second half of 2026, according to the report. Apple's design approach apparently focuses on thinning only the central part of the UTG, which allows for greater overall thickness and improved durability.

South Korean firms Dowoo Insys and UTI are said to be potential secondary suppliers. Notably, Dowoo Insys secured two patents in October 2024 specifically related to the thinning of UTG's central part, with one patent showing similarities to Apple's own patent from the same period.

Samsung Display could be the exclusive supplier of foldable panels for Apple's first foldable device, which could be a foldable iPhone. Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Jeff Pu, The Information, and The Wall Street Journal have all targeted late 2026 or early 2027 for a potential launch.

Article Link: Apple Taps Ultra-Thin Glass Suppliers for First Foldable Device

 

[syklee26]

where are those Apple "loyalists" who think foldables are waste of time?

 

[applyr]

So iPhone Flip is next year?

 

[thefrost]

Price will be?

 

[dugbug]

all the foldable devices are too awkward in one or both dimensions to be worth 'folding'. IMHO a foldable iphone 5 sized device would be a shocker.

 

[mazz0]

Wasn't the iPhone 6 Apple's first foldable?

 

[gleepskip]

I'm happy for the foldable fans, but I personally don't get it

 

[0049190]

I would prefer a folding iPhone than a flip iPhone like this but at least they have something new in the pipeline.

 

[daemondust]

Who wants this? Folding smartphones are nothing but a gimmick.

 

[Kylo83]

We don’t need a flip phone it’s a gimmick

 

[iGüey]

Great! Apple should enter to the foldables market as soon as they have the right product, even though it seems like a very small market by now. I can even bet that once Apple enters the foldables market, the interest for these devices will skyrocket, trends will change and the vast majority of people (not necessarily MR posters/techies) will want to have a foldable.

 

[iGüey]

Who wants this? Folding smartphones are nothing but a gimmick.

We don’t need a flip phone it’s a gimmick

How to have a +6.5 inches screen in a 3.5 inches body device can be a gimmick?

People who already have used foldables of other brands, love the concept.

 

[Kylo83]

How to have a +6.5 inches screen in a 3.5 inches body device can be a gimmick?

People who already have used foldables of other brands, love the concept.

Because there’s loads of trade offs, bad displays not flagship specs, also a fold is better to give a bigger screen, to have a flip phone makes it thicker and no need for it, Apple failed with ai copying the competition and now with flip phones they want to copy Samsung. They are not original anymore

 

[Lioness~]

Will wait for this, and hope it can be a phone that can replace my mini.
If not, a Samsung will be my next phone.
Won't buy these big iPhone's Apple are doing these days - certainly not for me.

 

[WarmWinterHat]

Great! Apple should enter to the foldables market as soon as they have the right product, even though it seems like a very small market by now. I can even bet that once Apple enters the foldables market, the interest for these devices will skyrocket, trends will change and the vast majority of people (not necessarily MR posters/techies will want to have a foldable.

Foldables are for enthusiasts and will likely stay that way for years, regardless of who makes it. They've been out for years at the point, and I can count on two hands that amount of times I've seen them in public.

I don't have a problem with them, but I'm not going to purchase one.

 

[zombierunner]

Price will be?

 

[0049190]

We don’t need a flip phone it’s a gimmick

It’s not going to replace the existing flat iPhones, it just gives us another option to choose from. IMO the more iPhone options we have the better.

 

[9081094]

Samsung Display could be the exclusive supplier of foldable panels for Apple's first foldable device, which could be a foldable iPhone.

I predicted it before… and already suggested Apple should rebrand Samsungs foldable options. Put in an A-series of processors, an Apple logo instead of Samsung… and there you have it… a brand new line of Apple foldable phones.

I’m sure some will claim the crease is less visible on the Apple ones 🤣

 

[iGüey]

Foldables are for enthusiasts and will likely stay that way for years, regardless of who makes it. They've been out for years at the point, and I can count on two hands that amount of times I've seen them in public.

What you state is 100% valid by now, and for sure that at this time the market is small mainly because Apple hasn’t entered to the game yet.

I can predict that the changing trend that is coming is just comparable to when we abandoned physical keyboard devices in favor of all-screen smartphones, even although a lot of MR posters don’t like the foldable device idea by now.

 

[Kraszim]

Actually waiting for this. Crazy Apple didn't replace mini series with a flip like this. Price is going to be crazy unfortunately

 

[Jovijoker]

View attachment 2481452

and we know you will love it!😜

 

[Mescagnus]

Price will be?

$2.699 or thereabouts

 

[M-5]

Wasn't the iPhone 6 Apple's first foldable?

That’s such a tired “joke”

 

[JapanApple]

Those want it good. I do not need it.

 

[segfaultdotorg]

All hail the iFold! An answer to a question nobody was asking.