Apple's 2026 Foldable iPhone Has No Visible Display Crease – Report

[MacRumors]

Apple is making significant headway on its long-rumored foldable iPhone, with a new report suggesting the company has achieved a major breakthrough by effectively eliminating the screen crease that plagues current foldable devices.

According to Korean publication ETNews, Apple is finalizing its component suppliers for the foldable iPhone, with the selection process expected to be completed by April. The timeline suggests Apple is moving closer to production, with large-scale component manufacturing likely to begin in the second half of this year.

"Apple has decided to eliminate the crease at all costs, regardless of price, to differentiate its foldable phone from existing models," an industry insider told ETNews. "It is believed that a new material property has been developed to make the crease disappear."

The display crease has been one of the biggest challenges in foldable technology. Devices from Samsung, Huawei, and other manufacturers have all unsuccessfully tried to make it invisible. Apple's apparent solution could hand the company a major competitive advantage.

Samsung Display is reportedly set to be the exclusive supplier of the OLED panels for Apple's foldable device. The Korean company has been developing the display specifically for Apple since last year, using its experience as the first manufacturer to mass-produce foldable OLED screens.

The foldable iPhone is expected to feature an in-folding design similar to a book, with US-based Corning likely providing the ultra-thin glass (UTG) covering the display. Meanwhile, US-based Amphenol, which has previously supplied hinges for MacBook Pro models, is the frontrunner to provide the crucial hinge mechanism.

Based on Apple's typical product development timeline, ETNews reports that the foldable iPhone is expected to launch in the second half of 2026. Over the weekend, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reported that Apple is "focused on finishing up development of its first foldable device for 2026." Previous reports from analysts Ming-Chi Kuo and Jeff Pu, as well as publications like The Information and The Wall Street Journal, have all pointed to a late 2026 or early 2027 release.

Recent rumors from Chinese leaker Digital Chat Station suggest the device may feature a 5.49-inch outer display and a 7.74-inch inner screen when unfolded, and both are said to have "unprecedented aspect ratios." The outer display is reportedly shorter and wider than Oppo's new Find N5, which launched globally last week.

Article Link: Apple's 2026 Foldable iPhone Has No Visible Display Crease – Report

 

[tyranne201]

I am all for it. tired of these huge phones in my pocket. but I bet there will be 1st gen problems.

 

[Unggoy Murderer]

The crease is only part of the issue for me. The fact you can damage the display surface of current devices with just your fingernail is enough to put me off. If Apple are able to eliminate that issue too, then maybe I'd consider it.

However... even Apple can't defy current material chemistry limits.

 

[DrJR]

What?! Then how will I know it FOLDS?! What's next?? an iPhone with an invisible display?? Madness....

 

[Substance90]

I can already see the "Crease-Gate" titles in about 2 years time.

 

[fatTribble]

Meh, I kind of like that my current iPhone doesn’t need to be unfolded every time I use it

 

[DCIFRTHS]

I have no interest in a device with a foldable display. This is one bandwagon I won’t be on.

 

[Shalev Lazarof]

my god, it's gonna be a good one.

 

[macfacts]

The competition already has creaseless foldables

 

[Kay_Ess]

Meh, I kind of like that my current iPhone doesn’t need to be unfolded every time I use it

They’ll probably have a screen on the outside or it’ll fold the other way so you won’t have to do that.
The article states:
“Recent rumors from Chinese leaker Digital Chat Stationsuggest the device may feature a 5.49-inch outer display and a 7.74-inch inner screen when unfolded”

 

[Kay_Ess]

I’m very curious. I don’t like the iPad and I can’t justify the cost of an iPad Air but I would like a tablet. This has potential to me.

 

[Macbookey]

Apple is gonna have to nail this as you can bet the price will be eye watering. Will be interesting to see if they increase the popularity of these devices, just by being a player in the market as history has shown their influence.

 

[FlyingDutch]

For just $2999 … 😅

 

[FlyingDutch]

The competition already has creaseless foldables
View attachment 2485829

The crease is there. You can’t see in that picture, and it’s less prominent than on the Samsung , but it is there.

 

[stocklen]

its never going to be worth getting the gen 1 product anyway... but it sounds like it will be an eye watering price becoming the Vision Pro of iPhones.... too expensive for most to justify.

Im surprised they are going for the foldable. Surely they could bring something new to the market like a roll-up screen that extends out and therefore never at risk from a crease in the first place.

 

[platinumaqua]

I've never liked flip phones even back in the dumb phone days, so pass on folding smartphones

 

[TracerAnalog]

Curious if Apple can solve the main issues with foldables: reliability, the crease and the squishy feeling inner screen... I've looked at the Google, Samsung, Oppo and Hyundai offerings and even though they're really good, and are inching closer to something I'd want to invest in, they're not yet good enough (for me, for those prices). Also: battery life has to be on par with the Pro Max models.

We'll see!

 

[freezelighter]

Flip, not Fold please.

In the world of Phablets, we don't need another Foldblet.

iPhone Flip or iPhone 17 Mini ❤️

 

[gpat]

I predict that Creasegate will happen anyway.

 

[Lurch92]

I'd be curious to know how many of us actually want a folding iPhone.

It's not something I want, and I'm not sure what purpose it serves.

 

[iamgalt]

I've never really been a fan of the foldable smart phone, obviously for the screen crease. But if the high quality standards that apple still has (at least relative to other manufacturers), carries over to a foldable screen, then it might have a chance of catching on. I'll definitely stick to my slab phone for at least the first gen, but might start to consider it after that. Of course, the price tag is also going to come into play on this one.

 

[MayaUser]

The competition already has creaseless foldables
View attachment 2485829

that is a brand new phone and already see the crease...just fold it twice and voila
Even on samsung fold phone the crease is less visible when you its brand new and never used

 

[timber]

No crease certainly is one thing that would get foldables moving.

 

[MrRom92]

I don’t want this at all

 

[UliBaer]

Last week i was professional representation for a colleague and he handed me over his ~2 years old Samsung Flip 5(!) for that time. Yes, there was a crease - if i wanted to see it -, but in practical use it wasn't and this little gadget felt way more advanced than a conventional phone. As a joke i offered to exchange it against my 512 GB 12 Pro, but the colleague only laughed out loud and took his Flip 5. I must admit, i already miss this little gem...