Apple's iPhone Ultra Crease Fix Set for Android Foldables Next Year

[MacRumors]

The Elec reports that Google, Oppo, and Vivo plan to adopt ultra-thin glass (UTG) in their foldable phones next year, following Apple's lead. Apple's book-style iPhone Ultra, expected to be unveiled next week, reportedly uses two UTG layers, with the display sandwiched between them, isolating it from direct contact with the hinge.

The method, pioneered by Apple, is meant to spread mechanical stress across multiple layers to improve durability and reduce visible creasing over time. The UTG layers will be mass produced for Apple's rivals by Samsung, for wide adoption in 2027.

Article Link: Apple's iPhone Ultra Crease Fix Set for Android Foldables Next Year

 

[WU27f1xcCs]

This will be a good product to get the second version after these have undergone a year of real world use.

 

[uuee6543]

This will be a good product to get the second version after these have undergone a year of real world use.

And hopefully with 3 flagship cameras and face id (unlikely...)

 

[Hammerd]

This time Apple leads the way. Bravo

 

[ScreenSavers]

This will be a good product to get the second version after these have undergone a year of real world use.

Probably so, but I can't wait for the first version either!

 

[k1121j]

And hopefully with 3 flagship cameras and face id (unlikely...)

One thing at a time lol. There gonna stretch this out one item per year.

 

[MilaM]

I would be much more worried about damage from debris getting stuck between the two sides. Not sure why the "crease" is such a big deal.

 

[Kriss_De_Valnor]

I can't wait to see "One year with an iPhone Ultra" YT reviews.

 

[Dirk Pieters]

Sounds like Apple has done its homework if these rumours are correct.

Not in the market for a folding phone but curious what Apple has done.

 

[123ABCDN]

Those creases sure will be noticeable with the press of a fingernail or debris, like sand.

 

[michsu]

It is just copying the UTG from Samsung fold 8 and fold 8 ultra.. read up on that tech and it's the same thing, just branded for Apple.. I bought the 1TB ultra and it looks really nice, I didn't want to get the regular Fold because Apple is coming out with the same thing, and wanted something different. With my battery tweaks, I get 13 hours SOT (deep doze, and others), which beats out the iphone 17 (and I'm guessing 18) pro max, because you can't change things on Apple side.

 

[CharlesShaw]

This time Apple leads the way. Bravo

I also predict that Apple will lead then way when they discontinue the foldable iPhone after it proves to be too much trouble to satisfy their extremely picky customers.

 

[xxFoxtail]

This will be a good product to get the second version after these have undergone a year of real world use.

It's one of those that I’ll at least wait for hands-on reviews of. It’ll likely be a second or third gen product for me though. I’m perfectly happy with my iPhone Air for now.

 

[darthbane2k]

And hopefully with 3 flagship cameras and face id (unlikely...)

Face ID? quite possibly. Having the same camera system (same number of cameras) as the Pro line? Unlikely. The Pro needs a reason to exist. You want the most advanced cameras.. you get the Pro.

 

[H.E. Pennypacker]

Everyone please skip this version. It will make my chances of getting a launch day one that much easier.

 

[IIGS User]

This time Apple leads the way. Bravo

Where it counts. And this is Apple’s typical MO.

Samsung has had a foldable phone for years. Does it work? Yes. But there are limitations on the quality of the workmanship and durability. I’m not calling Samsung’s folding phone sub standard. But as executed it wouldn’t meet Apple’s standards.

Apple doesn’t rush things like this to market. They let the technology mature a bit, see where market trends go and let their competitors absorb the first rounds of real world use to see what works and what doesn’t.

Then, when Apple decides to “do” a certain tech like a folding phone they’re perfecting a relatively mature technology. Apple’s folding phone won’t be perfect out of the gate. I have no doubt and to be honest it’s not for me. I’m getting and 18PM.

But Apple’s execution of the technology will be state of the art. It will bring features to the table that those early execution competitors didn’t. Then those competitors will copy what Apple perfected.

 

[Lounge vibes 05]

It is just copying the UTG from Samsung fold 8

It literally isn’t, read the article.
The Fold 8 has one single layer of UTG with the display underneath it.
The iPhone reportedly has multiple layers, one above the display and one below the display, mixed with an Apple designed, Apple patented liquid metal infused hinge that Samsung has absolutely no access to.
All Samsung is doing is the mass production, the idea that this is just a Samsung phone with an Apple logo stamped on the back is just a myth.
If Apple was just simply copying Samsung’s homework, they would have released a folding phone five years ago. Instead, they’ve waited almost a decade since the first galaxy fold launched.

 

[neuropsychguy]

It is just copying the UTG from Samsung fold 8 and fold 8 ultra.. read up on that tech and it's the same thing, just branded for Apple.. I bought the 1TB ultra and it looks really nice, I didn't want to get the regular Fold because Apple is coming out with the same thing, and wanted something different.

We don't know if it's the same thing that Samsung has until it's released and there are full teardowns of it, but this report suggests they are not the same design. Apple's been working on foldable displays for phones since at least 2011 based on patent filings. Samsung has foldable phones and will make the displays for Apple, but Apple engineers have input in the process and requests Samsung make displays to Apple's specifications. It sounds like Apple's design might be a step ahead of what Samsung and others currently have released.

 

[bigglow]

I'll go 2026 iPhone 18 Pro Max then 2028 iPhone Ultra Crease.

 

[RealKeishav]

It literally isn’t, read the article.
The Fold 8 has one single layer of UTG with the display underneath it.
The iPhone reportedly has multiple layers, one above the display and one below the display, mixed with an Apple designed, Apple patented liquid metal infused hinge that Samsung has absolutely no access to.
All Samsung is doing is the mass production, the idea that this is just a Samsung phone with an Apple logo stamped on the back is just a myth.
If Apple was just simply copying Samsung’s homework, they would have released a folding phone five years ago. Instead, they’ve waited almost a decade since the first galaxy fold launched.

He bought that phone definitely he will be biased about it

 

[CarAnalogy]

I can't wait to see "One year with an iPhone Ultra" YT reviews.

Thank you, came here to say this.

Usually those "one year later" videos are pretty obvious, but this one really is going to need some real world testing to shake down.

 

[CarAnalogy]

This time Apple leads the way. Bravo

Kinda sounds like this was a collaboration between Apple and Samsung. Samsung has been working on this for a while.

But one of Apple's generally underappreciated strengths is getting new technologies funded and developed.

I would like to hear the story on this in a few years, but it seemed they did similar to what Apple has done for TSMC and others by just dumping tons of up front money into one specific goal to get it done, and Samsung, TSMC etc get the benefits by getting to sell the technology to others later.

 

[michsu]

oh no, I just asked grok the question lol. I bought the phone when it came out on the preorder time. In a few years, I'll probably trade for the trifold 3 or Apple's trifold if they come out with one. Hopefully the durability will be much better. The inside screen is very delicate and can't be bumped or poked. That's probably the only bad thing. Regarding the crease, I can still touch it, but looking directly at it, you can't tell. Looking from the side, you can see a bit of a drop though. So, hopefully in a few more years, these will be worked out. The software on Samsung is better though, real multitasking (not just having two apps next to each other, but working together, mainly because of Android 17/One UI 9), and it's squarish screen, so more for stocks/work, instead of consuming (that's why I got that one too). Waiting for the Trifold next time...

 

[Tevosn]

I don’t really care about the foldable, but I think iFlipFlop would be a cool name 🙂

 

[CarAnalogy]

The foldable sounds interesting to me in concept, but I am too averse to scratches on my displays.

So far, all the foldable inner displays have been soft as butter and can be permanently scratched by a fingernail.

That's a display material out of my nightmares. I don't know when/if it's physically possible, but I'll likely hold off on this until it's as strong as Ceramic Shield 2.