Foldable iPhone and Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 8 Both Expected to Have 'Crease-Free' Screen

[Ferrandix]

The world of tech gadgets has become so boring. It's impossible to create a product that truly stands out from the rest. Competition is fierce — something that should, in theory, benefit the user, but that’s not the case.
For Apple, it has become a nightmare. In a world where components depend on third parties and multiple brands manufacture in the same facilities, it’s become nearly impossible for Apple to produce a superior-quality product — except when it comes to processors, where Apple still leads.
Meanwhile, the entire sector has embraced Apple’s territory: in design, engineering, advertising, marketing — even the colors and materials are practically the same.
There was a time when everyone was making plastic MP3 players, and Apple launched a sleek, aluminum product with high-quality finishes.
That time is over.

 

[jz0309]

Because the Face ID components are expensive and a foldable would need two sets of them, and maybe also because the thinness of the foldable makes it difficult to fit.

Given the rumored price point I don't think cost of faceid is a factor.
The "thinness" could be it, but for one there's another 5 months or so to go before the design is final, and secondly, there are (hopefully) advances coming to faceid.
My faceid on my iPhone is 99+% reliable, the touchid button on my iPad, maybe 90%, and when I had iPhones with touchid it was less than that.
Not having faceid would have me think twice

 

[contacos]

You know what also has a crease-free screen? A normal screen you don’t fold. Because there’s no need to fold a screen.

That's like saying there is no need for a tablet. You do you. Personally I am never going back to a non-foldable phone ever again and I used iPhone from iPhone 3G to iPhone 16Pro (last one mainly for the camera)

 

[CWallace]

So Samsung had 7 chances to get it right, and they’re only getting it right for the 8th one because Apple is going to get it right?

Apple often has higher standards for their hardware components.

When Apple moved to Samsung Display OLED displays for iPhones, they added their own "secret sauce" to create a higher quality product than what SD was providing to Samsung Electronics for the Galaxy phones. Over time, SD implemented these improvements across all of their displays and later Galaxy generations benefitted, as well.

 

[gco212]

You know what also has a crease-free screen? A normal screen you don’t fold. Because there’s no need to fold a screen.

In what world would a folding iPad be anything but an upgrade over the current form factor? Easier to stow and protects the screen naturally.

 

[JPack]

why give up on Face ID? Back to touch? Seems very 'unapple' to backtrack that much. Still not sure of a great use scenario but as an illustrator the phone doesn't really act like a 'work' device most of the time.

Because Apple would need to put in two Face ID modules, wasting space. One each for the outer and inner displays.

This is a huge redundancy because the outer display already has an RGB camera. There is no need for another camera module.

 

[CharlesShaw]

I'm ready to read the MR threads (with photos) about wear and tear on the crease, about someone returning three units to finally get a good one, and the odd thread for owners who never unfold it and only use the 5.5" screen. 🍿

 

[groove-agent]

A foldable iPhone that uses window. management would be the dream. Imagine carrying around a computer in your pocket, docking it to USBC, and using it like a laptop/ desktop. Unfolding the phone would give you the iPad.

"Ladies and gentlemen, presenting The Apple ONE".

One device for your daily driving, not THREE devices (Mac, iPad, iPhone). That would be my dream, but likely not to happen because Apple literally banks on you buying multiple devices to do everything. Also, good luck getting third party Pro app developers to develop for this device.

Craig Federighi says it can't happen because of the UI differences. I think that's short-sighted because you can have the UI change based on what screen is outputting the video much like how responsive web designs work.

 

[ZMacintosh]

she doesnt even go here

 

[HouseLannister]

they added their own "secret sauce"

They didn't add anything. They told Samsung to add things. (They did the same to Intel for years too.) They have very high standards and make their vendors bend to their will with the power of large volume purchases. It's the same way Walmart does business, making vendors create a specific UPC just for Walmart to sell. It's not necessarily a bad thing, but don't make it sound like Apple is some magic maker when it comes to display technology. The fact that you call is "secret sauce" is just proof that it is marketing BS. They didn't design squat.

 

[SteveJobs2.0]

No crease + Apple ecosystem and I am a day one buyer.

 

[klasma]

Given the rumored price point I don't think cost of faceid is a factor.
The "thinness" could be it, but for one there's another 5 months or so to go before the design is final, and secondly, there are (hopefully) advances coming to faceid.
My faceid on my iPhone is 99+% reliable, the touchid button on my iPad, maybe 90%, and when I had iPhones with touchid it was less than that.
Not having faceid would have me think twice

The’ll have their reasons. Another factor is that it takes up precious volume that isn’t available for the battery then.

Under-screen Face ID may be coming, but that might also require even more depths.

Regarding the thinness, the problem is likely the half of the phone with the outer display, because that half has displays on both sides, taking up additional internal space compared to a single-display device.

 

[iamasmith]

Once folks have them, they are indispensible and don't suffer from failures within a reasonable timescale (see MagSafe Duo tested for ~200 folds before failing) I might be in. There are so many questions about the durability of these and the ease of replacing screens if and when they do fail.

 

[richinaus]

Next year is going to get expensive with the Fold and the MacBook Pro updates....... $10k for Apple on its way.

 

[svish]

Looks like Samsung will be the first to have a crease-free screen as the Fold 8 will be launching in July. Foldable iPhone will launch only along with the rest of the models in September. Looking forward to hearing more about the device in the coming months.

 

[CWallace]

They didn't add anything. They told Samsung to add things. (They did the same to Intel for years too.) They have very high standards and make their vendors bend to their will with the power of large volume purchases...It's not necessarily a bad thing, but don't make it sound like Apple is some magic maker when it comes to display technology.

Agreed and acknowledged. But as the iPhone 10 had better displays sourced from Samsung Display than the equivalent generation of Galaxy was using, so as it applies to folding devices, Samsung and others have been content with releasing them with a visible "crease" for years, whereas Apple was content to wait until manufacturing technology had advanced to the point the "crease" was no longer present/visible.

 

[johannnn]

Of course Apple will have competition from Samsung since the current rumor is that Apple will use a screen from Samsung lol

 

[CWallace]

Of course Apple will have competition from Samsung since the current rumor is that Apple will use a screen from Samsung lol

For as much as they may hate each other, they both still need it each other (Apple for the tech/quality Samsung can provide in certain components and Samsung for the revenue selling those components to Apple in volume generates).

 

[ELman]

Why should we be surprised that Apple's biggest competitor who is the same company Apple hire's to manufacture there screens not have a crease free screen.

 

[Macalway]

Imho, the crease was the least concern to me with the Z-fold 6. The ultra glossy, and fragility of the screen was more of a concern. And with the pen, it was like writing on fabric; a glossy, glowing, fabric.

If it bends it's weak. No way around that. It will 'give' all over the place.

 

[jdawgnoonan]

Samsung is 8 years ahead tho on the fold so gonna be interesting, the multitasking on the fold is so nice, it’s much smoother and faster than even the iPad

iPadOS 26 Multitasking is better than Samsungs (at least in my opinion, but Samsungs software is actually quite good these days). I bet the folding iPhone will have it in book mode.

 

[jdawgnoonan]

Why should we be surprised that Apple's biggest competitor who is the same company Apple hire's to manufacture there screens not have a crease free screen.

Exactly. These guys work together besides competing.

 

[Sami13496]

So Samsung had 7 chances to get it right, and they’re only getting it right for the 8th one because Apple is going to get it right?

Even when it comes to “effort” they copy Apple 🤣

Apple uses Samsung displays. All of Samsung’s foldables have essentially been large-scale user testing that a brand like Samsung can afford to do because it doesn’t need to be perfect. Apple’s brand, on the other hand, “doesn’t ship junk,” so only now, when Samsung has managed to develop a crease-free display, can Apple adopt the technology. Of course, Samsung will also continue using it in its own products.

Samsung and Apple may appear to be competitors in the smartphone market, but when it comes to displays, Apple is a massive customer for Samsung. I wouldn’t be surprised if Samsung’s display sales to Apple are a bigger business than its own smartphone division.

Also, Apple and Samsung aren’t truly “full” competitors in smartphones because die-hard Apple users would never consider an Android phone, and likewise, committed Android users wouldn’t switch to Apple. So, to me, the picture is pretty clear.

 

[anthorumor]

Doesnt iPhone already use Samsung's OLED screens? This would only help Apple.

 

[HouseLannister]

iPadOS 26 Multitasking is better than Samsungs. I bet the folding iPhone will have it in book mode.

Hard disagree on the Apple Hyberbole there. They are getting there, but have miles to go.
Those multitasking activation targets work fine for a trackpad, but iPad multitasking with a finger was so much easier in iOS 18. They are also way too complicated for simple, quick snapping and tiling.
And if there is still no multitasking on the outer screen, this is going to be a mess when you have apps open and shut or open the phone. They got to go fully in or will create just more headaches.
Android has been working on this problem since 2016. Apple created such a limited multitasking feature set from day one that they are still scrambling to catch up with iPadOS 26. I don't think they will have anything quite polished enough to launch with iOS 27 on a foldable and it won't be until 28 or 29 that a foldable iPhone is anything but a pain to operate (regardless of the hardware).