Foldable iPhone Said to Feature 'Crease-Free' Display — Here's How

[MacRumors]

Samsung Display will supply Apple with "crease-free" displays for its long-rumored foldable iPhone, according to Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

To achieve a crease-free inner display, Kuo said the foldable iPhone will utilize a metal plate that can disperse and control the stress generated by bending the display. The metal plates will be primarily supplied by a company named Fine M-Tec, he said.

Samsung's new Galaxy Z Fold 7 still has a visible crease in the middle of its inner screen, so it seems like Samsung Display would have to be developing a custom solution for Apple in order for the foldable iPhone to truly have a "crease-free" design. It is unclear why Samsung has not yet used this apparent technology for its own foldable smartphones, which also primarily use metal plates from Fine M-Tec, according to Kuo.

Earlier this year, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said the foldable iPhone would use a "much higher-quality hinge" compared to some other foldable smartphones, allowing for a "nearly invisible" crease when the inner screen is in an unfolded position.

Kuo said Apple is aiming to start mass production of the foldable iPhone in the second half of 2026, so it could launch next year. He previously said the device will have a 7.8-inch inner display, a 5.5-inch outer display, two rear cameras, one front camera, and a Touch ID power button instead of Face ID sensors for user authentication.

The foldable iPhone will be as thin as 4.5mm when unfolded, and between 9mm and 9.5mm when folded, according to Kuo. By comparison, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 measures 4.2mm when unfolded, and 8.9mm when folded. This means the first foldable iPhone would be very slightly thicker than Samsung's latest offering, but Apple is just getting started.

The news about Samsung supplying Apple with foldable iPhone displays was also reported by various South Korean publications.

Article Link: Foldable iPhone Said to Feature 'Crease-Free' Display — Here's How

 

[kcslc]

Not interested. Such an overhyped gimmick.

 

[kshitijshah]

Apple is so far behind in this game.

 

[JosephAW]

Just have two static displays that come together tightly, worst case scenario is a very thin line.
We put up with the Trinitron mask for years

 

[Pudlo]

crease-free inner display and ai-free inner design only by Apple 😂

nothing better then talking to a siri on a 2+k$ device and getting random stupid answers 😂

 

[Liquid Galaxy]

I wouldn't mind a foldable iPhone, but there's no way I'm interested enough to pay what they will eventually ask for it, this will be pushing 2k.

 

[VulchR]

Just have two static displays that come together tightly, worst case scenario is a very thin line.
We put up with the Trinitron mask for years

Agreed - a precision hinge with two separate fixed screens makes more sense. It would be thinner (nearly a cm depth for an iPhone with a foldable flexible screen? No thank you), more robust, and less expensive than a foldable screen, which is likely to have a crease no matter what they do. The bendable screens should be saved for relative fixed, but curved surfaces (like armlets, or larger smart watches).

Then again, I mercilessly mocked Android when it came out, so I could be wrong. 😇

 

[CalMin]

While a foldable phone would be cool (my dad LOVES his Galaxy Fold) what I really want from this tech is a foldable iPad. I had an 11" and 13" iPad Pro and sold the 13" because it doesn't work in some situations and the larger screen was only rarely beneficial for me. A foldable iPad would give me the best of both worlds. Of course, it would probably cost $3,000 specced the way I would want, so I might not actually purchase said iPad, but it's a nice thought.

 

[zorinlynx]

I don't know why anyone wants this. Why would you want an extra step to using your phone? And a mechanical linkage that *will* wear out and cause problems.

They seem to be trying so hard to make something relatively pointless.

 

[racer1441]

Apple's strategy here is so confusing unless they are concerned about iPad sales.

A folding iPhone would be amazing and they are so far behind others on this. Yes, Apple has a history of going slow and doing it after learning from others, but it's been years!

I'm more worried that they aren't learning the right lessons. They did the same strategy with the Vision Pro and that landed like a steaming turd.

Hopefully a folding iPhone isn't going the same way.

 

[matzoek]

Here‘s how: It’s the hinge!

 

[MayaUser]

Apple is so far behind in this game.

so far behind that people already got bored with this segment

 

[Billy_Bob]

Watch out for marketing-speak. A "nearly invisible" crease is marketing-speak for a visible crease.

 

[jrob]

I'll take "Things Almost Nobody Is Asking For" for $200, Alex.

 

[neilw]

I don't know why anyone wants this. Why would you want an extra step to using your phone? And a mechanical linkage that *will* wear out and cause problems.

They seem to be trying so hard to make something relatively pointless.

Clearly some people *do* want this. I confess I am surprised that many are willing to pay so dearly for it, though. Gotta figure this thing is going to cost $2K.

Also, the foldable seems to be a sort of technological flex for the manufacturer... Apple needs to show its design prowess by competing in this area. I'm glad they just skipped over the earlier generations of foldables that are way too thick. At the very least this should be an interesting product release, not humdrum and mostly boring like regular iPhone releases these days

I think the flip form factor is more appealing to me, but it doesn't seem like Apple is going in this direction (yet).

 

[citysnaps]

Dealing with a foldable iPhone in my shirt pocket would quickly become annoying. Both in terms of thickness/weight and unfolding/folding whenever I want to quickly use it when out and about (for making photographs, answering/making calls, getting information via Safari, etc.) and putting it back into my shirt pocket.

Yuck.

 

[surferfb]

Unlike most everyone here, apparently, I'm super interested in this.

 

[TechRunner]

It is unclear why Samsung has not yet used this apparent technology for its own foldable smartphones, which also primarily use metal plates from Fine M-Tec, according to Kuo.

They'll roll it out during next year's Unpacked event, which will put them ahead of Apple's release.

 

[thermal]

Apple is so far behind in this game.

Apple has a history of taking a product that already exists and making a significant leap in engineering and quality, thus bringing the product to mainstream success.

Eg. there were other MP3 players before the iPod, but Apple made them ubiquitous.

 

[thefrost]

I will believe it when I see it.

 

[TechRunner]

I think the flip form factor is more appealing to me, but it doesn't seem like Apple is going in this direction (yet).

Same. Had a Z Flip4, really liked the form factor. I wouldn't mind trying a fold, but the price is prohibitive for my light phone usage.

 

[VulchR]

Perhaps Apple is banking on the ageing population having such poor vision that they do no see the inevitable crease...

 

[FasterQuieter]

When they start making square TV Shows and Movies I might buy one.

 

[rymc02]

Even though it's not available in the US, the Oppo N5 Fold has set the bar. Literally can't get thinner bc it's the thickness of the USB-C port. 16GB RAM, 512GB storage, Wifi 7 and 4 decent cameras for $1800 bucks.

AND it launched nearly 6 months ago. Apple will launch their foldable 1.5yrs later and probably still won't come close the matching these specs.

If it's running iOS instead of iPadOS, it will really be dead in the water.

 

[jomartz]

Not interested. Such an overhyped gimmick.

My thoughts exactly