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Foldable iPhone Set to Use Exclusively Samsung OLED Panels

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Apple's upcoming foldable iPhone (aka "iPhone Fold") will use OLED panels exclusively supplied by Samsung Display, reports Business Korea.

iPhone-Fold-Vertical-Feature.jpg

Apple's decision to rely exclusively on Samsung Display is noteworthy, as it marks a departure from Apple's usual strategy of sourcing components from multiple suppliers to reduce costs and ensure consistent quality.

Apple's decision to use Samsung as the sole supplier of the OLED panels, leaving out LG Display and China's BOE, was reportedly down to Samsung's "technological edge in minimizing screen creases."

"For Apple, which prioritizes quality over price when selecting component suppliers, Samsung was the only viable choice," stated an industry insider quoted in the report.

Based on previous reports, when the device is folded, users will interact with a 5.5-inch outer display that is similar to a typical iPhone screen, while unfolding it will reveal a larger 7.8-inch iPad-style screen with a punch-hole camera. The inner display is said to be virtually crease-free, and the screen dimensions have been corroborated by two reputable sources. Instead of Face ID, Apple is said to be using Touch ID integrated into the side button to save internal space.
According to Business Korea, the supply volume for Apple's foldable iPhone, expected to launch late next year, has not yet been finalised. However, industry expectations suggest it could exceed its initially projected annual level of 9 million units, and potentially reach over 15 million units.

Article Link: Foldable iPhone Set to Use Exclusively Samsung OLED Panels
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2025/04/15/foldable-iphone-samsung-oled-panels/
clg82 said:
You lost me at "Quality over price"
Click to expand...
Why? Apple has a long history of using parts that are higher quality than many competitors who use much cheaper parts.

If you sneer at that because you think you got some lemon product that had "Apple" on the label, then so be it, but long term ownership satisfaction typically ranks Apple as highest, and that really is due to both design and quality.

Breakdowns of Apple devices also show that Apple has a long history of picking above-average parts.

Even if you come up with some counter example (say butterfly keyboards) what you're doing it picking the things that stand out because they are unusual.
 
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Anti-glare, durability, and scratch resistance would be needed with this. Doesn't seem even possible to me that a foldable screen could be durable, and Samsung's Fold is a nightmare of reflections. A very nice screen, but ultra glossy.
 
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picpicmac said:
Why? Apple has a long history of using parts that are higher quality than many competitors who use much cheaper parts.

If you sneer at that because you think you got some lemon product that had "Apple" on the label, then so be it, but long term ownership satisfaction typically ranks Apple as highest, and that really is due to both design and quality.

Breakdowns of Apple devices also show that Apple has a long history of picking above-average parts.

Even if you come up with some counter example (say butterfly keyboards) what you're doing it picking the things that stand out because they are unusual.
Click to expand...

I don't need to list examples if all you're going to do is read it thru the Apple colored glasses....there are plenty PLENTY of choices for phones these days that are built of great quality not made by Apple.
 
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Macalway said:
Anti-glare, durability, and scratch resistance would be needed with this. Doesn't seem even possible to me that a foldable screen could be durable, and Samsung's Fold is a nightmare of reflections. A very nice screen, but ultra glossy.
Click to expand...
The antiglare characteristics of the S25 Ultra are amazing, if they could move that technology over to the Fold it would be a great phone.
 
Not a product that would interest me, but some observations.

If it’s essentially the size of an iPad Mini (unfolded) it’s more tablet like than a phone in size. Fine if thats what you want, but it’s not as compact like a phone even folded. And, yes, I’m aware of plus sized phones on the market—they’re more cumbersome than the more standard sized.

If the screen creases practically out of the box then, in my view, it’s defective. If you’re paying a sizable chunk of money for something like this it should be flawless. Defects are supposed to be occasional things, not standard from the factory.

Apple is getting into this product line because others have—evidently they see it worthwhile. But they resisted making their Macbooks and desktops touchscreen and it didn’t hurt them. Besides which the popularity of touchscreen laptops and AIO desktops has waned so Apple likely didn’t miss out on much. So I question catering to this niche market of foldables.
 
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Warped9 said:
Not a product that would interest me, but some observations.

If it’s essentially the size of an iPad Mini (unfolded) it’s more tablet like than a phone in size. Fine if thats what you want, but it’s not as compact like a phone even folded. And, yes, I’m aware of plus sized phones on the market—they’re more cumbersome than the more standard sized.

If the screen creases practically out of the box then, in my view, it’s defective. If you’re paying a sizable chunk of money for something like this it should be flawless. Defects are supposed to be occasional things, not standard from the factory.

Apple is getting into this product line because others have—evidently they see it worthwhile. But they resisted making their Macbooks and desktops touchscreen and it didn’t hurt them. Besides which the popularity of touchscreen laptops and AIO desktops has waned so Apple likely didn’t miss out on much. So I question catering to this niche market of foldables.
Click to expand...
I would hardly call the crease a "defect" from the factory, those that have never utilized a foldable phone for a long period of time tend to have the same view. With that being said, consider the iphones these days STILL having a notch and other higher end phones with face ID without the notch. Some would consider that a defect from the factory. But after all these years everyone is "used to it" so the same can be said about the crease in foldables.
 
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clg82 said:
The antiglare characteristics of the S25 Ultra are amazing, if they could move that technology over to the Fold it would be a great phone.
Click to expand...
Yeah! But it's not like Samsung wouldn't love to have an anti-glare Fold. This is pretty obvious.

I will not buy a glossy iPhone. I had the Fold 6, and had to sell it because of..

1) Extreme gloss
2) It's surface felt like soft plastic, and I was afraid of scratches. Samsung saying to use only a special rubber tipped pen, didn't dissuade me of this. Along with warnings about nails, and user experiences.
 
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This will be a smash hit, whether or not I get one. Key is the actual mechanical hinge, not necessarily the foldable screen. I think many users/buyers don't max care to enable every bit of security and fingerprint will be fine. Personally I use Face ID on my phone with every critical/financial/remote controls app and it would be good to include - maybe next gen?
 
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