Apple plans iPhone Fold with large production target Apfelpatient

Apple is preparing to launch its first foldable iPhone and is planning larger production volumes than the industry expected. New information from the display supply chain shows that the company is not approaching the foldable smartphone market cautiously, but with a significantly higher production target.

The market for foldable devices has grown slowly but steadily in recent years. Other manufacturers have already released several generations, while Apple has held back. This makes concrete information about production planning and technical specifications all the more significant. This report provides a comprehensive overview of how Apple intends to position its first foldable iPhone.

Higher production targets than expected

ET News reports that Apple has ordered a total of 22 million OLED panels from Samsung Display for its new model. The order is divided into 11 million inward-folding panels and 11 million external displays. Since Samsung Display is the sole supplier for these components, the order size suggests that Apple is aiming for a production run of approximately 10 million devices. Manufacturers typically produce more panels than needed to account for variations in yield and quality.

The planned quantities are more than 30 percent higher than previous expectations in the display industry. Industry analysts had initially anticipated six to eight million devices. These estimates were based on the current global sales of foldable smartphones, which reach just over 20 million units per year. The new plan shows that Apple assesses the market potential more highly and expects stronger demand.

Design: Book format with two displays

The device is expected to have a book-like, inward-folding design. The outer screen will measure 5.35 inches, while the inner foldable display will measure 7.58 inches. The format aims for a compact device when closed and a sufficiently large screen when open.

A key feature will be a newly developed hinge designed to significantly reduce the visible crease in the display. Apple is placing particular emphasis on material properties and mechanical precision to improve durability and optical quality.

New display technology: COE and increased brightness

Apple plans to use Color Filter on Encapsulation, or COE for short. This technology eliminates the traditional polarizer layer, integrating its function directly into the OLED stack. This makes the display thinner and brighter at the same time. This method is considered technically sophisticated and should contribute to improved image quality.

Additionally, there are indications of an under-display camera. The camera sits beneath the internal display, enabling a full-screen view without a hole or cutout. This results in an uninterrupted display, which is particularly important for the larger internal panel.

Planned market launch

The first foldable iPhone is expected to be released next year. Its launch is planned alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. This placement within the regular premium lineup shows that Apple is positioning the device not as an experimental side product, but as an important part of the next iPhone generation.

Apple is focusing on growth in the foldable device segment

The available information suggests that Apple is combining a high production target, a well-thought-out design, and modern display technologies for its entry into the foldable phone market. The significantly higher order volumes, the hinge concept, and the use of new OLED processes indicate that the company is confidently anticipating strong demand. This means that the first foldable iPhone could not only expand Apple's market share but also drive the development of foldable smartphones overall. (Photo by Unsplash / Polina Silivanova)