iPhone Fold: Apple starts display production with Samsung Apfelpatient

Apple is working on its first foldable iPhone. According to a report in the Korean newspaper ETNews, production of the foldable OLED displays has already begun – a year ahead of the planned market launch. The displays are from Samsung Display, which has built an exclusive production line for Apple. The device, currently known as the iPhone Fold, is scheduled to launch in 2026 alongside the iPhone 18 series.

Apple is entering the foldable smartphone market relatively late. Manufacturers like Samsung, Huawei, and others have already released several generations of foldables. Apple, as usual, is taking a different approach: a long wait, then a careful technical entry. The initial steps indicate that Apple intends to establish the new product category for the long term – with a focus on quality and scalability.

Production is underway at Samsung Display

Samsung Display has set up a dedicated production line for the foldable iPhone at its A3 plant in Asan, Chungcheongnam-do, South Korea. The line is exclusively dedicated to Apple and is in the final stages of construction. It will be capable of producing up to 15 million foldable 7-inch OLED panels annually. According to report Initially, between six and eight million units of the iPhone Fold are expected to be produced in 2026. Production capacity significantly exceeds this demand – an indication that Apple expects increasing demand and additional models in the medium term.

Samsung as exclusive supplier

Apple is relying entirely on Samsung Display for the iPhone Fold. Although Apple typically values multiple suppliers, Samsung remains the sole partner in this case. The reason for this is its technological expertise: Samsung has been producing foldable OLEDs for its own smartphones since 2019 and is a leader in this field. Samsung also played a key role in the transition from LCD to OLED for the iPhone X and iPhone XS. For the iPhone Fold, Samsung has secured a multi-year contract as the exclusive display supplier. The company will likely remain a primary supplier thereafter.

Technical details about the iPhone Fold

The device will feature an inward-folding OLED display with a diagonal of seven inches in a 4:3 format. Apple is planning a particularly thin design—just 4.5 millimeters when folded. The goal is a display with no visible crease. The casing houses the new A20 chip, likely developed specifically for the Fold model. Apple will likely forgo Face ID. Instead, Touch ID will be integrated, possibly under the display or in the side button. The back will feature a dual-camera system with a wide-angle and ultra-wide-angle lens. Further camera details are currently unknown.

Availability and price

The iPhone Fold is expected to launch alongside the iPhone 18 series, which includes the iPhone 18, iPhone 18 Air, iPhone 18 Pro, and iPhone 18 Pro Max. The iPhone Fold is expected to launch in fall 2026, as usual. The price of the iPhone Fold will exceed $2,000, making it the most expensive iPhone.

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iPhone Fold: Apple is preparing the market launch at full speed

Display production is underway, the hardware specifications are largely finalized, and the strategic partnership with Samsung is secured. The iPhone Fold is an important step for Apple – not only technically but also economically. Whether it succeeds depends on user interest. One thing is clear: Apple is investing in capacity early and is taking a long-term approach to foldable smartphones. (Photo by seveniwe / Bigstockphoto)