Apple's Foldable iPhone Finally Coming in 2026–With Help From Samsung

As the world's largest smartphone manufacturer by market value, Apple has been slow to launch a foldable phone, lagging behind other major smartphone makers in this field. The market is closely watching Apple's entry into the foldable segment and its impact on the supply chain.

Renowned Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo recently stated that Apple has decided to abandon in-house development and will adopt Samsung Display's (SDC) crease-free solution for its first foldable iPhone, with plans to mass-produce its inaugural foldable iPhone in the second half of 2026.

Samsung Display is a company under the Samsung Group focused on display technology and is one of the world's leading display panel manufacturers.

Kuo noted that this decision will not only deepen the supply chain collaboration between Apple and Samsung Display but is also expected to benefit suppliers closely tied to Samsung Display, particularly the Korean display metal plate supplier Fine M-Tec.

The durability of crease-free displays has been a key challenge for foldable phones. Kuo pointed out that display metal plates are a critical design element for achieving a crease-free screen, as they distribute and control the stress generated during folding, reducing the risk of material fatigue.

Kuo also mentioned that Fine M-Tec is expected to begin shipping display metal plates for the foldable iPhone in the first quarter of 2026. The unit price of these metal plates is approximately $30–35, with projected shipments of 13–15 million units in 2026.

As a top-tier supplier for Samsung's foldable devices, Fine M-Tec, which is listed in South Korea, is likely to secure over 80% of Apple's display metal plate orders.

Kuo, who has accurately predicted Apple product details multiple times, is hailed as the "world's strongest Apple analyst" and the "king of Apple leaks."

In March, Kuo stated that he expects Apple's first foldable iPhone to be priced between $2,000 and $2,500. He also noted that due to design and space constraints, Face ID might be removed, and Touch ID could return on the side button.

Last month, Kuo also revealed that Apple supplier Hon Hai Precision (Foxconn) is expected to officially begin production of the "foldable iPhone" by the end of the third quarter or the beginning of the fourth quarter of 2025.

As Apple's largest revenue source, iPhone revenue reached $46.84 billion in the second quarter of fiscal year 2025 (ending March this year), up from $45.96 billion in the same period last year. If Apple launches a foldable phone, iPhone revenue could see further growth.