Apple's foldable iPhone will use technology from its competitor.

Apple is expected to launch its first foldable iPhone in 2026, using display technology developed by Samsung to reduce creases at the hinge and increase the device's durability.

The foldable iPhone will use Samsung's advanced display technology. Photo: Cult of Mac .

After nearly a decade of research, Apple is likely to unveil its first foldable iPhone in 2026. Notably, this smartphone will use display technology supplied by Samsung Display. Instead of developing its own foldable design, Apple seems to have opted for a "crease-free" display solution from its South Korean rival.

This information comes from Ming-Chi Kuo, an analyst specializing in Apple's supply chain. According to him, partnering with Samsung will help the iPhone manufacturer leverage hinge and foldable screen technologies that have been proven across generations of products.

Fine M-Tech, a South Korean-based hinge supplier, is believed to be the biggest beneficiary and is expanding production in Vietnam to support its plan to ship foldable iPhones starting in Q1 2026.

Foldable displays were once a major challenge for the entire industry. Samsung, for example, suffered a setback with the launch of the Galaxy Fold in 2019, when the device easily broke after only a few days of use. However, the company persevered in improving the technology, paving the way for the current line of foldable devices. For Apple, using technology from its South Korean rival could help shorten development time and avoid similar problems.

Kuo said Apple has set stricter requirements for the durability and flatness of foldable displays, including laser drilling and pixel allocation to minimize surface wrinkling. However, he also acknowledged that more time is needed to evaluate their effectiveness in real-world use.

According to forecasts, the first shipment of foldable iPhones could reach 13-15 million units in 2026. The expected price is in the range of $1,800- $2,000 , equivalent to current high-end foldable phone models from Samsung. In addition, analytics firm UBS estimates the material cost of the device at around $750 .

Apple's partnership with Samsung is nothing new. Despite past legal disputes, Samsung Display has been a supplier of OLED screens for iPhones since the iPhone X in 2017. Other components, including memory and storage in many of Apple's smartphone models, are also supplied by Samsung's subsidiaries.

Source: https://znews.vn/iphone-gap-cua-apple-se-dung-cong-nghe-tu-doi-thu-post1570267.html