Samsung reveals Apple's trump card for 2026.

Is the foldable iPhone just a rumor, or is Apple really ready to launch the phone many users have been waiting for for years?

Recently, Samsung Display Chairman Lee Cheong revealed that the South Korean company is producing OLED panels for a North American customer, which is almost certainly Apple. If true, these panels will be used for the first foldable iPhone that Apple is expected to launch later next year.

A rendered image of a foldable iPhone.

PHOTO: PHONEARENA

According to numerous leaks and reports from industry sources, the foldable iPhone will be introduced alongside the iPhone 18. Specifically, Apple may market this model as a more premium product than the iPhone 18 Pro Max, rather than treating it as a separate category. Meanwhile, Samsung is expected to launch the Galaxy Z Fold 8 before Apple's foldable iPhone.

Can Apple make its foldable iPhone surpass the Galaxy Z Fold 7?

If you're expecting a powerful foldable iPhone, iPhone fans might be disappointed. Leaked specifications for the foldable iPhone suggest it may not surpass the Galaxy Z Fold 7, one of the best foldable smartphones in years. Many reviewers of the Galaxy Z Fold 7 have called it a "winner," and that title is likely to continue next year.

The Slideable Flex Vertical phone concept at CES 2025.

Lee Cheong's statement has somewhat answered questions about the 2026 launch plan for a foldable iPhone. While many reports have speculated, there are still doubts about the possibility of a delay. Apple has taken a long time to enter the foldable smartphone market, with plans to create a perfect product without a screen crease. However, if reports from the supply chain are accurate, Apple's ambition to create a crease-free product may not yet be realized.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/samsung-he-lo-at-chu-bai-nam-2026-cua-apple-1852509301457151.htm