Overview

• Apple is expected to adopt Samsung Display’s crease-free OLED panel technology instead of an in-house design to support stable volume production of its first foldable iPhone.
• Fine M-Tec is expected to begin shipping precision metal plates in the first quarter of 2026, with laser-drilled microstructures that boost stress distribution and raise unit costs to $30–35.
• Samsung Display is projected to serve as the sole supplier of the foldable screens, manufacturing panels at a dedicated facility built to Apple’s specifications.
• Mass production is expected to begin in the second half of 2026, marking a shift from earlier 2027 targets and reflecting Apple’s push to enter the foldable market sooner.
• The foldable iPhone is likely to start at $2,000, feature side-button Touch ID, and omit Face ID owing to internal space constraints.