Overview

• Samsung Display president Lee Cheong said the company is preparing mass production of foldable OLED panels for a “North American client,” without naming the customer.
• He said the new 8.6‑generation OLED line is slated to start operations by late Q2 or in Q3 2026, and noted the client launches flagship devices in the second half of the year.
• Industry reports widely infer the client is Apple and view the timeline as a concrete supply‑chain step toward a potential second‑half‑2026 foldable iPhone, though Apple has not announced such a product.
• Recent coverage ties the supplier timing to Apple’s summer prototype testing and work in iOS 27 on foldable‑specific features, with analysts expecting limited initial volumes.
• Rumored details such as a book‑style design, crease‑minimized display, side‑button Touch ID, and a titanium hinge remain unconfirmed and could change.