Production of foldable OLED displays for Apple’s first foldable iPhone is now underway, with expectations for a launch next year, according to reports from Korea’s ETNews. Samsung Display is taking the lead in producing these displays by setting up a dedicated production line at its A3 factory located in Asan, Chungcheongnam-do. This production line is designed to manufacture displays exclusively for the foldable iPhone and is currently nearing completion. Samsung Display plans to deliver up to 15 million 7-inch foldable OLED panels annually.
The first foldable iPhone is expected to come equipped with an inward-folding OLED display and will join next year’s iPhone lineup, which includes the iPhone 18, iPhone 18 Air, iPhone 18 Pro, and iPhone 18 Pro Max. Like other models, it will receive upgrades each fall. For 2026, Apple is reportedly aiming to produce between six to eight million foldable iPhones. Samsung’s annual production capacity of 15 million displays will comfortably cover Apple’s projected needs while also allowing for the possibility of increasing sales in future models.
Samsung Display has also secured an agreement to be the sole supplier of foldable displays for Apple for several years. Although Apple typically seeks to diversify its supply chain, Samsung’s specialized technology in foldable OLED displays, honed through its experience in the market since 2019, makes them a vital partner. As a result, it is likely that Samsung will remain the exclusive supplier for Apple’s foldable iPhone displays for the foreseeable future. The first foldable iPhone is anticipated to showcase a sleek design at just 4.5mm, complemented by a 7-inch inner display, a durable hinge, a dual rear camera, and the A20 chip, with an estimated price exceeding $2,000.
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