Samsung Starts Making Foldable iPhone Screens for 2026 Launch
I've been following the rumors about a foldable iPhone for what feels like forever, and it seems like things are finally heating up. Word on the street is that Samsung Display is already gearing up to produce the foldable OLED screens Apple will need for its first foray into the foldable market. It's happening at their A3 factory in Korea, and apparently, this production line will be dedicated solely to Apple's foldable phone.
The numbers being thrown around are pretty impressive. This production line is expected to churn out around 15 million 7-inch foldable OLED panels per year. That's a lot of folding screens! It makes you wonder just how many foldable iPhones Apple is planning to sell.
Now, here's where it gets interesting. The report suggests that Apple might only produce six to eight million foldable iPhones in 2026. That means Samsung has plenty of wiggle room to prepare for increased demand in the future. I think it's a smart move. After all, if the foldable iPhone takes off, Apple will undoubtedly want to ramp up production quickly.
Samsung's expertise in foldable displays is key here. They've been making foldable phones since 2019, so they've had plenty of time to work out the kinks. It's not surprising that Apple is relying on them for this crucial component.
If you think about it, this isn't the first time Apple has leaned on Samsung for display technology. Samsung Display played a major role in Apple's transition from LCD to OLED with the iPhone X and XS. I think this relationship proves to be mutually beneficial, but, as a consumer, I'm always a bit wary when a single supplier has so much control. I hope that Apple eventually diversifies its supply chain to avoid potential bottlenecks or pricing issues.
There are even rumors about what the foldable iPhone will actually be like. We're talking super-thin design (around 4.5mm), a 7-inch display that folds inward like a book, and maybe even Touch ID instead of Face ID. And, given all that cutting-edge tech, you can expect it to come with a hefty price tag – possibly over $2,000. I think that there's a huge gamble from Apple, as the price is too high, and they should find a way to produce it in larger scales, so the production costs lowers a bit.
Source: Mac Rumors