After years of rumors and speculation, Apple’s long-awaited foldable iPhone may finally be getting closer to reality. According to a new report from BusinessKorea, Apple has made a big decision on one of the most critical parts of the device: the display. The company is reportedly turning to Samsung Display—yes, its longtime rival in the smartphone world—as the exclusive supplier of OLED panels for its upcoming foldable phone.

If that sounds surprising, you’re not alone. Apple usually likes to diversify its suppliers, often splitting orders between companies like Samsung, LG, and BOE. So what makes this situation different? It all comes down to the screen—and more specifically, the crease.

Anyone who’s used a foldable phone knows about the crease—that visible line or dip that appears where the screen folds. While most users get used to it, it’s still a point of contention. Apple, being Apple, reportedly wants to avoid the crease altogether—or at least make it as invisible as possible.

That’s where Samsung comes in. Among all the major display makers, Samsung Display is currently the most advanced when it comes to foldable OLED technology. The company has years of experience under its belt, thanks to its Galaxy Z Fold and Z Flip lines. 

According to an earlier report from ETNews, Samsung is the only supplier right now that meets Apple’s high bar for minimizing the crease in a foldable display.

So instead of shopping around like it usually does, Apple is going all-in on Samsung—at least for the first version of the foldable iPhone.

So, what can we expect from the display? Current reports point to a device with a dual-screen setup: a large 7.8-inch internal display that folds inward, and a smaller 5.5-inch cover screen on the outside. That would put it in the same general category as Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold line, rather than the flip-phone-style foldables like the Galaxy Z Flip or Motorola Razr.

Production of the OLED panels is expected to begin sometime in late 2025 or early 2026, which means we probably won’t see the foldable iPhone hit store shelves until 2026 at the earliest. Still, the fact that Apple is making firm supplier decisions now is a good sign that the project is finally moving forward after years of R&D.

Why just Samsung? Well, Apple typically doesn’t like putting all its eggs in one basket. In past iPhone launches, it has split display production between Samsung, LG, and BOE, depending on the model and supply chain constraints. But in this case, only Samsung reportedly has the tech to deliver the kind of display Apple wants for its foldable phone—specifically, one with a near-invisible crease.

This doesn't mean LG and BOE are out of the picture for good. They could still join in on later models once their own foldable display technology catches up. But for now, Samsung is apparently the only game in town.

And now the elephant in the room:: this thing is probably going to be expensive. Foldable phones are already priced at a premium, and when you combine that with Apple’s usual pricing strategy, you’re likely looking at one of the most expensive iPhones ever released.

Some early analyst estimates suggest the price could land anywhere between $1,400 and $2,500, depending on the final specs and storage tiers. That’s not out of step with the rest of the foldable market—Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 5 starts at around $1,900—but it’s definitely a big jump from a standard iPhone.

The million-dollar question is how many people will actually buy it. Foldable phones have come a long way, but they’re still a niche category compared to traditional smartphones. For Apple, the challenge will be to convince people that a foldable iPhone isn’t just a cool gadget—it’s actually useful.

Of course, this wouldn’t be the first time Apple has waited to enter a category until the tech was mature enough and the user experience was polished. And when Apple does finally step in, the rest of the market tends to pay attention.

Right now, everything is still behind the scenes. Apple hasn’t officially announced anything, and it’s notoriously tight-lipped when it comes to future product plans. But this report about Samsung Display being tapped as the exclusive OLED supplier is one of the clearest signs yet that the foldable iPhone is more than just a rumor.

If all goes according to plan, we could see a reveal in 2026. Until then, expect more leaks and supply chain reports as production ramps up.

For advertising please contact the editor at [email protected]