Apple is taking a significant step forward in display technology for its foldable iPhone, a model it has been developing for a long time. It has been revealed that the company is working on a costly but effective solution to minimize the creases that are often encountered in foldable displays.
Apple is focusing on the foldable iPhone’s display.
The new method will use specially manufactured metal plates to prevent deformations at the fold point of the display. A new production line requiring laser drilling will be established for the production of these plates.
According to a recent analysis published on Medium by Ming-Chi Kuo, an analyst at TF International Securities, known for his close ties to Apple, the foldable iPhone will enter mass production in the second half of 2026. The device will use OLED panels supplied by Samsung.
However, to maintain the panel’s long-term performance, Apple wants to move beyond Samsung’s current trackless display technology. For this purpose, the company will source special metal plates from Korean company Fine M-Tec. These plates aim to prevent wrinkles by dispersing the mechanical stress the display experiences during folding.
Each metal plate is reportedly going to cost between $30 and $35. Precise laser drilling is required to integrate these plates into the device. This manufacturing process adds another $30 to $35 in cost.
Considering the approximately $20 cost of the chemical etching method used in traditional manufacturing processes, it’s clear that Apple has made a significant additional investment in this new solution.
This increase in production costs is likely to be reflected in the device’s end-user price. Kuo previously predicted a foldable iPhone price range of $2,000 to $2,500. This higher price is attributed to the specialized materials used and advanced manufacturing techniques.
Ross Young, CEO of Display Supply Chain Consultants, previously made a similar point. According to Young, a thicker, chemically treated front glass will be required to conceal the fold mark. While this solution is also costly, it has not yet been determined which Apple will choose.
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