Apple’s long-rumoured foldable iPhone may still be a little less than a year away, but new details suggest the company is continuing to push hard on one of the category’s biggest pain points: the visible display crease. According to a new report from MacRumors, Apple is still actively testing next-generation ultra-thin flexible glass (UFG) as it works toward delivering a foldable iPhone with a near-invisible crease.
Citing Weibo-based leaker Digital Chat Station, the report says Apple is evaluating ultra-thin flexible glass panels with uneven thickness. The idea is to use thinner glass specifically in the folding area to improve flexibility, while keeping the rest of the panel thicker for rigidity and durability. If successful, this approach could allow Apple to distribute bending stress more evenly across the display, significantly reducing — or potentially eliminating — the crease that plagues most current foldables.
This would mark a notable departure from today’s foldable phones, which rely on ultra-thin glass (UTG) that inevitably deforms along the hinge over time. Apple’s testing suggests it’s looking to leapfrog existing solutions rather than simply match what’s already on the market.
While the timing may seem late given expectations that Apple’s first foldable iPhone could arrive alongside the iPhone 18 lineup in 2026, it doesn’t necessarily signal a delay. Apple is likely deep into design validation at this stage, with overall hardware decisions largely locked in while higher-risk components — like the display — continue final qualification. Apple is also believed to have more conventional ultra-thin glass options available as a fallback if its latest testing doesn’t meet long-term durability targets.
The foldable iPhone itself is expected to adopt a book-style design similar to Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold, rather than a clamshell form factor. When folded, it could feature a roughly 5.3- to 5.5-inch outer display, opening up to a larger 7.8-inch inner screen that’s reportedly close to crease-free. Samsung is expected to supply the foldable OLED panels, even as Apple continues to fine-tune the glass technology layered on top.
Other rumours point to liquid metal in the hinges to further reduce creasing, an under-display front-facing camera on the inner screen, and side-mounted Touch ID instead of Face ID. Pricing is expected to land between $2,000 and $2,500, making it the most expensive iPhone Apple has ever sold.
Although some analysts still believe Apple’s foldable could slip to 2027 due to hinge and supply chain challenges, more recent reports suggest a 2026 debut with limited availability. If Apple can truly deliver a crease-less foldable display, it would instantly set a new bar in a category that has struggled to hide its compromises.
Want to see more of our stories on Google?
P.S. Want to keep this site truly independent? Support us by buying us a beer, treating us to a coffee, or shopping through Amazon here. Links in this post are affiliate links, so we earn a tiny commission at no charge to you. Thanks for supporting independent Canadian media!
