Apple has reportedly contracted Samsung to supply foldable OLED displays for the next three years. The displays are claimed to be used for none other than Apple’s long-rumoured foldable iPhone.
According to a new report from The Elec, Apple has inked an exclusivity deal with Samsung, making the company the sole supplier of its foldable OLED displays. The report states that Apple has accepted the terms, ensuring Samsung remains the supplier in an already shallow pool of sources.
Samsung is set to begin supplying Apple with its foldable OLED panels during the second quarter of the year. Initial shipments in 2026 are expected to be around 3 million units, lower than market expectations of around 10 million. One source told The Elec that this may reflect a strategy to test the waters and demand for a foldable iPhone before adjusting the supply.
Apple’s first foldable iPhone is still being kept under wraps. However, it’s been largely suggested that the device will sport a 7.8-inch inner display with a supported 4:3 aspect ratio. The outer display has been reported to be 5.5 inches. Recently, CAD designs for a dummy model of the device were leaked online, showcasing the device’s passport-style fold and hinge.
Apple is expected to reveal its foldable iPhone alongside the iPhone 18 Pro series later this year in the fall. Some reports suggest Apple is encountering setbacks in the “engineering test phase,” indicating that the foldable iPhone may face a delay when entering the market. However, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman recently stated that “as of now, on track for a September debut with the iPhone 18 Pro.”
Apple currently utilizes OLED display across the iPad Pro and Apple Watch. Apple is expected to introduce a refreshed MacBook Pro later this year, introducing OLED for the first time. Once again, Samsung is being tapped to source OLED displays with production beginning in May.
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