Samsung Display has landed a three-year exclusive contract to supply foldable OLED screens for Apple’s upcoming foldable iPhone, according to new reports. This means Samsung panels will power Apple’s foldable device for up to three generations, locking out other suppliers for the foreseeable future.
The electronics news outlet TheElec reveals that Samsung initiated the exclusivity terms, which Apple accepted despite Samsung being a direct competitor in the foldable smartphone space. Inside Apple, this move is framed as a strategic choice focused on securing a critical component for a potential rival product.
Samsung Display aims to deliver about 3 million foldable panels initially-far below prior estimates of 10 million units. Production volume will likely be adjusted based on market demand for Apple’s foldable iPhone.
Chinese display maker BOE, despite its experience with foldable screens for other brands, failed to meet Apple’s strict quality standards. LG Display, meanwhile, lacks sufficient mass-production experience for foldable OLED smartphone panels. As a result, Samsung remains Apple’s sole viable foldable OLED screen supplier at this stage.
The foldable iPhone displays will reportedly use Color Filter on Encapsulation (CoE) technology, embedding color filters directly into the protective layer. This approach reduces light loss and boosts brightness and color accuracy-a method already employed in Samsung’s Galaxy Z series.
Additionally, the panels will be made with M14 material, currently used in devices like the iPhone 17 Pro Max and Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, promising enhanced durability and performance.
Apple faces production challenges that might delay the foldable iPhone launch from September 2026 to December that year or even early 2027. Meanwhile, Samsung is aggressively expanding its foldable smartphone lineup with models like the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and the new Galaxy Z Fold Wide.
If Apple’s foldable iPhone launch is delayed, Samsung could further solidify its foothold in the foldable smartphone arena, offering more mature technology and a broader range of devices before Apple officially enters the ring.