BOE May Supply OLED Panels for Apple's Foldable iPhone

According to a report from South Korean media on February 7, the specifications and suppliers for Apple's foldable iPhone have been leaked. The device is still under development and is planned for release between 2026 and 2027. Industry insiders have compiled information about the supply chain and configurations, stating that Apple will launch a foldable iPhone with a large OLED display in the fall of 2026.

This foldable iPhone will be Apple's first foldable model, designed with two 6.1-inch OLED screens that fold together. When unfolded, the total screen size will be about 7.7 inches, which is similar to the 7-8 inch foldable phones currently available in the market. Notably, there is no indication that Apple will release a smaller version, such as a flip-style model.

The slim design of the new model is expected to be a major highlight. According to leaks, the thickness when folded will be around 9.2 mm, and 4.6 mm when unfolded. This is significantly thinner than the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6, which is 3 mm thicker when folded and 1 mm thicker when unfolded.

This ultra-thin design is expected to be enabled by a custom hinge technology developed by Apple. Additionally, Apple may replace the stainless steel materials traditionally used with aluminum to reduce weight, improving portability.

In terms of camera specifications, the foldable iPhone is expected to feature two cameras: a main (wide-angle) camera and an ultra-wide camera, helping to maintain a slim profile. To achieve this design, Apple is working closely with several Chinese partners and LG Innotek to ensure that the modules are thinner while still maintaining high optical performance.

For precision manufacturing, Foxconn will exclusively handle the production of this model, with mass production expected to meet requirements by the end of 2025 or early 2026.

Regarding display suppliers, while the industry generally believes that Samsung Display will dominate the supply of OLED panels for the new foldable iPhone, DSCC CEO Ross Young has pointed out that BOE (京东方) could also be a potential supplier, though their share of the supply is expected to be small.

OFweek analysis suggests that despite Samsung Display's strong supply experience and production capacity, BOE, as a major supplier for domestic foldable phones, may be chosen by Apple for cost considerations. LG Display, although collaborating with Apple, has not been included as a major choice due to its lack of foldable phone supply experience and limited production capacity.

In the cost structure of foldable phones, the display module takes a dominant share. For example, the display module cost for Samsung's Galaxy Fold accounts for 34.36%, significantly higher than traditional smartphones. The screen design of Apple's first foldable product is expected to be the key differentiator, mainly addressing traditional issues such as creases and fragility.

According to patents filed by Apple with the US Patent Office, Apple is working on several innovations to solve pain points in foldable screens. These include adding a metal support layer with a spring layer between the base and the screen to distribute external force and reduce creases and damage from drops; incorporating a local thinning design in the UTG (Ultra-Thin Glass) glass to further reduce visible marks in the foldable area; and using self-healing materials for the screen cover to repair scratches and dents.

Moreover, Apple's hinge design will be more refined, using complex transmission devices and small gear structures to reduce pressure on the screen, further improving the crease issue.

Internally, Apple predicts that the first foldable iPhone will be released in fall 2026, with first-year sales expected to be between 8 to 10 million units, and total sales for 2026 projected to exceed 20 million units. Analysts believe this relatively conservative sales target is due to concerns over the new product's high price.

It is worth noting that rumors suggest that Apple may launch more foldable devices in 2027, including a foldable iPad and a foldable MacBook.