Samsung to reportedly supply $250 display for Apple’s first foldable iPhone

Samsung is reportedly preparing to play a major role in Apple’s entry into the foldable smartphone market. The South Korean company’s display division is said to be manufacturing the inner folding screen for Apple’s first foldable iPhone, reportedly known as the iPhone Duo.

According to Weibo leaker Instant Digital, Samsung Display has entered into a three-year exclusive supply agreement with Apple covering the iPhone Duo and future models. The reported deal could see Apple paying around $250 for each inner folding display panel. Apple, however, has not officially confirmed either the agreement or the reported price.

If the claim proves accurate, Samsung Display would become one of the key suppliers behind Apple’s long-awaited foldable smartphone. The reported $250 price tag would also make the inner display one of the most expensive core components in the device.

Samsung Display was already reported to be Apple’s supplier for the folding panel used in the iPhone Duo, while earlier reports had also pointed to an exclusive arrangement between the two companies. The latest information adds details about the alleged duration of the agreement and the price being paid for each panel.

Why Samsung, and not someone else

Apple’s existing display suppliers may not currently have an easy alternative for the specialised folding screen required by the iPhone Duo. Earlier reports have suggested that LG Display does not yet manufacture folding screens, while BOE supplies foldable panels to brands such as Huawei.

The screen itself reportedly uses Samsung's M16 OLED material, a newer generation said to offer better brightness, richer colours, longer lifespan, and improved efficiency. To survive constant folding, the panel is built with multiple layers, including what Apple has referred to as "high-strength glass" above and below the display. Samsung is said to handle assembly of the dual Ultra-Thin Glass (UTG), with partner Dowoo Insys providing the UTG material and Samsung Display building the OLED core.

A steep jump in display costs

For context, Apple has reportedly paid closer to $70 per panel for standard displays on phones like the iPhone 18 Pro Max. The jump to $250 reflects just how different - and difficult - folding-screen manufacturing is. Unlike a fixed screen, the iPhone Duo's inner display has to bend and straighten repeatedly without losing sharpness or durability, reportedly requiring up to 10 layers, including a nano-texture coating.

At that price, the display alone could account for roughly one-eighth of the phone's total sale cost. Notably, the figure appears to cover only the inner screen - not the outer display, nor assembly and testing - which could push actual production costs even higher. It may also explain why a potential screen repair, per earlier reports, could cost users as much as $1,000.

What's next

The iPhone Duo is expected to launch at $1,999 in the US (₹2,99,900 in India). If Apple sticks with an annual foldable release schedule, the three-year deal could give Samsung a steady, high-value revenue stream. One industry forecast even predicts Apple could ship over five million foldable units by the end of 2026, capturing roughly a quarter of the foldable market - though that projection remains speculative for now.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kahekashan

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Kahekashan is a passionate technophile with a keen eye for cutting-edge gadgets, emerging technologies, and everything in the digital realm. Raised in a Defence family with strong values and a background in literature, she has consistently pursued excellence in every endeavour. Her last full-time assignment involved content writing with the Indian School of Business.

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