After years of speculation and anticipation, Apple's entry into the foldable smartphone market is taking concrete shape. New reports detailing supply chain orders and development timelines suggest the tech giant is preparing for a major launch with ambitious sales goals, betting that its brand power and a key technological feature can overcome a premium price point.
Samsung Display Ramp Signals Major Production Plans
According to a report from Korean news site ET News, which was later removed but archived, Samsung Display has been tapped as the exclusive panel supplier for Apple's first foldable iPhone. The scale of the order is the first clear indicator of Apple's confidence, with Samsung setting an initial production target of a staggering 11 million OLED display units. Industry analysis suggests that approximately one million of these panels are allocated for testing and potential yield loss, pointing toward a finished product sales target of around 10 million units for the device's launch cycle. This aggressive figure underscores Apple's belief that it can immediately capture a significant portion of the growing foldable market.
Key Reported Specifications & Data:
- Display Supplier: Samsung Display (exclusive)
- Initial Display Production Target: 11 million units
- Implied Device Sales Target: ~10 million units
- Rumored Starting Price: ~USD 2,400
- Key R&D Focus: Minimizing/eliminating the screen crease
- Reported R&D Timeline: ~5 years
- Likely Launch Window: 2026 (alongside iPhone 18 series)
A Five-Year Quest for the "Crease-less" Screen
Beyond the numbers, a separate report highlights the extensive research and development Apple has invested to tackle the most common user complaint about foldables: the visible screen crease. It is claimed that Apple has secretly worked on its foldable display technology for approximately five years, with a primary focus on minimizing or eliminating the crease. This extended development period suggests that Apple is aiming to debut with a more polished and durable hinge and screen assembly than early-generation foldables from competitors, potentially using this as a key differentiator.
Premium Price Meets High Expectations
The ambitious sales target comes with an equally ambitious price. The foldable iPhone is widely rumored to carry a starting price tag of around USD 2,400, placing it firmly in the ultra-premium segment and significantly above current flagship foldables like Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold series. This strategy mirrors Apple's approach with the Apple Vision Pro, which launched at USD 3,499. However, Apple appears to be betting that the foldable iPhone, as a natural evolution of the world's most popular smartphone, will face a much larger and more eager addressable market than its mixed-reality headset, which struggled to meet sales expectations.
Market Context and the Path Forward
Apple's rumored 2026 launch window arrives as interest in foldable smartphones is rising. Samsung recently reported increased sales expectations for its own foldables, indicating renewed consumer interest. By targeting 10 million units, Apple is not just testing the waters but attempting to define the high-end foldable segment from day one. The success of this gamble hinges on whether Apple's traditional customer base and early adopters deem the novel form factor and promised "crease-less" experience worth the substantial premium. If the company succeeds, it could rapidly reshape the dynamics of the high-end smartphone market.