The first Samsung foldable launched in 2019, about six years ago. According to the rumors, Apple is finally getting ready to enter the fray in 2026. The company has taken its sweet time, but there is a reason for that. Apple doesn’t want to make just another foldable; it wants to learn from all the mistakes of its competitors to launch THE foldable. And one of the areas Apple is working on for its foldable iPhone is its display.
Apple rethinking its foldable iPhone display
According to Mark Gurman’s Power On newsletter, he claims that Apple has been forced to rethink its foldable iPhone display strategy. The report says that Apple initially planned on using on-cell touch sensors for its foldable iPhone. This is the same technology that Samsung uses for its foldables.
However, the problem with on-cell tech is that it can create air gaps between the screen and its cover. This makes the crease in the display look more pronounced, which is something Apple wants to avoid. To that extent, Gurman’s report claims that Apple has shifted to in-cell display technology. This is the same tech found in current smartphones, like the iPhone.
This could create a crease that’s less obvious while also potentially boosting touch accuracy.
For those wondering what the difference is, on-cell tech uses touch electrodes on the top layer of the OLED panel under the cover film. In-cell, on the other hand, integrates the touch layer within the display’s TFT layer. This results in a thinner display and faster response.
So, why didn’t Apple simply use in-cell in the first place? Due to the engineering of in-cell sensors, it could face more stress when used in flexible displays compared to rigid ones. This means there’s a higher chance of them getting damaged, something Apple wants to avoid if they plan on charging customers $2,000 for it. However, there are reports suggesting Apple might have found a solution to this.
When is Apple’s foldable coming?
If the rumors are true, Apple is launching its foldable iPhone in 2026. Display production has reportedly kicked off. In terms of specs and features, the device could actually be smaller than the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7. It is rumored to feature a 5.5-inch outer display and a 7.8-inch inner display.
This is versus the Fold 7, which has a larger 6.5-inch cover display and an 8-inch inner display. That being said, don’t expect it to come cheap. Apple’s iPhones already cost a small fortune. According to what we’ve heard so far, expect to pay anywhere between $1,800 and $2,400 for it.
The post Apple Rethinks Foldable iPhone Display to Reduce Crease appeared first on Android Headlines.
