Apple is making significant progress on its foldable iPhone, with recent reports revealing key developments that bring the device closer to reality.

According to ETNews (South Korea), Apple is finalizing its selection of component suppliers for the foldable iPhone, with the process expected to conclude by April 2025.

This signals that Apple is moving toward mass production, which could begin in the latter half of the year.

A major challenge for foldable phones has been the visible crease on the screen, an issue that manufacturers like Samsung and Huawei have struggled to eliminate.

However, sources claim that Apple is determined to completely remove the crease, regardless of cost. Insiders suggest that Apple has developed a new material that makes the crease virtually invisible, setting the device apart from current foldable phones.

If successful, this innovation could give Apple a major competitive edge in the premium smartphone market.

Reports indicate that Samsung Display will be the exclusive supplier of OLED panels for Apple’s foldable iPhone.

The Korean company has been developing a customized foldable display for Apple since 2024, leveraging its extensive experience in mass-producing OLED foldable screens.

Additionally, Apple’s device is expected to feature an inward-folding book-like design, with Corning (USA) supplying Ultra-Thin Glass (UTG) for added durability.

Amphenol, the company responsible for MacBook Pro hinges, is reportedly in line to provide the folding hinge mechanism.

Based on Apple’s typical product development timeline, ETNews predicts that the foldable iPhone will launch in late 2026. This aligns with Bloomberg analyst Mark Gurman’s recent confirmation that Apple is prioritizing development for a 2026 release window.

Other industry experts, including Ming-Chi Kuo, Jeff Pu, and reports from The Information and The Wall Street Journal, suggest the device could debut between late 2026 and early 2027.

Leaks from Digital Chat Station (China) suggest that the foldable iPhone will have a 5.49-inch external screen and a 7.74-inch internal display when fully opened, featuring an unprecedented aspect ratio.

Compared to other foldables, Apple’s device is rumored to have a shorter and wider outer display, possibly resembling the Oppo Find N5 launched earlier this year.

Speculation suggests the foldable iPhone will feature a triple-lens 48MP rear camera system (wide, ultra-wide, and telephoto) housed in a rounded rectangular camera module.

Battery rumors point to a dual stainless steel battery setup with a total capacity of 5,000mAh, but this information remains unverified.

On the software side, Apple is expected to adapt iOS to optimize the foldable experience, using expertise from iPadOS to enable seamless transitions between folded and unfolded states.

Applications will likely adjust dynamically, similar to how foldable devices currently operate in the Android ecosystem.

Reports suggest that Apple is working on a clamshell-style foldable iPhone, similar to the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip. This design would allow the device to fold horizontally, making it more compact when closed.

According to a July 2024 report from The Information, Apple’s foldable iPhone project has moved beyond the conceptual phase and has been assigned the internal codename "V68", indicating that development is now entering an advanced stage with component suppliers.

With Apple’s strict approach to design and durability, industry observers expect the company to delay launching a foldable iPhone until it can perfect the technology and differentiate itself from competitors.

The 2026 release could mark a new chapter for Apple in the foldable phone market, potentially setting a new standard for the industry.

Hai Phong