Lee Chong, the President of Samsung Display, may have unintentionally confirmed one of Apple’s highly anticipated devices — the foldable iPhone. While Apple has not disclosed details about the device, Lee mentioned that Samsung is preparing to mass-produce OLED foldable displays for a “North American client,” leading to speculation that Apple could be the intended recipient. This information surfaced during an interview with reporters in Seoul, as reported by Chosun Biz. Although Lee did not identify the client or the device, industry analysts suggest that Apple, being the largest smartphone manufacturer in North America, is the most likely candidate. Google is another potential contender, but its foldable offerings are not as established.
Samsung aims to supply 8.6th generation OLED panels, which are expected to enhance production efficiency compared to the existing 6th generation models. Production is anticipated to commence in the third quarter of next year, indicating that the rumored device may be ready for a launch in 2026. Apple has been reportedly working on a foldable iPhone for some time, but it trails behind Samsung, which introduced its first foldable device in 2019. Leaks suggest that the new foldable iPhone may resemble two stacked iPhone Air devices. Given that the iPhone Air is the slimmest model to date, measuring just 5.6mm, the foldable variant is expected to maintain a thickness of under 10mm.
By comparison, the Samsung Z Fold 7 measures 8.9mm thick. Internally, the iPhone fold is likely to incorporate Apple’s next-generation silicon, possibly named the A20 chipset, which promises high performance and efficiency. The foldable device is expected to launch alongside the iPhone 18 series in September 2026, which would also include the iPhone 18 Pro, 18 Pro Max, and the next iPhone Air, while the standard iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e are anticipated to debut in early 2027. Pricing remains uncertain, but industry insiders speculate that the foldable iPhone could exceed $2,000 in the US, approximately Rs 1,76,000, making it one of the most expensive Apple products to date.
If confirmed, Apple’s foldable iPhone would represent the tech company’s inaugural foray into foldable smartphones, aiming to merge innovation with its hallmark premium design. Samsung’s role as a display supplier highlights the ongoing collaboration between the two technology giants, even as they remain intense rivals in the global smartphone arena. As excitement grows, Apple fans are eagerly awaiting additional details, with Samsung’s recent comments providing the closest insight yet into the future of iPhone design.