The biggest reason Apple hasn’t yet launched a foldable iPhone is reported to have been the company’s dissatisfaction with the very visible crease in several generations of competitor models.
We heard earlier this year that Samsung had solved this problem to Apple’s satisfaction. A new report backs this, noting that neither of Apple’s other display partners has yet managed to do so …
The visible crease problem
A visible crease in the centre of the unfolded screen has been one of the biggest complaints users and reviewers have made about existing folding phones.
Apple reportedly wanted to wait until it was technically possible to reduce the crease to one which was barely noticeable, telling its suppliers to go back to the drawing board around a year ago. This was a big ask given that the most advanced maker of folding screens, Samsung, had not yet succeeded in doing this for its own models.
However, we heard back in February that Samsung finally succeeded in producing samples which met with Apple’s approval.
The solution was said to have been achieved through close cooperation between Samsung and Apple hinge supplier Amphenol. The company currently makes MacBook hinges.
The feasibility of achieving this was demonstrated by Oppo, in the form of the Find N5. Our sister site 9to5Google described the crease as a night-and-day difference from even last year’s Samsung folding displays, and said that the crease was “hard to see, even at off-angles.”
Only Samsung has solved this
A new report by BusinessKorea says that while Samsung has met Apple’s quality requirements, that’s not true of either of Apple’s other display partners, LG and BOE. This means that Samsung has the exclusive contract for now.
Apple has decided to equip its first foldable iPhone, set for release in the latter half of next year, exclusively with OLED panels from Samsung Display. This decision marks a pivotal moment in the industry as Samsung Display will be the sole supplier, excluding LG Display and Chinese BOE panels.
The move underscores Samsung’s technological edge in minimizing screen creases, a critical factor in foldable phone design […] For Apple, which prioritizes quality over price when selecting component suppliers, Samsung was the only viable choice,” noted an industry insider.
Apple greatly prefers to have multiple suppliers for key components, both to ensure a more reliable supply and to improve its negotiating position by playing off one company against its competitors. However, it has a demonstrated willingness to stick with a single supplier when competitors are unable to hit the same standards. This is, for example, the reason that all A-series and M-series chips are made by TSMC, after fellow chip supplier Samsung fell behind.
A report yesterday appeared to suggest the iPhone Fold would have Face ID embedded into the display, but the leaker concerned has now issued a follow-up post suggesting this is simply something under test.
The iPhone Fold is widely expected to launch next year.
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