Apple Using New Materials to Make Crease Disappear on Rumored Foldable iPhone [Report]

Apple is making progress on solving one of the biggest hurdles in foldable smartphone design: the display crease. According to a recent report from South Korea's ETNews, the tech giant has made significant strides in eliminating the visible wrinkle that has long plagued foldable screens, using innovative materials to achieve a smoother finish. This development comes as Apple gears up for its first foldable iPhone, with production preparations allegedly underway.

The crease has been a persistent flaw in foldable devices that has frustrated critics and users. Sources claim that Apple imposed strict technical standards to overcome this challenge, and the company is now close to meeting its goal. One industry insider told ETNews, "Apple decided to eliminate creases entirely, regardless of cost, to set its foldable apart," adding that "new materials" have been employed to make the crease vanish.

Details on these materials remain under wraps, but the report suggests they target the folding section of the display, where wrinkles typically form. This breakthrough is tied not just to the screen itself but also to the hinge and other components, with Apple fostering collaboration across its supply chain to refine the design. The foldable iPhone is said to feature an "in-folding" structure—where the screen folds inward like a book. A recent rumor predicts the device will include a 5.49-inch external screen and a 7.74-inch internal display, offering a 'truly unprecedented' screen ratio and a hybrid design blending a foldable phone with a foldable tablet.


Apple's supply chain is taking shape alongside these advancements. The company plans to finalize its component suppliers by April, with mass production of materials and parts expected to kick off in the second half of 2025. Samsung Display is slated to provide the OLED panels exclusively, leveraging its experience as the first to successfully mass-produce foldable screens. Meanwhile, U.S.-based Corning is a frontrunner for the cover glass, and Amphenol, another American firm, is likely to supply the hinges.

If Apple sticks to its usual timeline—selecting final specs and suppliers a year ahead of launch—the foldable iPhone could hit the market in late 2026. This aligns with ETNews's projection of a second-half 2026 debut, marking Apple's entry into a foldable market currently dominated by Samsung, Huawei, and Oppo.

If it's able to erase the crease, Apple will differentiate its foldable from competitors, and set a new benchmark for the category. Other brands have made progress in reducing display wrinkles, none have been able to eliminate them entirely.

More details will emerge as Apple finalizes its plans in the coming months. For now, please download the iClarified app or follow iClarified on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and RSS for more updates!