Apple Taps Samsung as Exclusive OLED Supplier for Foldable iPhone [Report]

A new report from Business Korea claims Apple has made a key decision for its rumored foldable iPhone, choosing Samsung Display as the exclusive supplier for the device's OLED panels. The much anticipated smartphone could launch as early as late next year, and this reported deal would notably leave competitors like LG Display and BOE out of the initial run.

The reason behind leaning solely on Samsung? Their established tech for minimizing screen creases appears to be the critical factor, according to the report. Samsung Display is apparently gearing up to start mass production either late this year or early in 2025. "For Apple, which prioritizes quality over price when selecting component suppliers, Samsung was the only viable choice," an industry insider mentioned, pointing to Samsung's half-dozen years working on foldable OLEDs since the first Galaxy Fold.

Details mentioned in the report paint a picture of the foldable iPhone potentially having a main screen around 7.8 inches – think iPad Mini size – complemented by a 5.5-inch external OLED. Pricing is speculated to land near the $2,000 mark, putting it head-to-head with Samsung's own Galaxy Z Fold line.


Choosing a single supplier is a bit unusual for Apple, which often uses multiple vendors to keep quality high and costs competitive. This exclusive arrangement looks set to significantly bolster Samsung Display's position in the foldable market. Their market share reportedly dipped to about 40% last year due to pressure from Chinese rivals, but fulfilling Apple's order could push that share back up towards the 70% range next year.

The exact number of panels Samsung will supply remains undecided. Still, industry sources in the report suggest Apple's demand could surpass initial estimates of 9 million units per year, possibly exceeding 15 million. This could shake up the foldable OLED market, which grew just 2.9% last year, according to Counterpoint Research, and draw strong interest from North American buyers.

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