Samsung to Supply OLED Panels for Foldable iPhone Under Exclusive Deal [Report]

A new report out of South Korea claims Samsung Display is gearing up to mass-produce the OLED panels for Apple's first foldable iPhone, and has reportedly landed an exclusive deal to supply the panels.

According to industry sources cited by ETNews, Samsung is setting up a dedicated production line for Apple's foldable panels at its A3 factory in Asan, South Korea. The facility is reportedly in its final stages of preparation and will have the capacity to produce approximately 15 million 7-inch foldable panels per year.


Apple is expected to launch its first foldable iPhone, featuring an in-folding design, in the second half of 2026. While initial industry estimates project production of 6 to 8 million units in the first year, Samsung's higher capacity is said to be in preparation for subsequent models. The move to a single supplier marks a notable shift from Apple's usual strategy of diversifying its vendors, but the Korean publication notes that the company's deep experience in successfully mass-producing foldable OLEDs was likely the deciding factor.

This development comes as Samsung just unveiled its own Galaxy Z Fold7, heating up the competition in the foldable market. The report also adds weight to claims we've seen before, including a previous article from Business Korea which also said Samsung had been tapped as the exclusive OLED supplier. Other rumors have indicated a foldable iPhone is expected in late 2026, with a prototype reportedly entering the testing phase in June.

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