Samsung has actually confirmed the release of a foldable iPhone

The head of Samsung Display has announced the production of OLED panels for a North American customer. According to industry reports, the customer in question is Apple, which is preparing a foldable iPhone for release in 2026.

Samsung Display’s chief executive has confirmed that it will produce OLED panels for the North American customer.

What Samsung said

Samsung Display president Lee Jeong met with reporters and said that the company is producing OLED panels for a North American customer. Virtually all sources agree that it’s Apple we’re talking about. The panels are intended for the first foldable iPhone, which is scheduled to launch next year along with the iPhone 18 series.

Samsung Display’s Lee Chon met with reporters in North America and said the company is producing OLED panels for a North American customer.

New format in the iPhone lineup

According to insiders, the foldable iPhone will be positioned as a flagship model above the iPhone 18 Pro Max, rather than a separate lineup. This marketing move differs from Samsung’s strategy, which is releasing the Galaxy Z Fold as a standalone lineup.

The Galaxy Z Fold 8 will come out a few months before the foldable iPhone, while the Galaxy S26 will arrive even earlier. That said, Apple’s device is likely to be behind even the current Galaxy Z Fold 7 in terms of specs.

The Galaxy Z Fold 8 will be released months before the foldable iPhone, while the Galaxy S26 will arrive even earlier.

Why Apple delayed the release

Rumors of a foldable iPhone have been circulating for years, and one of the main obstacles was Apple’s desire to create a smartphone without a visible crease in the display. However, the company has had to abandon that goal in order to launch the product in 2026, according to supply chain information.