The iPhone smartphone maker is planning to release the first foldable device in the late 7-inch to early 8-inch range. The product launch is expected as early as 2026-2027.
Reportedly, it may replace the 8.3-inch iPad mini model, which is a tablet. Samsung Display and LG Display are known to have already sent samples of foldable panels in the late 6-inch and late 7-inch range, respectively, to Apple last year.
Regarding the late 7-inch to early 8-inch foldable product that Apple is considering, the industry is predicting that it will be a foldable iPhone or foldable iPad model. Product nature and specifications have not been finalized.
Samsung Display is known to be more active in developing Apple foldable panels than LG Display. Once mass production is decided, Samsung Display is expected to produce the foldable panel from the 6th generation A3 or A4 OLED line that produces iPhone OLED. In December of last year, Samsung Display carried out an organizational reorganization based on focusing its capabilities on responding to Apple’s foldable products and establishing an independent microdisplay team for extended reality (XR) devices.
