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While reports continue to debate when Apple's first foldable iPhone Ultra will arrive, the device increasingly appears to be on track for a launch by the end of 2026. Now, a new industry report suggests Apple has approved Samsung Display to begin mass-producing OLED panels for the highly anticipated iPhone Ultra.
Samsung Display Starts Manufacturing OLED Panels for Apple's Foldable iPhone
According to a report from TheElec, Samsung Display has officially received approval to mass-produce the OLED displays for Apple's upcoming iPhone Fold. Samsung has reportedly begun the mass production of its crease-free displays in its manufacturing facilities in Vietnam.
The latest report suggests that Samsung is working towards fulfilling an order of approximately three million panels, which are scheduled to be delivered by the end of the year. To secure the approval from Apple, suppliers need to demonstrate a high standard of final assembly quality, with yields of at least 70%.
Samsung has reportedly cleared this with ease, achieving final yields exceeding 80%, thereby serving as one of the exclusive suppliers of OLED panels for the iPhone Ultra. Besides, internal sources have long since pointed out that Apple has signed a three-year-long contract with Samsung for OLED displays on the iPhone Fold.
Samsung Display's Vietnam unit will seemingly not break a sweat manufacturing 3 million units since it's well-equipped with 80 production lines. The panels are also expected to use Colour Filter on Encapsulation technology to remove the polariser, forming a filter directly on top of the display layer.
The display technology is reportedly Samsung's latest M16 OLED with significant upgrades over its predecessors in terms of power efficiency, colours and brightness.
Recently, there were reports of the foldable iPhone Ultra being delayed to 2027, but a newer Apple iPhone launch roadmap leak suggests that the iPhone Fold is only delayed until the end of 2026. With the iPhone 18 Pro launch closing in for September 2026, more information about the iPhone Fold should be unveiled at the event, so stay tuned.
