Apple to Make More Foldable iPhones Than Expected [Updated]

Apple has ordered 22 million OLED panels from Samsung Display for the first foldable iPhone, signaling a significantly larger production target than the display industry had previously anticipated, ET News reports.

Foldable iPhone 2023 Feature 1
In the now-seemingly deleted report, ET News claimed that Samsung plans to mass-produce 11 million inward-folding OLED displays for Apple next year, as well as 11 million accompanying external displays. With Samsung Display serving as the exclusive supplier of these components, the production plan implies that Apple's own target output for the first-generation foldable ‌iPhone‌ is in the range of 10 million finished devices, since suppliers usually produce more components than Apple needs to account for yield and quality variations.

This production plan is more than 30% higher than initial industry expectations, which placed early foldable ‌iPhone‌ shipments between six million and eight million units. Those earlier estimates were based on the historical performance of the global foldable smartphone market, which has hovered just above 20 million units annually.

The report reiterated that the device is expected to feature a book-style, inward-folding design with a 5.35-inch external display and a 7.58-inch folding internal display. It is believed to contain an advanced hinge design and specialized material properties to minimize the crease in the folding display.

Apple reportedly plans to adopt Color Filter on Encapsulation (COE), a method that removes the traditional polarizer layer and integrates its functionality directly into the OLED stack. Eliminating the polarizer can reduce thickness and improve brightness. The device is also rumored to incorporate an Under Display Camera (UDC), allowing the internal display to achieve a more seamless full-screen appearance without a punch hole or visible camera cutout.

The first foldable ‌iPhone‌ is expected to launch next year alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and ‌iPhone 18‌ Pro Max.

Update: A PR agency representing Samsung Display told MacRumors that the claim it "plans to produce 11 million OLED units next year for Apple's foldable ‌iPhone‌" does not reflect the facts.

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Top Rated Comments

contacos Avatar
3 days ago at 10:06 am

2020 Apple: People will love small iPhones, let's mass produce them!

2022 Apple: People will love big iPhones, let's mass produce them!

2025 Apple: People will love thin iPhones, let's mass produce them!

2026 Apple: People will love foldable iPhones, let's mass produce them!

Apple doesn't seem to learn
So what do you want them to do? Just release the same heavy brick with a slightly better camera for eternity?
Score: 29 Votes (Like | Disagree)
the 12th Doctor Avatar
3 days ago at 10:01 am
They may as well. For all the people on here that claim they won’t buy it, I feel they will.
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
MacUserFella Avatar
3 days ago at 10:01 am
2020 Apple: People will love small iPhones, let's mass produce them!

2022 Apple: People will love big iPhones, let's mass produce them!

2025 Apple: People will love thin iPhones, let's mass produce them!

2026 Apple: People will love foldable iPhones, let's mass produce them!

Apple doesn't seem to learn
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
chazwatson Avatar
3 days ago at 10:08 am

So what do you want them to do? Just release the same heavy brick with a slightly better camera for eternity?
He will complain no matter what.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
turbineseaplane Avatar
3 days ago at 10:03 am
iPhone Flip!
Give me a flip please!!



Attachment Image
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
tagsaid Avatar
3 days ago at 10:03 am
Been waiting for this since Samsung announced their first foldable back in ~2019. I only updated to the iPhone 14 Pro because my iPhone X broke.

BRING IT!
And to all those who don't see the point in this "foldable", all I will say is, I want it because I want it. A Gimmick that I don't need just like 3 cameras, wireless charging and magsafe, but to which I have found use for all.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)