Samsung Display is preparing for a future where foldable iPhones become a much bigger part of Apple’s lineup. As one of Apple’s key OLED screen suppliers, the company is reportedly getting ready to scale up production to meet rising demand for multiple foldable iPhone models, including the widely rumored iPhone Fold and a clamshell-style device often referred to as the iPhone Flip.
A new report says Samsung Display is discussing a bigger capital expenditure plan focused on foldable OLED manufacturing equipment for its A4 factory in Asan, South Chungcheong Province, South Korea. If the decision moves forward, the investment could happen as early as Q2 2026. The goal would be to boost flexible OLED panel output by adding more backplane-related equipment, including thin film transistor (TFT) capacity, which is essential for producing advanced foldable displays at scale.
This isn’t Samsung Display’s first move aimed at Apple’s foldables. The company has already set up a dedicated foldable OLED production line at its A3 factory to support the first-generation iPhone Fold, which is expected to arrive in the second half of 2026. That A3 line is said to be capable of producing up to 15 million foldable OLED panels per year, sized around 7 inches, creating a strong foundation for Apple’s initial foldable push.
What the iPhone Fold is rumored to offer
While Apple hasn’t confirmed anything, current expectations paint a picture of a premium “passport-style” foldable iPhone designed around a wider inner screen. The iPhone Fold is rumored to feature an inner display around 7.7 inches, paired with a cover display around 5.4 inches. The main panel is expected to deliver a 2,713 x 1,920 resolution in a 4:3 aspect ratio, with improved scratch resistance on the inner screen compared to typical foldable panels today.
Other rumored highlights include a dedicated vapor chamber for cooling, a shift to side-mounted Touch ID instead of Face ID, and Apple’s A20 Pro chip. The device is also expected to come with 12GB of RAM and an in-house C2 5G modem.
On the camera side, the iPhone Fold is rumored to use a 48MP dual-camera setup on the rear, plus an in-display camera with a resolution of up to 24MP. Battery capacity is speculated to land in the 5,500–5,800mAh range, supporting the larger displays and power needs of a foldable form factor.
Pricing and availability expectations
The iPhone Fold is projected to launch in the second half of 2026, potentially as an eSIM-only model, with an estimated price around $2,399. As for early performance, first-year shipments are expected to fall somewhere between 7 million and 9 million units, signaling a sizable but still premium-focused rollout.
Why Samsung Display’s A4 investment matters for the iPhone Flip
The A4 factory expansion is also likely tied to Apple’s longer-term foldable roadmap, especially the rumored clamshell-style iPhone Flip. While concrete details on the Flip remain limited, it’s expected to arrive in 2027, potentially alongside a second-generation iPhone Fold. The clamshell design would likely target a lower price point than the book-style Fold, helping Apple reach a broader audience and increasing total foldable iPhone volume—exactly the kind of scenario that would require more foldable OLED capacity.
Taken together, Samsung Display’s reported planning suggests the foldable iPhone era may be moving from “prototype and limited launch” territory into real mass-production preparation. If Apple releases both a book-style Fold and a clamshell Flip in the coming years, the demand for high-quality foldable OLED panels could rise quickly—and suppliers appear to be getting ready now.
