Apple might finally join Samsung in the foldable phone market next year. Samsung's latest foldable phones, announced at Unpacked 2025, look better than ever, and one of Apple's main concerns has almost entirely been addressed by the latest Z Fold and Z Flip models.

According to many industry reports, Apple hasn't yet joined the foldable phone market mainly because the company doesn't like the foldable display crease. Until that issue is addressed, Apple may never release a foldable iPhone.

The good news for Apple is that Samsung and its suppliers kept working on solving this puzzle, and they're almost ready to meet Apple's demands.

In a recent paper, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo stated that Apple will not use its own display design but will instead employ Samsung Display's crease-free display solution for the first foldable iPhone.

The device is expected to enter production in the second half of 2026, and Apple reportedly chose Samsung's design to ensure stable mass production.

The issue of the display crease is caused by excessive stress upon bending the foldable screen. However, Samsung and its supply chain, including hinge manufacturer Fine M-Tec, have worked on solving this issue through a better hinge design and deeper integration with the foldable screen.

The latest Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Flip 7 boast the most creaseless foldable displays to date. Samsung Display and Fine M-Tec's efforts are almost good enough to satisfy Apple's demands.

Both Samsung Display and Fine M-Tec are expected to become Apple's main suppliers for foldable display tech and foldable hinges, respectively. However, Samsung Display will have to improve its manufacturing process to meet Apple's stricter crease-free display requirements.

At the moment, Samsung Display uses etching in the hinge manufacturing process. It's just one step away from perfection. Samsung will have to switch from etching techniques to laser drilling to create microstructures in the hinge that better guide the foldable screen's stress distribution and enhance crease resistance.

Although the laser drilling solution will be more expensive, it will improve the end product and may ensure a very lucrative contract with Apple.