Foldable phones may overcome their major issue in 2026, according to predictions
Revolutionary Investment in Foldable Display Technology for Smartphones
A significant stride towards the future of foldable display technology in smartphones has been made, with a multi-million dollar investment announced by South Korean firm Fine M-Tec. This investment is expected to have a profound impact on the quality and design of future foldable smartphones.
The new technology, which involves the use of laser-drilled metal plates, could potentially revolutionize the production of crease-free foldable displays. This is a significant development, as creases in foldable smartphones have been a persistent issue.
Ming-Chi Kuo, a noted analyst, has made predictions about the impact of Fine M-Tec's investment on the quality of folding phones. He anticipates that the investment will lead to higher, crease-free standards for the next generation of folding phones.
The use of metal plates in the new technology reduces pressure on the center of the phone, lessening the chance of plastic material creasing over time. This could potentially reduce costs in the manufacturing of foldable smartphone displays.
Fine M-Tec is a key supplier to Samsung Displays, which produces screens for foldable phones. It is predicted that the first Samsung phone to use the new technology will be the Samsung Galaxy Fold 8, expected in mid-2026.
The new technology's implementation could signal that foldable phones are moving towards mainstream adoption. In fact, Apple is anticipated to launch a foldable iPhone after the Samsung Galaxy Fold 8, possibly in September of the same year.
Crease-free foldable smartphone displays are expected to debut in 2026. The first foldable iPhone, anticipated to launch in the second half of 2026, is targeting a completely crease-free screen by using a laser-drilled metal plate underneath the AMOLED panel to disperse stress from bending. Samsung's next Galaxy Z Fold 8, also expected in 2026, will use the same crease-free display technology, marking a significant improvement over the current Galaxy Z Fold 7, which still has a visible crease but less pronounced than previous models.
Brands like Apple and Samsung are expected to debut crease-free foldable smartphones in 2026. Apple is launching its first foldable iPhone in late 2026 with a 7.8-inch inner crease-free foldable display, supplied by Samsung. Samsung, on the other hand, is expected to release the Galaxy Z Fold 8 in 2026, using the same crease-free laser-drilled metal plate display technology sourced from Fine M-Tec.
Other players like OnePlus and Motorola are advancing foldable designs but no confirmed crease-free launches are reported yet for 2025 or earlier. As bigger brands enter the foldable phone market, standards for these devices are expected to increase.
In summary, the first truly crease-free foldable smartphones are anticipated to arrive in 2026 from Apple and Samsung, leveraging new laser-drilled metal plate display technology to eliminate the fold crease. This development is poised to redefine the future of smartphone technology and user experience.
With the upcoming debut of crease-free foldable smartphones in 2026, consumers can expect advancements in display technology and a potential shift in the smartphone market. Moreover, the expected launch of a foldable iPhone by Apple and the next Galaxy Z Fold from Samsung, both in 2026, promises a significant enhancement in user experience by eliminating the fold crease using laser-drilled metal plates.
