Why Apple Is Obsessing Over the iPhone Fold’s Screen
News Desk
Islamabad: Apple’s long-rumoured foldable iPhone is reportedly moving closer to production, with new details suggesting the company is prioritising display durability as its key point of competition against Samsung’s established foldable lineup.
Industry watchers say speculation has now shifted from whether Apple will launch a foldable iPhone to how it plans to differentiate the device, particularly in protecting the foldable display, one of the biggest challenges in the segment.
Built-In Screen Protection at the Core
According to a report cited by 9to5Mac and Korea’s The Elec, Apple is developing a foldable display that includes a built-in screen protector, designed to offer enhanced hardness and scratch resistance.
Unlike external screen protectors—which can be difficult to apply on foldable panels, Apple’s default protective layer would be integrated directly into the display structure. Analysts say this could improve long-term durability while reducing user-related damage.
Materials That Go Beyond Samsung’s Approach
The reports indicate that Apple is exploring materials stronger than those currently used in Samsung’s foldable phones.
Samsung’s latest foldables, including the Galaxy Z Fold series, rely on polyethylene terephthalate (PET) layers above the ultra-thin glass (UTG). Apple, while expected to use PET as well, is reportedly adding an extra layer of transparent polyimide (PI) film for additional protection.
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“Apple’s consideration of transparent PI film as a protective layer over the UTG, unlike Samsung Electronics, appears to be a differentiation strategy,” the 9to5Mac report noted. An industry insider cited in the report said PI film, though more expensive than PET, offers higher surface hardness and improved scratch resistance.
Learning From Samsung’s Long Road
Samsung spent several generations refining the durability of its foldable devices, addressing issues related to screen creases, hinge wear, and susceptibility to dust and moisture. Apple, analysts say, appears determined to avoid early missteps by taking a more conservative and materials-driven approach for its first foldable device.
Foldable phones present unique engineering challenges, including hinge durability, water and dust ingress, and maintaining display thinness without sacrificing strength—areas where Apple is reportedly unwilling to compromise on a first-generation product.
What Comes Next
The iPhone Fold is reportedly on track for a 2026 launch, aligning with earlier industry expectations. If the initial model proves successful, Apple is also said to be considering a flip-style foldable as a future addition to its product lineup.
While Samsung continues to dominate the foldable market, Apple’s emphasis on display durability suggests the company is positioning its first foldable iPhone not as an experiment—but as a direct challenge to the category leader.
