Apple Discusses Samsung's Vital Part in the iPhone Duo's Foldable Screen Development

Apple executives have openly addressed Samsung's contributions to the upcoming foldable device for the first time. This reveals fresh details about how both tech giants collaborated on the display architecture for Apple's anticipated hardware.

Inside the Custom Foldable Display Engineering

It has long been rumored that Apple's first foldable iPhone uses an OLED panel from Samsung Display. Now, for the first time, Apple has officially discussed the South Korean firm's involvement in the iPhone Duo's folding screen.

During an interview with YouTuber MrMobile (Michael Fisher), Rich Dinh (Apple's VP of Hardware Engineering) and JP Guillou (Senior Director of Display Technology) detailed how much of the iPhone Duo's foldable display is designed by Apple versus purchased directly from Samsung.

Dinh explained that Apple always starts with its own internal design goals and desired end-user experience before taking those requirements to manufacturing partners like Samsung. Even though the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and the iPhone Duo have similarly-sized foldable screens, their panels are not exactly the same.

Guillou explicitly noted that the iPhone Duo does not use a pre-built, off-the-shelf OLED panel from Samsung Display. Instead, it is a custom part built from the ground up to meet Apple's exact specifications, as standard OLED panels from vendors don't meet the company's strict requirements. Some reports claim that Apple has a three-year exclusive deal for iPhone Duo's foldable screen from Samsung Display.

The executives also discussed the iPhone Duo's durability (IP68 certification for dust and water resistance) and the decision to use an under-display camera (UDC) on the folding screen. Apple wanted to offer an expansive, uninterrupted view of the inner display, even if it meant sacrificing some camera quality.

While Samsung has utilized UDC cameras on previous Galaxy Z Fold phones, it hasn't yet managed to achieve an IP68 rating for foldables. Furthermore, while the standard Galaxy Z Fold 8 lacks Flex Mode, a feature reserved for the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, the iPhone Duo offers similar functionality.

The iPhone Duo uses a more aggressive matte finish on its foldable screen compared to the Galaxy Z Fold 8, a design choice it has made to make the crease look less visible. The Galaxy Z Fold 8 is substantially lighter and thinner, though. Samsung's foldable is also a lot cheaper, including when it comes to repairs.

Does the iPhone Duo use a standard Samsung screen?

No, Apple has confirmed that the device does not use an off-the-shelf panel. It is custom-engineered from the ground up to match Apple's unique specifications.

How does the iPhone Duo handle the screen crease?

Apple applies a more aggressive matte finish to the foldable display, which significantly minimizes the visible appearance of the crease compared to competing options.

Does the foldable iPhone feature water resistance?

Yes, the device achieves an IP68 certification rating for comprehensive dust and water resistance, setting a high durability benchmark for folding hardware.

Are there camera cutouts on the inner display?

Apple opted for an under-display camera system on the main folding panel to preserve an uninterrupted viewing area across the screen.

🔎 In conclusion, Apple's recent transparency regarding Samsung Display's manufacturing partnership sheds light on the intense engineering effort required to build modern foldable screens. By merging customized display tech with rigorous durability standards, both companies continue to shape the evolution of next-generation mobile devices.