Apple’s upcoming foldable iPhone could take a unique approach to fixing the screen crease

Apple is known to take its time when adopting new technology on its devices. Whether it was the OLED screen or the 120Hz refresh rate, the Cupertino giant was a few years behind Android manufacturers. However, the company always tries to improve implementation and make the technology even more useful.

According to Chinese tipster Digital Chat Station (DCS)Apple is currently experimenting with ultra-thin, flexible lenses of variable thickness for the main screen of its so-called foldable glasses. Although the company faces technical challenges in eliminating the crease, it is on the right track and could produce a wrinkle-free foldable product by 2026.

Apple spends more time on its foldable display than anyone else

The company is said to be exploring a more complex, multi-layered, ultra-thin glass structure than what we’re used to seeing in current-generation foldable products. The company could pair it with a redesigned hinge and sub-display support plate. Together, these components reduce tension on the fold area, resulting in a fold that is significantly less visible.

However, Apple’s ambitions don’t end with a new foldless foldable tablet. The company spends a lot of time and resources developing a material solution that is wrinkle-free when new, and that avoids deep creases after thousands of folds, that is, after a few years of owning the phone. However, the pursuit of perfection takes a long time.

Although modern foldable smartphones like the Galaxy Z Fold 7 are closer to conventional smartphones than ever, there is one aspect that lets them down: the crease in the screen and the long-term durability of the device. Well, Apple’s somewhat strategic approach addresses these concerns head-on.

While the price of Apple’s first foldable product may not put it in the hands of the masses, it could very well be the first foldable tablet to offer a crease-free screen in a much more durable chassis than we’re used to. If you’re planning to purchase a foldable product that comes without a screen, be prepared by September 2026 with a heart full of excitement (and a wallet full of money).

However, if Apple doesn’t find the right balance between components and folding, it could delay the iPhone Fold until 2027. In the meantime, Apple is working with Samsung to deliver iPhone notifications on a Galaxy smartwatch, if that’s what you’re interested in.