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Is Apple Betting Big on Samsung to Save Its Foldable iPhone Dream?

Apple’s foldable future hinges on an unlikely ally: its fiercest rival. In a surprising move, Apple has reportedly tapped Samsung Display as the exclusive OLED supplier for its first foldable iPhone, expected in late 2025. This decision sidelines competitors like LG and BOE, cementing Samsung’s dominance in foldable screen tech. But with a rumored $2,000 price tag and production targets up to 15 million units, can this partnership deliver the iPhone’s next big revolution—or will it backfire? Let’s dive in.

📉 The Foldable Dilemma: Why Apple Can’t Go It Alone

Apple’s late entry into the foldable market comes with high stakes. Here’s why Samsung deal matters:

Crease Crisis: Samsung’s ability to minimize screen creases—a major flaw in current foldables—reportedly sealed the deal. Competitors like BOE and LG couldn’t match this tech.
Market Share Wars: Samsung’s foldable OLED dominance dropped to 40% in 2023. This deal could catapult it to 70% by 2025 as Apple’s demand surges.
Production Gamble: Apple initially planned 9 million units but may now target 15 million+—a bold bet for a first-gen product priced like a luxury car.
iPad Mini Rival: The 7.8-inch internal display matches the iPad Mini’s size, blurring lines between phones and tablets.

✅ Samsung’s Playbook: How This Deal Changes Everything

Apple’s gamble could reshape the foldable market:

✅ Crease-Free Future: Samsung’s proprietary OLED tech addresses the #1 user complaint about foldables.
✅ Scale Mastery: Mass production starts late 2024/early 2025, leveraging Samsung’s existing infrastructure for Galaxy Z Fold screens.
✅ Price Parity: At ~$2,000, Apple directly challenges Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold while justifying premium pricing with iOS integration.
✅ Ecosystem Play: A 5.5-inch external screen could make this the ultimate hybrid device—phone, tablet, and portable workstation.

person holding white android smartphone — Photo by Daniel Romero / Unsplash

⚠️ Hidden Risks: Why This Marriage Could Get Messy

Not everyone’s celebrating this alliance:

🚧 Supplier Monopoly: Relying solely on Samsung leaves Apple vulnerable to production delays or pricing disputes.
⚠️ Self-Competition: Samsung now supplies screens to its biggest foldable rival—while selling its own Galaxy Z Fold.
🚧 BOE’s Revenge: China’s display giant could undercut prices if it cracks crease-free tech, tempting Apple to diversify later.
⚠️ Consumer Skepticism: Will iPhone loyalists pay $2,000 for a first-gen foldable when Android alternatives cost much less?

🚀 Final Thoughts: A High-Stakes Game of Tech Chess

This partnership is a double-edged sword:

📈 Win Scenario: Samsung’s proven tech helps Apple avoid early foldable flops (looking at you, Pixel Fold).
📉 Lose Scenario: Production hiccups or consumer apathy could turn this into another AirPower debacle.

Ultimately, Apple needs Samsung more than it’d like to admit. But with foldables projected to grow 50% annually through 2027, the payoff could be historic. Will you ditch your slab phone for a $2,000 foldable iPhone—or is this a bend too far?

Let us know on X (Former Twitter)

Sources: Nauman Khan. Breaking News: Apple Foldable iPhone Will Feature Only Samsung OLEDs, April 15, 2025. https://finance.yahoo.com/news/breaking-news-apple-foldable-iphone-160742680.html