Apple’s Foldable iPhone to Use Dual-Layer Glass Display to Minimize Screen Creases

Apple is preparing a dual-layer ultra-thin glass structure for the inner display of its first foldable iPhone in an effort to make the hinge crease far less visible than in rival devices, according to supply chain reports published Sunday.

Credit: fpt.

The technology combines layers of ultra-thin glass, or UTG, with ultra-thin flexible glass, or UFG, positioned between the OLED panel and the hinge mechanism.

This new setup by Apple distributes bending stress more evenly and reduces the risk of permanent deformation after repeated folds, a common issue in current foldables.

Reports add that the design may incorporate self-healing properties in the glass layers, allowing minor creases to smooth out gradually over time, similar to an approach already seen in Oppo’s Find N6.

A Weibo tipster Digital Chat Station, who has a track record on display supply chain information, notes that the panel sits between multiple protective glass layers rather than relying on a single thin sheet, a change aimed at long-term durability.

Samsung Display is supplying the underlying OLED panels with custom specifications for Apple, including laser-drilled micro-holes in the backplate that further spread mechanical stress.

Rumors suggest that this dual-layer UTG approach can cut visible creasing by roughly 20% compared with current Galaxy Z Fold models.

Apple is also evaluating a transparent polyimide film over the glass to enhance scratch resistance and prevent cracks, as it aims for a nearly crease-free display regardless of cost.

The site quotes industry sources stating the company developed a new material property that makes the crease disappear and describes the final result as nearly invisible when the device is unfolded.

Production measurements cited in the same reporting point to a crease depth of less than 0.15 millimeters and a crease angle below 2.5 degrees.

Additional Apple engineering elements include a structural glass mid-frame, a liquid-metal hinge component for greater resistance to deformation, and Lens Technology as the primary glass supplier using raw materials from Corning.

Samsung Display is scheduled to begin mass production of the panels in May 2026.

The device itself is expected to launch in September 2026 alongside the iPhone 18 series.

It will feature a book-style design with an inner display measuring approximately 7.8 inches and an outer cover display of about 5.5 inches.

The entire package is rumored to measure 4.5 millimeters thick when open and 9 to 9.5 millimeters when closed.

All specifications remain based on unverified supply chain leaks. Apple has made no official comment on the project or any display technology details.