The long-rumored Apple take on a foldable phone is finally expected to arrive later this year. The iPhone Fold (or possibly iPhone Ultra) has been in the rumor mill for more than a decade.
Apple reportedly refused to release a foldable iPhone until it could eliminate the display crease entirely. It seems the company has finally succeeded, and it’s all thanks to three distinct parts that make up the display.
As noted by Apple rumor aggregator Sam Kohl, the crease was solved through a combination of a new hinge, glass layers and a new kind of glue.
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We’ve reported on all three in the past; here’s how using the three technologies could make for a smoother display.
Surprisingly, rumors concerning a liquid metal hinge have circulated for a couple of years now. But the most recent report from January 2026 claims that Apple is using a titanium and liquid metal hinge in the iPhone Fold.
The hinge is supposed to be quite durable, capable of handling multiple lifetime bends. This means that even after thousands of bends, it should still be able to spread out the tension in the glass, reducing the crease.
The panel, reportedly built by Samsung Display, has a design entirely from Apple. It uses multiple layers of glass that again reduces tension, which stops the wrinkle.
It’ll be interesting to compare it to Samsung’s own creasless MONT Flex Display that appears to be metal-backed, not UTG. Currently, it’s suspected that Samsung will debut this new display on the Galaxy Z Fold 8 that should launch in July.
Redesigned display
The display panel itself is a big part of how Apple is combating the crease.
Various reports have revealed different aspects of the panel that could all contribute to eliminating the crease. For one, it’s supposed to feature layers of ultra-thin glass (UTG) with variable thicknesses.
At the center, where it bends the most, it will be thinner to improve bendability. Further out toward the edges, the panel is supposed to be thicker for impact resistance.
Sophisticated glue
A recent report that dropped in April claimed that the iPhone Fold will utilize a sophisticated glue called optically clear adhesive (OCA). OCA is supposed to remain liquid enough that it fills in microscopic gaps that would normally contribute to making visible creases.
Per the report, the crease is caused by fatigue stress that affects the glass as it folds and unfolds, which can cause the deformation. OCA helps by distributing the stress and allows the glass to be thinner, which improves its bendability.
“Its micro-flow characteristics also allow it to fill microscopic irregularities formed over long-term use, reducing light scattering and further minimizing the visible crease.”
iPhone Fold release and price
Every current rumor points to a September release date alongside the iPhone 18 Pro or iPhone 18 Pro Max models. Once released, it’s predicted that Apple will immediately dominate the foldable market.
However, we can’t overlook that the iPhone Fold (or Ultra) is supposed to have a $2,000+ price tag. Samsung’s own Z Fold series is already too expensive, starting at $1,999, but Apple might finally get people to eat the cost for a premium foldable phone.
It’ll also require quality software. We might get a taste of how things work when Apple reveals iOS 27 during WWDC 2026 in June.
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