iPhone Fold is getting closer: CES provides strong clues

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The iPhone Fold has been the subject of speculation for months. Although Apple continues to announce new products exclusively through its own presentations, suppliers and industry observers regularly provide new clues. At this year's CES in Las Vegas, a display surfaced that fits very well with the existing information about a foldable iPhone. It was showcased by Samsung, one of Apple's key display partners.

The Consumer Electronics Show is a key annual meeting place for the international tech industry. Manufacturers use the trade fair to showcase market-ready products as well as technical feasibility studies. Apple itself traditionally stays away from the event, but it is precisely there that hints about upcoming Apple products can often be found.

This year, SamMobile reports on a display that Samsung exhibited at the trade show and that could be directly related to the iPhone Fold.

Samsung unveils new foldable panel

Samsung established itself early in the foldable smartphone market with its Galaxy Z series. At CES 2026, the company showcased several foldable concepts, including a device with a multi-folding mechanism known as the Galaxy Z TriFold, which can be folded in two directions.

However, a particularly striking feature is a new foldable panel that Samsung is presenting separately. According to reports, this display has no visible crease whatsoever. To highlight the progress, Samsung is placing the new panel directly next to an unfolded Galaxy Z Fold 7.

While the fold line on the Galaxy Z Fold 7 is already very subtle, a vertical line remains visible in the center of the display from certain viewing angles. The new panel virtually eliminates this effect. Even when viewed from the side, the crease is no longer discernible.

Meaning for the iPhone Fold

The panel shown at CES is expected to be used in the upcoming Galaxy Z Fold 8, according to current estimates. At the same time, Samsung is considered one of the key contract manufacturers for the first foldable iPhone. This is precisely where the iPhone Fold becomes relevant.

Although Apple is collaborating with Samsung, it is apparently relying on its own developments in material processing, internal panel construction, and lamination. The goal is to create a foldable display that is indistinguishable from a traditional glass display in everyday use.

The virtually wrinkle-free panel that Samsung is showing at CES fits this claim perfectly and is considered a strong indication of how Apple's foldable device could be technically implemented.

iPhone Fold display size

New details have also emerged regarding the display size. The iPhone Fold is expected to offer a screen diagonal of between 7.5 and 7.8 inches when unfolded. The figures vary slightly depending on the source, but consistently fall within this range.

This would make the display slightly smaller than current Samsung foldables, but it would fit well into Apple's existing product portfolio. The size allows it to be used as a smartphone when closed and as a compact tablet when unfolded.

Clear indications of the maturity level of the iPhone Fold

The display presented at CES provides further concrete evidence of the iPhone Fold's development status. A virtually crease-free screen is considered one of the most important features for making foldable smartphones suitable for mass production.

Even though Apple itself hasn't made any statements, Samsung's developments clearly show that the technology is ready. Should the iPhone Fold be released as expected this fall, Apple could set a new standard for foldable devices and address a key criticism of previous models. (Image: SamMobile)