Apple’s highly anticipated foldable iPhone, set to feature Samsung’s advanced OLED display, is looking to tackle one of the biggest challenges in foldable phone design: the dreaded crease. While the company has taken significant steps to minimize or even eliminate the crease, it won’t be an easy feat. Apple has enlisted Samsung to provide the crease-resistant display, but there’s still a risk that the crease might appear over time. 
To combat this, Apple has turned to Korean supplier Fine M-Tec for special metal plates, designed to absorb the stress from the bending display and reduce the chances of visible creases.
These metal plates will be attached using a precise laser drilling process, a technique that adds extra complexity-and cost. TF International Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo revealed in a recent blog post that Apple’s foldable iPhone could enter mass production in the second half of 2026. The metal plates, expected to cost $30-$35 each, will help mitigate stress on the foldable display, but they also come at a price. This additional cost could push the foldable iPhone’s retail price up to $2,000-$2,500, as Apple looks to tackle the display crease issue head-on.
The laser drilling process, required for attaching the metal plates, will further increase the cost, with Kuo noting that this could add $30-$35 per unit-more than the $20 it costs to etch the parts traditionally. This price hike comes on top of the premium expected for the foldable iPhone, which could be priced higher than most other smartphones on the market. Fine M-Tec will start supplying the metal plates in early 2026, just ahead of mass production, which is expected to begin later that year.
While some analysts, like Ross Young of Display Supply Chain Consultants, have pointed out that thicker, chemically treated front glass may also be required to address crease visibility, Apple’s decision to go with metal plates and laser drilling might offer a more effective solution. Regardless of the approach, it’s clear that this new foldable iPhone will come with a hefty price tag-but Apple fans may find it worthwhile if the crease issue is finally solved.